Eastlake Connections Local Lifestyle NEWS - DEC 2021

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Connections December 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

Walking Chula Vista neighborhoods at night is a magical Christmas light show!

See pages 12-13 for more of the local Christmas spirit.

Camille Bruno specializes in all aspects of real estate sales- buying, selling, or relocating.

619-818-3556 • camille@camillebruno.com

DRE#01273092

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

SUPPORT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK, WILDERNESS IN OUR BACKYARD The holiday season is here, and we’re excited that we can safely visit loved ones and breathe a collective sigh of relief that the most difficult days of the pandemic may be behind us. We’re also pleased that November 2021 marked the return of many of Mission Trails’ programs.

Though the last 20 months have been tumultuous, a bright spot through it all has been the rambling peaks and valleys of Mission Trails Regional Park. It has been a source of support to area residents, offering respite and connection, and a safe place to meet with family and friends to experience nature.

For the MTRP Foundation to continue to advocate for the park and raise funds to preserve, protect, and enhance Mission Trails, as well as offer enriching programming, we need your generous support.

And, there are special incentives for giving: • All donations will be matched, $1 for $1, up to $30,000 if made before December 31, 2021.

• The first 200 donors who make a gift of $100+, or a recurring monthly gift of $10 or more, will receive a FREE Mission Trails Regional Park calendar as a reminder of the impact you’re making every month.

• The CARES Act offers special tax incentives; contact your tax advisor to LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

learn how the CARES Act can benefit you and MTRP. Whether you’ve been a park user for decades, discovered Mission Trails more recently, or simply love the fact that you live near a nature preserve, you understand that this historic site and gem of the San Diego region needs to be supported /LocalUmbrellaMedia

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and protected. Please show your commitment to Mission Trails by making an online donation at www.mtrp.org. You can also print a form out from our website and send it in to the Visitor Center or come down to the Visitor Center between 9am5pm daily to make your gift in person.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

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IN SENIOR WOMEN’S BASKETBALL LEAGUE, LOVE OF THE GAME NEVER GETS OLD Scores of players, some in their 80s or 90s, relish the sense of community, thrill of competition and sisterhood of team athletics

BY SOUMYA KARLAMANGLA

The sounds spilling from the gym suggested an ordinary basketball game: tennis shoes squeaking against a slick court, hollow thumps of a ball, a referee’s shrill whistle.

But inside was a rare tableau. Older women, some in their 80s and 90s, hustled to pass, steal and shoot. They dribbled and wove skillfully as they sprinted toward the basket.

Kirsten Cummings, a former professional basketball player, recalled the first time she walked into this YMCA in San Diego’s Mission Valley neighborhood.

“There’s this group of women who were playing and I was so mesmerized by them. They were 75 years old,” Cummings said. “I got goose bumps.”

This is the San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association, one of the largest leagues in the nation for women 50 or older. California’s second-biggest city is home to several senior sports teams and hosts the San Diego Senior Games, which draws thousands of competitors from across the state for an Olympics-style event each year.

“We’re very outdoor-oriented, fitness-oriented, so it was a natural thing that Senior Games would flourish here,” said Cummings, who grew up in San Diego and now oversees the event. “San Diego has people who don’t think twice about learning basketball at the age of 79.”

On a recent Sunday morning, I chatted on the YMCA court sideline with Marge Carl, who has played in the women’s league since it was founded in the mid1990s.

Carl, now 92, wore a blue jersey that matched her bright eyes. Her team, the Splash, which is for women 80 or older, was scheduled to compete in 45 minutes.

The league includes 75 women across 13 teams, roughly grouped by skill level, who face off every Sunday. The games are 3-on-3 for 30 minutes on a half court.

Carl, like most of the women here, came of age before Title IX, the 1972 civil rights law that significantly increased opportunities for women to participate in school sports. So she did not learn how to play basketball until her 60s.

But that is kind of her style. She graduated from college in her seventh decade.

She retired well into her 80s.

Carl pointed to her temple and warned me, “This doesn’t die unless you let it.”

For her 90th birthday, she went skydiving: “There was a man strapped to my back. How bad could it be?”

Newbies to the basketball league learn to guard and rebound in its rookie training program. And once on a team, playLOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

Marge Carl, 92, of the Splash, shoots against Young at Heart, another San Diego team, during a San Diego Senior Women’s Basketball Association game in Mission Valley. The senior league offers community and competition for women 50 or older.

(John Francis Peters / The New York Times)

ers might have 40 years or more to finetune their skills.

“San Diego has people who don’t think twice about learning basketball at the age of 79.”

KIRSTEN CUMMINGS, COACH OF THE SPLASH TEAM Cummings, who has coached the Splash as a volunteer, said she was initially surprised by the older women’s desire to improve. She once slept through a practice and was reprimanded by a player in her 80s.

“I’ll tell you, I never missed practice after that,” Cummings said. “The more I coached them the more I got to see past that facade of, you know, they’re sweet old ladies. No, these are serious senior athletes.”

The league also thwarts the slow creep of loneliness that comes with aging.

Carl told me that her childhood friends have died. Other women have outlived their spouses by decades. Their children are often consumed with the responsibilities of their own families.

But these teammates meet on the court several times a week. Players have officiated one another’s weddings and taken trips together.

Carl nodded toward a younger woman lacing up her sneakers. This year, she drove Carl to her COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

“They are the sisterhood,” Carl told me.

Currently, the league’s oldest member is 95, but she was recovering from sur/LocalUmbrellaMedia

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gery when I visited. Other players were sidelined with injuries or medical conditions that have worsened over the years.

The physical toll of aging is rendered in stark relief on the court.

Marianne Hall, 86, coached women’s high school basketball when Title IX was being rolled out. But she had not played on a team herself until the 1990s, when her friend told her about San Diego’s newly created league.

“I don’t jump anymore,” Hall recalled saying.

“None of us jump,” the woman replied.

When games ceased last year because of the coronavirus pandemic, Hall wondered whether she was too old to return.

She worries about falling. Though the league now has a vaccine requirement, many players have not come back since practice started up again in June.

But Hall, who recently became a great-grandmother, wore her headband and jersey that Sunday morning. She was ready to play.

At noon, women scurried onto the court for the next game, between Hall’s and Carl’s teams.

Players, many in masks, passed the ball quickly among one another. Some tried to intercept and block shots.

Within minutes, Carl grabbed hold of the ball. She lifted her arms and heaved it toward the basket.

Swoosh.

This article first appeared in The New York Times.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

HEADED HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

Ensuring Your Aging Loved Ones are Safe & Well Cared For! Bags packed and headed home for the holidays this year? Many will be f lying or driving the miles to visit family and old friends this holiday season.

But how long has it been since you’ve seen your aging loved ones?

If you are visiting an aging loved one for the holidays and haven’t seen them for a while, there are four main areas you will want to pay special attention to.

Physical Environment Someone’s physical space or environment can tell you a lot about what’s going on in their lives.

How does home look when you get there?

What does it smell like?

Does it appear clean and tidy?

Are there tripping hazards present (throw rugs, electrical cords, etc.)? My mother keeps her home clean and tidy, yet she is a huge fan of throw rugs. She has small dogs and tells me the rugs are more for the dogs than they are for her.

Either way, throw rugs are one of the primary causes of falls in the home.

How does the exterior of the home look?

Is the place falling into disrepair? Our homes are typically one of our biggest investments so keeping the home in good repair – inside and out – benefits not only the person living there but the initial investment put into the home (which has likely skyrocketed in today’s housing market).

Is there adequate lighting if your loved one were to go outside after dark?

Does your loved one still possess the things you are used to seeing when you have visited previously? A family member of my client started noticing that every time they visited, more and more pieces of art were missing. Where once there was a mantle full of hand carved pieces of artwork, the number of pieces were slowly dwindling with no explanation or recollection of where they had gone or who they may have been given to.

Mental/Emotional State Having conversations with your aging loved ones can help to uncover what may be going on for them mentally.

Has your loved one forgotten your spouse’s name or the names of your kids?

I had a client tell me that he called his mother on the phone and instead of asking how each grandchild was doing, she asked him “how is your family?” This occurred as odd to him at the time, but once he started putting the pieces together, he finally realized that his mother was in the beginning stages of dementia.

Are they forgetting to take their medication(s) as prescribed? Having a medication box is a great way to tell if someone is taking their medication as directed.

Are they showered and wearing clean clothes or is the bathroom – particularly the bathtub – being used as extra storage?

When a client of mine finally let me into LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

her home, I asked to use the bathroom. I found she was using the tub/shower enclosure for storing paper towels, toilet paper and garbage bags full of clothing. There was no way she had been using the tub or shower. I now understood her lack of personal hygiene and found the right kind of help for her.

Have they given up arts, crafts, or hobbies they used to love to do? It could be a matter or physicality, or it could be more of a mental issue…or a combination.

Especially during the pandemic, the focus on mental health and how damaging social isolation can be to one’s mental and physical health cannot be overlooked nor taken lightly.

Physical Abilities While home for the holidays, keep a close eye on how your aging loved one is doing physically.

Are they having increased difficulty sitting down or standing up?

Do they have stairs in the home they are afraid to navigate? My great aunt lived in an older home and at a certain stage of her aging (and moderate dementia), she stopped going downstairs. The only issue with this was her washer and dryer were downstairs. This meant she was no longer doing her own laundry, which explained why her bed sheets were so dirty.

Are they still using that old step stool to reach items being stored in high places?

Perhaps it’s time to find alternate storage options.

Is personal hygiene becoming an issue?

This will especially be noticeable if your aging loved one is becoming incontinent of bladder and/or bowel. Skin breakdown, due to prolonged contact with urine or feces, can become a very serious and life-threatening matter if left unnoticed or unattended.

Does your loved one have unexplained bruising on their body? Often the person can neither remember how or where they got the bruising, or they have been falling and have been afraid to share that with you.

Nutritional Status Malnutrition in our aging adult popula/LocalUmbrellaMedia

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tion is on the rise. According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, up to half of all adults 65 years and older are at risk for malnutrition. And malnutrition is the “leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among older adults.” Malnutrition in our aging population has various causes, many of which overlap with the person’s physical abilities and mental capacity.

Is your aging loved one mentally able to plan, shop for and cook nutritious meals each day? Often, a simple look through the refrigerator or glance at what’s in the garbage can alert you to how well your loved one is eating – or not. Prepackaged and highly processed foods are often eaten by seniors because of their convenience. But the downsides to these prepackaged and “convenient” foods are numerous and often dangerous (high levels of sodium and trans fats, contain high fructose corn syrup and/or high amounts of sugar, levels, and additives like aspartame, monosodium glutamate, and nitrates/nitrites). Any foods with the words “low fat”, “low carb” or “heart healthy” should be an immediate red f lag; it means that fat, carbohydrates, and other real foods have been eliminated and replaced with chemicals and chemically derived additives.

With a bit of observation and some meaningful conversation with your aging loved one, you can help to ensure they are aging safely. Enjoy this joyous holiday season, hug your loved ones often and remember that our aging population is a precious gift that we have the privilege of knowing and listening to, if only we take the time.

Happy Holidays to all!

Aging Well Partners empower aging adults in finding vetted and trusted resources and services that meet their specific needs.

Local partners Certified Senior Advisors™ FREE SERVICE Call us to get started (619) 789-1839 agingwellpartners.com

References https://www.eatrightpro.org /news-center/ in-practice/dietetics-in-action/adult-and-seniormalnutrition

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

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REAL LIFE. REAL PEOPLE. REAL STORIES. Kandi’s mom was no longer safe living alone.

Her mom needed memory care, had a house to sell and a lifetime of belongings to sort through.

Kandi called Aging Well Partners for help.

Aging Well Partners empower aging adults in finding vetted and trusted resources and services that meet their specific needs.

Local partners.

Certified Senior Advisors™.

FREE SERVICE Call us to get started.

(619) 789-1839

agingwellpar tners.com

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

SAN DIEGO OASIS,

A Center of Learning and Engagement for Today’s Older Adult

At this time of year, our thoughts turn to those we love, including the older adults in our lives. Concerned about isolation and loneliness, San Diego Oasis is an award-winning nonprofit that provides programs to encourage older adults aged 50 to 100 years “young” to continue learning, to stay healthy and to give back to their communities. Oasis offers over 3,000 lifelong learning classes

in combination of in-person and virtual venues as well as an intergenerational literacy tutoring program where Oasis members are paired with an at-risk, low-income elementary school student to improve reading, comprehension and self-esteem.

Efforts are made each day to ensure that every older adult can thrive, no matter their condition, situation, culture or economics.

Over 35 years ago, our founder, Marylen Mann had a vision to change the way people view aging.

As an educator in St. Louis who was always thinking ahead, she toured several senior centers in the area, and realized that the available centers did not fit her image of retirement activities. She wanted something more and the Oasis idea was born. Marylen wanted an atmosphere of learning and giving back. One of the founders of The May Company, a national department store chain based in St. Louis offered space in their stores where Marylen could create a program for seniors that would include classes and activities that

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were stimulating and would encourage peer to peer engagement.

Eventually, Oasis became a national brand, establishing chapters in a number of cities in the United States where dedicated staff and volunteers created curriculum and an atmosphere of learning.

Several years later, Marylen created an Intergenerational Tutoring program that paired older adults with at-risk, low-income elementary school students in Title One schools to improve reading, comprehension and self-esteem. Referred to as the “grandparent effect” in San Diego Oasis, it has become a program that is available in almost 100 schools throughout the County, impacting hundreds of students and providing purposeful engagement for older adults, who volunteer one hour per week for an entire school year with the same student.

Opened in 1987, today, San Diego Oasis is an award-winning nonprofit operating a number of important and impacting programs that help older adults to thrive. President and CEO, @LocalUmbrellaMedia

Simona Valanciute, a seasoned leader who spent thirteen years as an executive at the San Diego Foundation and a team of professionals are working to forge a direction of expansion based on the changing needs of the “new” senior. In other words, the older adult or “senior” as they used to be called, is demanding stimulation, engagement, new and interesting topics of learning and activities and practical teaching to gain new skills. Classes include topics of technology, financial literacy, health & wellness, exercise & dance, history & humanities, arts & crafts, theater and so much more. Several times a year, Oasis offers concentrated presentation events such as their annual Get Connected: Technology Fair for 50+, a multi-day interactive set of presentations filled with useful information about tech tools and skills to improve quality of life.

A recent addition, opening in February 2022 at the Oasis headquarters location in La Mesa, is a partnership with Cox Communi-

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cations. As the appetite continues to grow for more technology learning, Oasis created a concept with Cox called the Cox Tech Tank, situated in the lobby of their headquarters to showcase new tech tools, offer hands-on opportunities to try new products and to bring personal devices for help. Called “Ask the Expert”, staff and volunteers will be on hand to help older adults navigate their own devices, answering questions and providing show-and-tell sessions one-on-one or in small groups.

With the onset of the pandemic, it became clear that Oasis needed to reach older adult audiences that were isolated and lonely because they had no technology tools or skills to engage. Oasis created a program called Bridging the Digital Divide, working with low-income senior living facilities and organizations that work with low-income older adult communities. Thanks to a number of funders including The San Diego Foundation, SDG&E, The Matthews Foundation, Gary & Mary West Foundation, San Diego Rotary 33, Stafford Memorial Fund, Kaiser Foundation, Harrah’s Rincon, North County Covid19 Recovery Fund, San Marcos Covid Community Fund, and others, Oasis has been able to provide a technology package that includes a tablet, free internet, in-person training and access to Oasis classes. So far, the program has helped over 700 low-income older adults to learn technology skills, engage with doctors using telehealth, communicate with family and friends, and take classes to advance learning. The demand for technology learning continues to be huge, not only among this population, but generally among older adults.

Oasis is constantly growing to meet this demand.

The future for San Diego Oasis is exciting as it continues to grow to meet the evolving needs of older adults. In the Fall of 2022, they will open a brand-new, cutting-edge center of learning and engagement in Rancho Bernardo where they have purchased a building thanks to generous donors. This center will take the organization to a new level of outreach, providing additional classes, expanded activities and information as well as a much larger technology center called the Oasis Innovation Center. A oneof-a-kind center of technology, it will showcase brand new products from a number of large tech companies, offer mini classes in tech learning, engage researchers to learn more about the tech needs of older adults and provide tech help for our membership.

For more information about how you can be involved at San Diego Oasis and to lend your support, go to www.sandiegooasis.org or contact Jolyn Parker at 858-3530430 or jolyn@sandiegooasis.org.

As a nonprofit, we appreciate your donations.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

COLORADO IS “EL DORADO”….GOLDEN Photos and text by Down Sebaugh

Just outside Denver, under the beautiful, picturesque foothills in the city of the Golden, Colorado is a unique and festive Mexican Restaurant named El Dorado (Spanish for “The Golden).

Known as “Golden’s Best Kept Secret” and winner of numerous “Best of the Best” awards over the years, this family owned and operated treasure has been serving authentic, made-fromscratch Mexican food based on their grandmother’s recipes since 2008,. With El Dorado’s amazing food, to-die-for strawberry mango margaritas and outdoor patios, this is one place not to miss on your next trip. The owner and staff make everyone feel like old friends, which is why I must have eaten there 7 or 8 times during my recent 10 day trip. It’s great to have some of the very best smothered spicy Colorado Mexican food and I’ll be back next time I visit for sure!. The owners also have a 2nd restaurant in nearby Lakewood … Max’s Mexican Restaurant.

Take a tour of Golden After you enjoy a fabulous meal at El Dorado, take in more of the stunning sights and sounds or beautiful Golden which is rich with culture, outdoor activities, scenic beauty, thriving businesses, and friendly people. The city’s origins are largely thanks to another valuable resource – gold. A small amount of gold discovered in Clear Creek attracted the area’s earliest settlers in the mid-19th century and Golden City quickly became an important supply stop for gold miners seeking their fortunes in the adjacent mountains. Farmers soon discovered the rich soil in the valley that is now home to the Coors complex, and Golden City further swelled as coal mining and clay extraction industries settled in the area, utilizing the region’s ample natural resources. Golden City became the capital of the federally recognized Colorado Territory in 1862, and the territorial

legislature met from 1862 to 1867 in the building that is now home to the Old Capitol Grill restaurant.

By the end of the 1860s, Golden City had been elected the seat of Jefferson County and the capital of the provisional Jefferson Territory.

Locals were outraged when neighboring Denver snagged the honor of becoming capital of the newly formed state in 1876, but the loss of name distinction did nothing to dampen Golden’s vital growth – business was booming. Today, with the official name of City of Golden, the town continues to thrive.

It offers residents and visitors an abundance of recreational, cultural and culinary opportunities. Come live, work and play with us in our modern town with an old west flair.

Clear Creek Canyon Clear Creek is a tributary of the South Platte River, approximately 66 miles long, in north central Colorado in the United States. The

creek flows through Clear Creek Canyon in the Rocky Mountains directly west of Denver, descending through a long gorge to emerge at the town of Golden, finally ending in the Colorado Eastern Plains where it joins the South Platte.

Lookout Mountain and Buffalo Bill’s Grave Lookout Mountain is a foothill of the Rocky Mountains.

The 7,377-foot peak is located in Lookout Mountain Park, 1.7 miles (2.7 km) west of downtown Golden. Known for its natural scenery, Lookout Mountain has played a major role in area recLOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

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reation, transportation, water supply and telecommunications over the years. Its earliest known inhabitants were the Ute tribe of American Indians, who used the mountain as a lookout point for the surrounding region. Downtown Denver, only 12 miles to the east, can be seen clearly from the mountain.

The summit is also famous as the gravesite of William Frederick “Buffalo Bill” Cody. The Buffalo Bill Museum and Grave, a facility owned and operated by the City and County of Denver, exists to preserve the memory of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. To this end,

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colors for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad.

The Depot Museum houses the museum’s two changing gallery spaces featuring the colorful stories of the railroads serving Colorado for over 125 years. Guests can view introductory videos to the museum in the museum’s upper gallery and enjoy hands-on activities downstairs in the museum’s lower gallery.

Colorado Railroad Museum The main Museum building, completed in 1959, resembles an 1880-era small town railroad depot. Typical architectural features include wide eaves to protect waiting passengers from weather, and large bay windows so the station agent can observe activity on the boarding platforms. The yellow and brown paint ref lects standard building

it maintains the Cody gravesite and related structures on Lookout Mountain Park; collects, cares for and interprets artifacts associated with “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s life and times between 1846 and 1917, and records Cody’s ongoing influence on American culture. The museum overlooks beautiful Golden, Colorado.

COORS BREWING COMPANY The Coors Brewing Company started as an American brewery and beer company in Golden, Colorado. In 2005, Adolph Coors Company, the holding company that owned Coors Brewing, merged with Molson, Inc. to become Molson Coors. The first Coors brewery location in Golden, Colorado is the largest single brewing facility operating in the world.

Next time your in Colorado – you’ll do yourself a favor if you don’t miss Golden – and El Dorado!

Colorado School of Mines Colorado School of Mines is a public research university focused on science and engineering, where students and faculty together address the great challenges society faces today— particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

In a previous article I introduced The Language of Appreciation, offering a foundation to easily create authentic and meaningful relationships with family, friends and colleagues; a way of communicating with others that inspires and encourages mutual gratitude every day.

If learning to speak this way is the cultivation of great relationships, then the Art of Apology is the groundskeeping that maintains it; the pruning and refinement that deepens trust.

Yes, I’m aware there is a persistent belief that apologizing somehow makes us weak as an individual or lessens our footing within a relationship, but both of these concerns center around wanting to maintain control or power within your relationship, and to be more pithy; if you’re consistently vying for control or power in your relationship, it’s likely not truly a relationship.

While the holiday tends to promote gratitude, perhaps it’s also a wonderful time to consider personal humility and rebuilding bonds.

Let’s breakdown what an apology is and its purpose.

When there is a perceived breach of trust of any kind, the objective of the apology is a process for repair and reestablishing trust. I use the word “perceived” because this is the first pit-

fall where things go awry; debating whether the issue is correct or not. Who cares?

I suggest placing your need to stand on principle or be correct aside. Buy it a cup of tea or coffee and ask it to sip slowly, we’ll come back to that (pride) in a forthcoming column.

For now, what’s important is somebody that you likely love or value in some way is hurt.

This is a moment to choose love over the need to be correct. The benefit of love is emotional closeness, the byproduct of needing to be correct is emotional distance. Which do you prefer?

I imagine a thought that may f loating through your head is something like “why should I apologize if I didn’t do anything wrong?” Other common concerns are simply wanting to avoid conf lict or not appearing weak.

Please allow me to shelve these two concerns: the willingness to have conf lict is healthy, seeking it out is not. In other words, conf lict is a natural way in which we attempt to understand someone else’s beliefs or experience while upholding our own. Essentially, it’s foreign to us, so we’re defending against it.

There’s also the aforementioned pride being encouraged by that clever ego of ours.

Whether small or large,

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both of these are very human and will subside with consistent effort towards focusing on these four steps.

If you want to learn how to effectively apologize, you’ll want to be adept and sincere at each of the following stages.

AWARENESS – Before any misconduct can be repaired and trust restored, you’ll have to understand it. This first step requires a commitment towards caring and empathy. You’ll need to be willing to step outside your own experience – even if just for a glance – and attempt to see from the perspective of the other. If you don’t see it immediately, stay with it.

I have found the less need you have to be correct, the quicker this occurs.

ACCEPTANCE – Building on your increased awareness, this is the step where you accept responsibility for your contribution in the matter. Embrace and connect with it.

This is vital to it not recurring.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – This is the point to voice your apology. When You speak the words “I am sorry” they will be underwritten with a sincerity that is often missing from near-ref lexive apologies.

I invite you to go deeper and extend the declaration by recognizing how you @LocalUmbrellaMedia

hurt the other and immediately proceed to the next action.

AMENDS – A critical and often overlooked aspect of an apology. At this stage, the person that seemingly created the offense inquires with the offended to seek what would be required to rebuild trust.

The request and resolution should be directly related to the infraction.

Each step is successive and requires the preceding one be completed to move forward. You cannot offer and complete a honest amends without genuine acknowledgement of the matter; you cannot have a true acknowledgement of the matter without sincere acceptance of your responsibility (for your portion); and you cannot have a sincere acceptance of your responsibility without having real awareness to see what has occurred.

Done earnestly, this process will allow offer opportunities for increased trust, respect and closeness.

Daniel Allen is a writer, speaker, and spiritual & emotional counselor on the subject of relationships (including the one we hold with ourselves), and an advocate for Love and raising consciousness. For more information or article suggestions please visit www.

SoulExpansion.com, email info@SoulExpansion.com or call (619) 832-2750.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

DON’T LET A DUI RUIN THE HOLIDAY SEASON

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By District Attorney Summer Stephan

Before you accept that second glass of Champagne at your next holiday gathering, make sure your celebration remains happy by designating a sober driver or simply taking a cab.

San Diego is struggling with its worst episode of deadly DUI crashes in two decades with 37 lives claimed to date.

Since DUI crashes are 100 % preventable, I am calling on San Diegans to think twice before getting behind the wheel

while under the inf luence of drugs or alcohol. In addition, we’re seeing disturbing trends with fentanyl overdose deaths, which is why I’m calling on parents, students and everyone in between to have the discussion about it no longer being safe to experiment with street drugs.

The market for street drugs is so deadly, that literally one pill can kill. This point was highlighted expertly to participating students and parents at a Juvenile Opioid Summit that my office hosted for all San Diego County middle and high school students. Former NBA Star, Chris Herren, spoke to students about his extraordinary struggle with an opioid addiction and he used his story of recovery as a powerful connection to anyone struggling with addiction.

Just as deadly DUI crashes are higher than ever across the county, over the past few years the number of fentanyl deaths, especially among young people, has more than quadrupled. Overdose deaths have increased from 33 in 2016 to almost 700 so far this year. Victims include students as young as 16-years-old and young people are experimenting with drugs as early as 12.

In the DUI incidents we are seeing, data shows that average blood-alcohol levels are higher than last year. And we’re seeing that more than half of people being arrested for driving under the inf luence have both alcohol and drugs in their system—a deadly combination.

We always say that drivers know the risks and the dangers of driving under the inf luence of alcohol. But an entirely different danger that is not as apparent is buying what looks like pharmaceutical pills from a drug dealer. The pills look authentic, but nearly all of them are made with fentanyl, which takes only a few miniscule grains to kill.

When you’re invited to that next holiday party or as you celebrate the year coming to an end, don’t become a San Diego statistic of someone gone too soon or someone who caused another person’s death. Make a plan on how you will get home safely and keep San Diegans safe. We all deserve it.

On behalf of our entire team at the District Attorney’s Office, which is dedicated to building safe and healthy communities, we wish you a joyful and safe holiday season.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE RECEIVES LARGEST DONATION IN COLLEGE’S HISTORY Southwestern College received an endowment gift recently of more than $600,000.

Dr. Sue Crittendon, who taught elementary school in the National School District for 34 years, left the endowment before passing away. It is the largest gift in the school’s 60year history.

Dr. Crittendon was a retiree of the National School District after over three decades of teaching in the third, fourth and fifth grade levels. She established the endowed scholarship fund in order to inspire students from National City. These $500 scholarships will partly fund the education of 30 students of Sweetwater Union High School District each semester, with emphasis on graduates from Sweetwater High School who are enrolled at Southwestern College. Disbursement of these funds will be managed by the Southwestern College Foundation, which has been entrusted with managing Dr. Crittendon’s scholarship endowment.

Dr. Crittendon’s passion for inspiring students from National City inspired her contribution to fund scholarships for students of Sweetwater High School. Located in National City, CA, Sweetwater High School’s campus community is predominantly made up of students hailing from underrepresented communities. A large portion are Spanish-speaking, from immigrant communities and cross-border students who reside in Baja California. Southwestern College has committed to educating these students in an effort to provide more equity and opportunity.

Philanthropic contributions make it pos-

sible to assist students to obtain an education and achieve institutional goals. They also support programs like Southwestern College’s SWC Cares, which provides basic assistance needs like food, housing, transportation, textbooks, technology and other resources. This campus-wide initiative centralizes the many resources at Southwestern College.

“Sue knew the key to success is a strong education. So she established this endowed scholarship fund in honor of her friends and colleagues to inspire students from National City,” said Dr. Sally Bottroff-Hawes, a Trustee of the Dr. Sue Crittendon Estate. “She wanted them to dream big, pursue their passions and, most importantly, have fun!”

“We are honored to be entrusted with Dr. Sue Crittendon’s legacy,” said Sofia Salgado Robitaille of the Southwestern College

Foundation. “She was a visionary, and, per her wishes, the Foundation has set up a scholarship program to give hope and support to Southwestern College students. This program will last for as long as the college does.”

ABOUT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE: Southwestern College, the only public institution of higher education in southern San Diego County, provides services to a diverse community of students by offering a wide range of high-quality academic programs and comprehensive student services — including those offered through distance education. Southwestern College also stimulates the development and growth of the region through its educational, economic and workforce opportunities, community partnerships and services. For more information, visit swccd.edu.

Chula Vista pets get festive for Christmas too!

Maryjane is a 6 year old poodle mix. Cookie is all dressed up and looking festive in her She is a rescue dog and loves to com- fine Mexican dog wear. Owner Miriam Jimenez Rex the black dog is a 3 year old miniature pincher that came from an abusive home. He pete in dog shows. She has a natural sells unique pet clothing. was abused at 8 weeks old and as a result his back legs are weak. He can walk, but tires modeling talent. Her mom Carissa Ann easily. At 10 months old he beat cancer. He loves to nap with his mom Carissa Ann and keeps her up-to-date in the world of watch Lifetime movies. He is an inspiration to all who meet him. doggie fashion and looking fabulous!

Carissa Ana is a happy dog mom to her two fur babies.

Ana’s Dog Rescues: Ana DeTommaso’s passion is rescuing homeless street dogs in Mexico. These three lovely dogs are ready for their forever home. They were all rescued from horrible conditions but now are healthy and ready to live their best life! Meet Simon (with the red bandana), Beau (with the red bow tie) and Noah (posing by the Christmas tree). Call (224) 622-1421 for more information.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

13

THE MARLOW B. MARTINEZ FOUNDATION SHOWS US THE MEANING OF A HEART OF GOLD

By Mia Bertelsen

This story about an Eastlake neighbor is sure to warm your heart. Marlow B. Martinez Jr. created a non-profit foundation to carry on the memory of his father who was a role model and inspiration to all who knew him. The Marlow B Martinez Foundation sponsors many community events with the main goal of spreading love and sharing with others who are less fortunate. They host many events each year to fund their efforts. These include toy drives in December, a New Year’s Eve dance and dinner, and special efforts to help families in distress or great need. Local Umbrella Media sat down with Marlow and he shared his amazing story with us.

How long have you had this foundation?

I created the Marlow B Martinez Foundation 501c3 in 2013 in honor of my pop.

He was a fixture in the community and was such a giver over his lifetime. He was really special man on how he took care of his siblings at the age of 14. After he passed away, I wanted to continue carrying some of his annual traditions like the Toy Drive coming up and the Annual New Year’s Gala that we host at the Dana Mission Bay this year.

What keeps you motivated and inspired to help others?

The back story to my motivation and how my heart was softened I’d say was over a period of about seven years. In 2007 our first daughter Madison passed away at 3 months old due to a heart and lung issue that could have been detected in utero but as a few months passed, damage was already done. I was crushed to the point where I felt that I didn’t deserve to be a dad if things like this happened to me. It alters your course of living and thinking and softens your heart to those experiencing heavy losses or burdens.

Then a few years later, my grandmother passed away due to a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was my rock in my life, my mentor, and probably the only person who I felt understood me without any judgments. She just purely knew how to love me as her grandson, and it’s something I still feel today. She was such a beautiful soul and also a pure giver of everything she had. When she passed away, I think my cousins counted over 40 people she had taken in to live with her at her home over the course of years. My dad and I lived with her as well for a few years while we were waiting for his condo to be built. When I lost her, it felt heavier than losing Madison as she was the most important person in my life. I spent so much time with her at her home that it became a second home for me growing up. My heart became even more softened as I understood what loving and caring about people was supposed to look and feel like because of her. She loved us unconditionally, and showed love to anyone who came in to her home. I didn’t know how to get past her loss for a period of time, but over some time, understanding that her mission in life was to show compassion and love and help out anyone she could. It’s something I hold dear to my heart as I try and emulate her giving ways and caring ways about random strangers. It is funny how life shows you this.

Then just two years later, my father goes down with a major brain stroke while giving a speech about his own life. My father was in a coma for almost two months and hell kind of started at that point. He was on the verge of dying every other day, and I was literally fighting doctors and family to try and keep him alive. Then I made the decision to care for him. He had a feeding tube, a tracheostomy in his throat, and was fully dependent. He was a person who went from being fully healthy, running half marathons, to a body with just a soul on a care bed. It was an extremely tumultuous time over those next two years. I had given up my own life, being the sole provider for my own family, and pretty much gave up my own family to care for my father.

During that time, he was still on the verge of dying, and the stress was so hard on my own family that we legally separated. I was battling weekly family members and my own siblings to just let him pass away and move on.

During those two years, I became what I feel was a man. It’s not easy to see your dad in man diapers, or having to bathe with him and care for him, or change him on a daily basis, clear out his feeding tubes, switch out his trach and see a gaping hole in his neck every day. But as months past, I brought him back to life. I got him from a coma to sitting up and learning to

The Marlow B Martinez Foundation won the Chula Vista award for helping the community during the pandemic. All photos are from their Facebook page. talk again and watch TV. His primary care physician commended to me time and time again that what I’m doing is miraculous. It was a full-time complex nursing job. I had kept a weekly log of this progress and the story was so magical over those two years that someone even offered to help make it a book.

Fast forward two years into his care, 100

old young man headed to Barrio Logan. So we’re talking and somehow he brought up this “toy drive” and how this man would always have toys for the kids in Logan. He said he didn’t get any toys for Christmas, so he looked forward to it every year. When I told him that was my late father’s toy drive that he started, he hugged me and said a lot of us didn’t have toys coming, and your dad

Come on down! This event is what carries us every year as a very small non profit foundation.

Tell us a story about of one of your favorite projects you have done.

If you watched the Channel 10 story, I helped out a local family whose dad was killed in a road rage incident. He left behind five daughters right before Christmas, and with the help of the community we made sure Christmas came in a huge way!

We even managed to get a car donated to help the mom get the kids to school and her to work.

Another one I hold very close to my heart, was when we threw princess Ashley a birthday party. She was 6 years old and never had one because she had a brain tumor that had kept her in the hospital for most of her life. Well, with the help of the community we threw her the biggest princess party I had ever seen! Both of these efforts were supported tremendously by the community, family, and friends and it was an amazing, amazing effort, almost spiritual and magical the way things came together.

From their Facebook page: This is a little about our WHY in

The MBM foundation helps families with food donations for Thanksgiving dinner. hours a week of care from me, losing my family, and he ended up having another stroke that ended his life. It was two years of hell and miracles in between from start to finish, but during that time I understood what I had given up. I had given up my own life to care for my father. Same thing my grandma and my father did their whole lives. They were always thinking of others and always unselfish. Prior to caring for my dad I probably was a little selfish in my ways and somehow life. I’m a believer in God and he has a way of getting our attention when he wants to. My heart and soul was changed forever. I didn’t know honor and love like I did while I was caring for my father. It is the most honorable thing I’ve ever done in my life.

Through all these monumental losses, they took so much out of me and changed me probably for the better because through their losses, my caring for others, well-being has become a priority in my life. I try to honor their losses through easing burdens for others just like they did their whole lives. Even losing Madison, she showed me such courage and strength that I didn’t even know existed. So what keeps me motivated is I feel like I’m letting Madison, my Grandma Linda, and my dad know that I appreciate them so much and how they changed me for the better.

For every family or kid I help, I tell them “thank you” for softening my heart and showing me how to move through life.

Losing the three most important people in my life in such a short period of time rattles your soul and my heart has been changed ever since. I just want to show kids and families that people care, even complete strangers, and they can show you love and care and help you during hard times if need be. No Smile Left Behind was born which is our motto/mission at the MBM foundation.

Tell us about your annual Toy Drive for December.

The Toy Drive I believe is the longest standing toy distribution in the county, or one of them. My dad started it in the mid 1980s, and I continued it in 2013. This year it is in Barrio Logan. We are hosting about 200 kindergartners and 1st graders from local elementary schools and throwing them a big Christmas party. We give them some Christmas cookies, snacks, show a little holiday cartoon, and bring Santa and his helpers out. I have small snow machine for them and this year I’m surprising the families with a distribution of boxes of food as well. It has been around 30 years or so and we have probably given out over 6,000 toys!

Funny story, I was on the trolley a few years ago headed to the Padres game, and I was sitting next to a 20 something year

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Marlow was fortunate to find an overseas manufacturer of masks and distributed over 13,000 masks to our Marlow’s car is full to the max with donations to help others. community when we needed it the most. was our Santa. He told me to keep it going and it has been 30 years now! I love it, but it is so much work and planning. Those kids deserve a little more, so we do it.

Your next event is the New Year’s Eve party. What makes it extra special?

New Years is so much fun! This year we are at the Dana Mission Bay serving a four course dinner with Chicken Florentine or Filet Mignon options. You can also come to just the dance for a discounted price. The Dinner package is $89.95 and the Dance only is $75. Our room discounted rate is $109 at the hotel as well. What makes it special is there are 200 + people who have supported MBM in some way or fashion.

They are such nice people who come out and dance the night away, or come to just enjoy good company, ambiance, good music, and food. I mean we’re on the water the venue is beautiful. We also have a live band Latin Sol that has supported us since my dad was hosting this event. They’re extremely loyal and I would not be able to host this event without them. It is just a fun night amongst adults, with some awesome raffle prizes and an excellent DJ as well.

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creating the foundation. Marlow Sr., may he rest in peace, had a long tradition of thinking of others. From the time he was 14 years old, he was the backbone in preserving his family. At a young age he chose to accept a fatherly role and ensure his family’s stability and progress. He then enlisted in the Army and was sent to war in Vietnam. He was abruptly called home to find out his brother had been killed in a car accident. The impact on the family and his single mother was devastating. Once again, Marlow Sr. immediately stepped into the fatherly role ensuring his mom and his siblings and immediate family were taken care of. During his teenage years he stepped in to the role of big brother, provider, and Dad. He has always been big on keeping his entire family close together and always had a heart of gold. It was his theme in life. With the formation of the Marlow B. Martinez Foundation, we will strive to exemplify what it means to have a “Heart of Gold”. “Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition,” --- Abraham Lincoln.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

WHAT IT TAKES TO STAY AT ZERO For San Diego Humane Society, the word “zero” represents a great accomplishment — not just for the organization, but for the entire county. Zero represents the number of healthy or treatable animals who are in danger of being euthanized in San Diego County animal shelters. SDHS partnered with seven other shelters in the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition to achieve this goal in 2015, making San Diego the largest city in the country to reach this milestone. “We’re committed to Staying at Zero,” said Gary Weitzman, SDHS president and CEO, “and what that takes involves evolution every year. We’ve seen that especially during the pandemic.”

Even before COVID-19 struck in March of 2020, the work to ensure zero euthanasia of healthy or treatable shelter animals was immense. As an open-admission shelter, SDHS won’t turn away any animal in need. They are one of the largest animal welfare agencies in the country, taking in more than 40,000 animals annually — including those with serious medical and behavioral needs who would have nowhere else to turn. Saving their lives requires innovation, which is why the organization developed many of their signature programs.

At its San Diego Campus, SDHS operates the Pilar & Chuck Bahde Center for Shelter Medicine, providing medical care far beyond that found in traditional shelters. Its veterinary team — led by one of only 28 veterinarians certified in shelter medicine by the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners — performs everything from trauma medicine to specialized surgeries.

They repair fractured bones, perform advanced dental work and lead the country in developing new treatments for deadly diseases like parvo and distemper.

Across the street, you’ll find a state-of-the-art Behavior Center that provides a safe space and individualized training plans for some of the most challenging dogs and cats to enter San Diego County shelters. It’s one of just a few facilities of its kind in the country, and it enables SDHS to save hundreds of animals each year.

With the onset of the pandemic, operations for animal shelters became more complex.

SDHS pivoted to continue saving animals while meeting the increased needs of pet families. “We had to figure out how to adopt pets online, how to care for animals while staying six feet apart, and how to be there for more people who needed us,” says Weitzman. “One of the ways we Stay at Zero is by keeping pets with the families that LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

love them. During COVID, that’s meant doing even more for our community, like distributing more than 3 million pet meals, offering medical services, and providing behavior support.”

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in need, SDHS ensures the pandemic doesn’t mean people face the heartbreaking decision to relinquish their animals.

To learn more about SDHS or make a donation to support their work, visit sdhumane.org.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

15

5 TIPS ON HOW TO NATURALLY ELIMINATE HOLIDAY STRESS THIS YEAR As we shift deeper into winter, the typical holiday stress associated with this season only seems to rise closer to the surface!

There is a collective panic that rumbles through most of society as soon as November approaches, beginning with Thanksgiving, and persisting until at least New Years Day. Large gift purchases, massive meal preparation, along with impending potential family drama abound.

One would think anxiety, frustration, and sometimes even anger underlie this yearly stress experienced globally, and yes, those are prominent emotions that arise. However, the root is fear. Fear of not giving the right gift, fear of not cooking enough, fears of confronting the family’s “elephant in the room” that has managed to be avoided all year, the list goes on.

Fear creates stress and this is the core of holiday pressure experienced by many this season.

According to Chinese Medicine theory, the emotion of fear and the kidneys (and adrenal glands) are connected with the winter season. Previously, in fall, the focus was on the emotion of grief associated with the lungs, and the concept of letting go, just as the trees slowly release their golden leaves in preparation for renewal.

What happens when we have conquered letting go in fall? Fear naturally bubbles up. What is next? How can we cope with change and transition? Have we accomplished enough this year? How can we deal with having let go of the familiar, whilst pushing onwards into the unknown?

Many of these more fear inducing questions may riddle our minds, along with the normalized stress accompanying the holiday season.

Winter creates a yin, womblike therapeutic holding space for us to burrow within in deep reflection and feel difficult emotions, without much external distraction. In most states, cold winter weather encourages time spent in the warm indoors. This gives us the opportunity to feel our emotions and move through

it instead of escaping it.

San Diego, with its near constant sunshine, does not naturally cue this feeling within us, so we must self prompt the process through focused intention.

Here are 5 potent tips to naturally alleviate your stress this holiday season, and emerge feeling as bright as the holiday lights adorning the streets and homes.

Let us allow our internal light warm our hearts from within, and expand outward to light others, and may that be the main emotion associated with this magical time of year.

1. Turn Fear Into Excitement Through Mindful Breathing Fear and excitement are very similar emotions. The difference is that fear embodies the element of contraction and introversion, and limitation, as opposed to excitement, which exudes expansion and possibility.

Breath deeply through your nostrils, allowing your abdomen to expand upon inhale, open your mouth and imagine exhaling a dark cloud of stress. How often to we only breathe into our chests? This creates a lot of stuck energy.

By breathing deeply, you give fear a larger container to roam within, which quickly

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transforms into excitement.

Additionally, the more oxygenated your cells, the more energized you feel, and the more apt you are to feel a sense of openness and positivity to whatever situation arises.

2. Listen to Binaural Beats Daily.

This powerful form of sound healing is backed by scientific research and has been proven to help significantly lower anxiety, decrease pain, and enhance focus by adjusting your brain waves to the same level of the specific musical frequency you are listening to. The result is a calm nervous system, where your mind reaches meditative state in just under 30 minutes. A quick search on YouTube provides thousands of free videos to choose from. To yield the best results, make sure to lis-

ten through headphones.

3. Move Your Body.

Moving qi helps circulate your blood and energy, helping to release any excess fear or stress held within. Practicing tai qi, qi gong, yoga, or running -specifically activities that involve both feet on the ground (walking, hiking, or the above)- is particularly helpful for eliminating anxiety ridden stress taxing the adrenal glands.

4. Drink Hot Raw Cacao Due to its high levels of valeric acid and magnesium, raw cacao is a wonderfully soothing hot beverage to consume when feeling that tell tale panic arise. Check your local health food stores for pre-made mixes or make your own, by adding a few tablespoons of raw cacao powder to about 12 ounces of boiling hot water or milk alternative, along with a sweetener of your choice.

5. Let Go. Focus on feeling the fear, instead of repressing, suppressing or destructively expressing it. Focus on feeling the emotion along with observing any arising thoughts that are associated with it, without judgement.

By feeling difficult emotions you can eliminate thousands of negative thoughts, and your stress levels will naturally lower.

A wonderful book to help aid you in this process is by the late Dr David Hawkins, called letting Go. * For any questions or concerns, or if you would like to schedule a complimentary consult with Olivia Fellus, or learn more about her and her services please contact lvfellus@gmail. com or visit www.ascendhealing. com

All Natural Raw Hot Cacao Drink Recipe To be enjoyed along with a few pieces of dark chocolate (85% or higher is recommended) ~Two tablespoons raw cacao powder ~A pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) ~Two tablespoons of raw organic pure grade maple syrup OR as a sugar substitute add monkfruit sweetener to your taste ~12 oz of hot steamed or boiled almond, coconut, or oat milk *Mix the dry ingredients in a large mug and add just enough of the hot milk alternative to form a thick liquid. *Stir well! *Add the rest of the hot liquid *Sprinkle with cinnamon and enjoy! @LocalUmbrellaMedia

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Thank you so much for your support and participation!

December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

Please make checks payable to SAWA and send reservations to : SAWA 6605 University Ave., San Diego, CA, 92115 Attn: Pamela Lennen

16

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary Artistry of Tables & Fashion Luncheon and Presentation of the 2022 Women of Dedication Honorees 10.___________________________________________________________________________ 9.____________________________________________________________________________ 8.____________________________________________________________________________ 7.____________________________________________________________________________

6.____________________________________________________________________________

The Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary recently held the Artistry of Tables Luncheon & Fashion Show. Tables were beautifully decorated in a variety of themes. The Fashion Show featured models wearing high-end thrift store items selected for the fashion show. The models are currently enrolled in the Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center – or ARC. This is a sixmonth drug and alcohol residential treatment program that provides a safe environment for men and women to recover from chemical dependency.

The models shared their heartwarming stories of new found sobriety. The ARC provides treatment almost entirely from items sold in the thrift stores.

Guests savored a delicious lunch, enjoyed the fashion show and shopped from items from the Thrift Store. The Auxiliary also presented the 2022 Women of Dedication Honorees. These amazing and talented women selflessly give their time and talent to make their community a better place to live will be honored on April 1, 2022 at the Marriott Marquis & Marina.

5.____________________________________________________________________________ 4.____________________________________________________________________________ 3.____________________________________________________________________________ 2.____________________________________________________________________________ 1.____________________________________________________________________________

I would like to be seated with the following people:

Honorees: L-R Irene Mylonas, Christy Billings, JoAnn Kilty, Holly Heaton, Andrea da Rosa, Inez Thomas, Connie Ojeda Hernandez, Kimberley Layton, Carol Sciotto, Barb Crew

Esther Rodriguez, Regina Kurtz, Randy Tidmore

Nayda Locke, Karin Donaldson, Nancy Burney

Salvation Army Table Decor

Dee Ammon & decorated table

Jan Reital, Christy Billings, Arlene Esgate, Estella

Jeanie Lucia, Judy Burer, Ursula Kuster

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Barb Crew, Rosalie Gervas

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

17

TOP USA FEDERAL DRUG OFFICIAL- THERE IS “NO EVIDENCE” THAT MARIJUANA USE IS HARMFUL FOR ADULTS.

By Michael Patterson, NSA, OTR/L, about the therapeutic potential of certain psychedelics that have long CEAS The head of the nation’s top federal drug research agency, Director Nora Volkow of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), says that she has yet to see evidence that occasional marijuana use by adults is harmful.

“There’s no evidence to my knowledge that occasional [adult] marijuana use has harmful effects. I don’t know of any scientific evidence of that,” Volkow said. “I don’t think it has been evaluated. We need to test it.”

The quote stood out because NIDA typically highlights possible risks of cannabis use while providing an overview of studies that run the gamut on marijuana health impacts. Volkow also said she found it “surprising” that research has indicated that cannabis consumers tend to have a lower body mass index (BMI).

“BMI is lower in marijuana users, and that was very surprising, and yet we know that high BMI, particularly the older you get, can have negative effects,” she said. “This is why we need to study it.”

However, this does not mean that the NIDA director supports marijuana commercialization efforts.

Nora verbalized she is “absolutely” concerned about use by young people and said that daily consumption of high-THC products “can have harmful effects even on the adult brain.”

But Volkow has taken a fairly level-headed approach to marijuana, pointing out potential dangers for adolescents and pregnant women, for example, while at the same time acknowledging that her expectations about the impact of state-level reforms haven’t always come to fruition.

For example, she recognized in a podcast interview released in August that cannabis legalization has not led to increased youth use despite her prior fears, and she spoke

been deemed “dangerous” under federal law. Nora has also emphasized the need to address substance misuse with a public health lens, rather than subject people to criminalization for using drugs.

She said in an op-ed earlier this month that “stigma remains one of the biggest obstacles to confronting America’s current drug crisis,” and the government bears some responsibility in perpetuating those stigmas.

“Government policies, including criminal justice measures, often reflect—and contribute to—stigma,” she said. “When we penalize people who use drugs because of an addiction, we suggest that their use is a character flaw rather than a medical condition. And when we incarcerate addicted individuals, we decrease their access to treatment and exacerbate the personal and societal consequences of their substance use.”

Furthermore, when it comes to marijuana research, Volkow has said that scientists should be allowed to investigate products from state-legal dispensaries instead of using only government-grown plants.

NIDA separately submitted a report to congressional lawmakers emphasizing that the Schedule I status of controlled substances like cannabis is preventing or discouraging research into their potential risks and benefits.

It also said that current restrictions that block scientists from studying the actual cannabinoid products that consumers can purchase at dispensaries is impeding research to an extent that constitutes a public health concern.

Analysis To put this in perspective, these statements are extremely welcomed and beneficial to the legalization movement. It is extremely encouraging to see a federal health official rely on the science and acknowledge that, as it stands, the evidence

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hasn’t pointed to serious harms for adults who occasionally use cannabis.

Also, it is very notable admission given that NIDA has historically gone to great lengths to highlight the potential risks of cannabis consumption. NIDA has been notorious for only approving studies related to cannabis that will show detrimental affects of the use of cannabis, but never studies which

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show positive results of using cannabis on specific health issues.

This is one more of the many roadblocks to US federal legalization that is slowly being removed.

As more federal agencies continue to report on the benefits of cannabis legalization in different aspects of our society (medical, research, societal benefits, etc.), it is now not “if ” cannabis is legalized by the US Government, but “when”.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

TOP TEN GIFTS

BY BART MENDOZA © MUSICSCENESD // MUSICSCENESD.COM

NOVEMBER 2021

The holiday season is upon us and anyone looking for something local to put under the Christmas tree might want to consider an item from San Diego’s incredible arts community. Here are ten San Diegocentric music related gift ideas for the local music fan(s) in your household.

Each item is easily found on the artists website.

Angels & Airwaves – Lifeforms Dispatch Mystery Box

Angels & Airwaves have teamed up with national escape room brand Breakout Games for a Dispatch mystery box to promote their latest release. The box contains clues about the disappearance of a key figure in the Lifeforms album storyline, with the items in the box taking the player through a paranormal adventure that is soundtracked by the album.

Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra – Balance a Checkbook (LP) Human / Robot duo Satanic Puppeteer Orchestra’s continue a string of highly collectable releases

A San Diego Christmas A San Diego Christmas Christmas

Jason Mraz’s Taylor nylon-string NS72ce, the JMSM, won’t help you

write songs like the acclaimed hitmaker, but it will get you closer to his guitar tone. “The fretboard inlay features the words «Be Love» below Jason Mraz’s circle/triangle symbol, both in Mexican cypress. The rosette design is a series of zodiac symbols in Mexican cypress against a granadillo background, set in a ring of Hawaiian koa.”

Switchfoot - Puzzle

The Switchfoot Feliz Navidad Limited Edition Jigsaw Puzzle (18x24 / 500 puzzle pieces) is the perfect item for a fun Sunday afternoon, either on your own or with friends.

The Casbah / Schizophonics -T-shirt This works on so many levels. Help support The Casbah while displaying

with Balance a Checkbook. Each album is a wonderful piece of concept art with exclusive graphics, and amazing extras. The latest includes a full color insert, clear etched vinyl and a set of Satanic Puppeteer Bills and Coins.

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artwork by The Schizophonics own, guitarist Pat Beers.

The Beat Farmers - Kazoo Our top stocking stuffer this year!

As it says right on the ad: “New, no slobber – Tuned for “Happy Boy.” Ugly Things - Magazine

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Hands down the most in-depth music magazine on the planet, Ugly Things, is amazing every issue, with incredible coverage on “Wild Sounds From Past Dimensions.” For fans of vintage rock a subscription would make an incredible gift, but even a single issue will bring a smile.

Slightly Stoopid – Beach Towel Sure it’s a little chilly in San Diego at the moment, but warm weather is just around the corner. Get an early start on summer prep with this handy beach towel.

Jack Tempchin - Peaceful Easy Feeling Wine The perfect item to toast New Years Eve or any occasion. When you run out you can tell folks it’s “Already Gone” Rock and Roll San Diego - Gift Card Rock and Roll San Diego has something on offer for any music aficionado in your life, recording, lessons, rehearsal space. A gift card fits all sizes.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

Riston Diggs If it seems like rapper / hiphop artist / actor Riston Diggs is prolific, it’s because he is constantly in motion. “I’m always in the studio recording, you can catch me in one any day of the week. If I’m not performing, I’m recording,” he said good naturedly. Earlier this year he issued an EP, 1986, and just a few months later he already has a new release, The Drill Sergeant, while

also taking on a major role, as Zander in the online TV series, Neon Hatchet. As if that wasn’t enough, you can also find him performing locally with a new band, The Gravities.

What inspired the creation of the Drill Sergeant EP? “While working on the last project, 35 produced by Banyon Bachman, he mentioned he’d been making some drill beats and wanted to see what I could do to it,” Diggs said. “Instantly my manager/ executive producer came up with the title, The Drill Sergeant inspired by our military careers.

Drill is a subgenre of rap from Chicago, it’s a very popular sound amongst the youth.”

What sets this release apart?

“What sets this release apart from my other projects is that it’s my shortest solo project and it’s aesthetically inspired by my military career with songs like

“General Orders” and “Work Party.” It allowed me to bring my mature state of living to a youthful sound.”

In addition to keeping busy musically, he’s happy with the turn acting has taken. “I started working on Neon Hatchet earlier this year in Princeton, West Virginia,” he explained. The director, Scott A. Martin casted me years back as an extra for another film. He really believed in my acting skills early which helped me build the confidence and to later be casted as Zander in Neon Hatchet. I really had a blast playing Zander especially because it gave me a chance to embrace the comedy side of acting and really have fun with the role.”

Diggs notes there was some cross over with his regular career. “I was also able to incorporate some rapping which was so awesome for me,” he said. “Season 2 I’m hearing we will learn a lot more about Zander’s personal life, so be on the lookout.”

Diggs plans to continue his solo career full tilt, but also plans to increase his activities with The Gravities. “My plans with The Gravities are to continue to perfect our stage show,” he remarked. “I’m so honored to be a part of the band. It has opened up and extended my musical range and allowed me to use my voice in ways I’ve not. I also get to be around some of the most talented musicians around, their youthful energy keeps me motivated. And yes we’re currently working on a project as well, very exciting!”

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Diggs has played numerous gigs this year, but a clear bright spot was his stint on the Wonderbus.

“Performing on the Wonder Bus has been the highlight of the year. Getting to perform on there with my friends cruising around different parts of the city spreading good vibes, yeah its

been the funnest of times this year for sure. Shout out to Tim Pyles.”

2021 has been a busy year for Riston Diggs, with 2022 set to offer even more good times, recordings and television shows.

“In 2022 I’m looking forward to more opportunities to perform, collaborating with fellow musicians and brands and of course releasing more music for the people to rock out to,” he said Season 1 of NEON Hatchet is available on YouTube for your binging pleasure! https://youtube.com/channel/ UCNz1SQswPpHddjo_oDUOczA

New & Upcoming Releases Nicey Nice World - Nonsectarian.

“The half baked tracks were recorded in 2014,” said the group’s Marcello Radulovich.

“They consisted of 8 electronic compositions I created with my iPhone using an app called Kaossilator by Korg. I presented these tracks to the lads, at that time

Mike Watson (fretless guitar), Barney Firks (fretless bass) and Nathan Hubbard - drums, with Jim Call and myself always present as founding members of the band. They came in and played along to them, added a great organic musical quality. Took me a few years of on and off work on these songs to get them to this stage, something like a finished product.” Due to the current world condition, there will not be any live events to promote Nonsectarian.

“All this Covid stuff has turned the world upside down so there won’t be a release show/party, just putting the album out there because I think a lot of people would enjoy hearing this music. I’m really happy with how it turned out.”

Night Crickets is the name of a new band featuring David

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bum, Stardust & Satellites, via Red House Records. The new release is produced by Oliver Wood and Jano Rix of The Wood Brothers, with the first single, “Conveyor Belt,” out now. Poltz heads out on tour alongside The Wood Brothers beginning January 25 in Rochester, NY

J (Bauhaus, Love And Rockets), Victor DeLorenzo (Violent Femmes) and multi-instrumentalist Darwin Meiners. Their debut 13-track album, A Free Society, is out January 21 via Omnivore Recordings.

On February 18 Singer-songwriter Steve Poltz releases his 14th al@LocalUmbrellaMedia

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

The Inflorescence / Indie Pop Rock It may be a cliche to say the kids are alright, but in the case of new band, The Inf lorescence, it’s a fact.

Newly signed to Kill Rock Stars, the four piece band, featuring Tuesday on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Charlee on lead guitar and backup vocals, Milla on drums, and Sasha on bass, with fill in drummer Maya, while Milla is away at college, formed in September 2019. Tuesday is on lead vocals and rhythm guitar, Charlee is on lead guitar and backup vocals, Milla on drums, and Sasha on bass, with fill in drummer Maya while Milla is away at college. Formed in September 2019, the band grew a following really quickly.

“Tuesday, Milla, and Sasha were in a band together which broke up pretty quickly,” explained Charlee. “After breaking up, the three of them encouraged me to learn guitar, which I did.” Then they formed the Fluorescents, now known as the Inf lorescence. How would you describe your music? who are some of your musical inf luences?

“Tuesdays inf luences are the bands Beach Bunny, It Looks Sad, and Lovejoy.

Charlee: Modern Baseball, Wallows, Cage the Elephant.

Milla: Dave Grohl, the Police.

Sasha: Fall out Boy, Green Day. We’d describe our music as indie pop rock.”

The Kill Rock Stars deal came about through family connections. “Tuesdays mom knew

owner of label, owner of label, Slim Moon, from a compilation she was on. She sent him our music and he loved it!. Us signing to KRS includes the promotion of our upcoming album and everything that has to do with it.”

No details on the forthcoming album just yet, but Charlee notes the album was “recorded at Singing Serpent with Ben Moore. Yes, the album is all original songs. Tuesday writes the backbone of our songs and then everyone else writes their individual parts.” The plan is for that album to be available on colored vinyl with a possible summer tour in 2022 Upcoming shows include the Soda Bar (January 9) and Soma (January 21), with lots more in the works. Meanwhile 2022 is looking like it’s going to see lots of forward movement from the Inf lorescence. When it comes to her favorite thing about the band, Charlee is succinct and reveals the secret of the band in one word. “My favorite thing about being in the Inf lorescence? Friendship.”

Contact - Instagram: @theinf lorescenceband

New Years Eve / Top 5 EventsEve 2021 New Years / Top 5 Events 2021 Events 2021

It’s time to say good riddance to 2021 and hope for a better 2022.

While festivities are perhaps a bit muted this time out, there are still plenty of parties happening for anyone who’d like to end the year out on the town with good friends and live music. here are five options that are sure to make

your last night of the year a good one. * Winstons - Trip into 2022 with good vibes courtesy of The Electric Waste Band. Playing the music of the Grateful Dead, the band holds the record for the longest San Diego residency, now at over 1570

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Winstons shows. Amazing! * Pechanga Arena - Dance the night away with a huge light show and performances at LED: OMFG! On hand will be from Black Tiger Sex Machine, Cash Cash, Dabin, Dillon Francis, Ekali, Hex Cougar, JVNA, Madeon (DJ Set), Malaa, Midnight Kids, Noizu, Said the Sky, Seven Lions, & Zeds Dead. @LocalUmbrellaMedia

*Belly Up Tavern - award winning reggae combo Tribal Seeds will bring a night of Island sounds to the Belly Up Tavern. * Tio Leo’s - The perfect spot for fans of classic rock,with a spacious dance floor and great food as well * Hard Rock Hotel - DJ led dance music will be the soundtrack of the night as 2021

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

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San Diego Music News • Thanks for watching the first season of Music Scene SDTV! Hosted by Bart Mendoza and brought to you

by Concerts.Cafe as well as Local Umbrella Media, look for season two in early 2022 with even more great artists – In the meantime you can check out past episodes with performers such as Evening’s Empire (alternative rock), Skyler Lutes (reggae), The Tourmaliners (surf ), Wayne Riker (jazz), The Spice Pistols (indie rock), Ed Kornhauser (jazz), Victoria Robertson (opera), Tamar Berk (powerpop) and Bloodstone The Street Preacher (rap). Watch on your favorite platform or here: https://entertalkmedia.com/show/music-scene-sdtv • In related news Music Scene SDTV host Bart Mendoza’s 90’s era band, Los Shambles, has their album, Desde Ayer, reissued by Snap! Records next month. The album collects recordings by the band in Spanish or

by Spanish bands, with demos and bonus tracks culled from various

acoustic radio sessions broadcast in Spain.

• Beatlesfair is happening March 26 at Queen Bee’s.

• The Bombpops have scored a tour with the Dropkick Murphys. The St. Patrick’s Day Tour 2022, kicks off February 21 in Reading PA, running through March • The deadline for submissions for this year’s San Diego Music Awards is December 31. To be eligible music must be released before that date.

More details can be found at www. sandiegomusicawards.com • Death grind favorites Cattle Decapitation will finally be touring behind their 2019 album, Death Atlas, in 2022. The A.D. 2022 Tour will also feature openers The Last Ten Seconds of Life, Creeping Death and Extinction. The road trip opens January 18 at Brick by Brick, wrapping up in Mesa, Arizona on February 20.

• The Gloomies new single, “Out There,” is out now mixed and mastered by Blake Martz. *Rock and Roll San Diego is starting up a new rewards program for it’s customers in 2022. Sign up before the end of the year and score a free hour of rehearsal! time • Rolliing Stones fans won’t want to miss Exile on Kettner Blvd, taking place at the Casbah on December 24.

The free event has become a beloved San Diego tradition. No word on who will be in this year’s all-star line up, but it’s guaranteed to be a great set list!

• The first-ever Outlaw Country West festival will take place Nov. 3-8, 2022 while cruising the Pacific from Los Angeles, to Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. The cruises performers will include Social Distortion, Lucinda Williams, X, Los Lobos, The Long Ryders, Deke Dickerson & The Whippersnappers, Steve Earle & The Dukes and San Diego related favorites The Beat Farmers, Mojo Nixon and Rosie Flores.

• Legendary San Diego coffeehouse owner Java Joe Flammini is hosting a reunion event with some of the late, lamented venues favorite performers.

Java Joes Reunion will take place on January 8 at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, in Carlsbad. The night will include with appearances from Gregory Page, Tim Flannery, Berkley Hart, Lisa Sanders and Billy Galewood

a date at Red Rocks Casino in Las Vegas • Pony Death Ride’s album, The First Leon, has been issued in candy cane red vinyl, just in time for the holiday season • The Secret Squares is the name of the new all-star band which includes Cindy Lee Berryhill, Kevin Ring & David Fleminger (Manual Scan) and David Doyle (The Unknowns) • Congrats to Slack Key Ohana whose Hawaiian themed, debut Pacific Records, self-titled EP debuted this month at #2 on the I-Tunes World Music Chart!

• Acclaimed writer Mike Stax has contributed liner notes to a number of recent archival releases including the Preachers (Sundazed), Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera (Guerssen Records), Thus (also Guerssen) and a Greg Prevost compilation of unreleased pre- and early Chesterfield Kings recordings for Penniman Records. Stax will soon add another

major work to his bibliography. “I’ve been working on a new book about Hungarian-American jazz guitarist Gabor Szabo with a co-author, David Holzer, who is based in Hungary,” he said. Fans of Stax’s great band, The Loons, will be happy to hear new music is on the way. “We’ve been writing new material for our next album. We’ll start recording that early next year.” In the meantime, The Loons will be part of the Che Underground Midwinter Masque event at the Casbah on February 19.

• Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek has a pair of solo releases reissued on colored vinyl this month, via New West Records. Young in All the Wrong Ways will be pressed on blue with gold swirl vinyl, while a Sara Watkins & The Secret Sisters album called Saturn Return will be released on pink and white marble vinyl.

• Pop hitmakers O-Town, featuring Poway’s Jacob Underwood, is on the road through May 7, 2022, with LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

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December, November, 2021 2021 || VOLUME VOLUME 66 || ISSUE ISSUE 12 11

U.S. CHAMBER AWARDS NORTH SAN DIEGO BUSINESS CHAMBER WITH 5-STAR ACCREDITATION San Diego, CA. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has awarded North San Diego Business Chamber with its designation of Accredited with 5 Stars for its sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on the community.

“North San Diego Business Chamber receiving this accreditation is truly an acknowledgement of their excellent work,” said Raymond P. Towle, U.S. Chamber vice president of Federation Relations and Institute for Organization Management. “Accredited chambers are recognized for their ability to serve as a resource to their region’s businesses while maintaining transparent governance practices, sound financial controls, safe work environments, effective communications, and value in programming.

They are commended for their continued advocacy of free enterprise and for this tremendous accomLOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

plishment.”

The purpose of the U.S. Chamber’s Accreditation Program is to facilitate continuing excellence in the chamber industry and to foster a pro-business environment across America. To receive Accreditation, a chamber must meet minimum standards in their operations and programs, including areas of governance, government affairs, communications, and technology. This extensive self-review can take 6-9 months to complete.

“There are only six accredited Chambers in the state of California with ours being the only organization in San Diego County to receive this accreditation,” said Debra Rosen, president and CEO of the North San Diego Business Chamber. “Without our valued members and sound policies, this renewal of the accreditation would not have been possible.” /LocalUmbrellaMedia /LocalUmbrellaMedia

California-accredited Chambers include Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, Irvine Chamber of Commerce, North San Diego Business Chamber, Palmdale Chamber of Commerce, Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce and Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Local chambers are rated Accredited, 3-Stars, 4-Stars, or 5-Stars. State chambers are recognized as either Accredited State Chamber or Accredited State Chamber with Distinction. The final determination is made by the Accrediting Board, a committee of U.S. Chamber board members.

North San Diego Business Chamber is the only 5-Star US Chamber of Commerce accredited organization in the region. California has a total of 6 US Chamber accredited organizations.

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VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12 | December, 2021

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IT’S A BIRD! IT’S A PLANE! IT’S AN OSPREY!

By Philip Hwang, Trail Guide

The Osprey (Pandion halieatus) is a large raptor and can grow to over 2 feet in body length with a 6-foot wingspan! It is known around the world as the sea hawk, the river hawk, and the fish hawk. However, it technically isn’t a hawk as it has some key differences that set it apart from all hawks. Some of these characteristics include toes that are all the same length and finely barbed feet used for catching slippery, wet fish. The talons are especially long and curved beyond their toes to the point they cannot walk on the ground flat footed.

Their genus, Pandion, and family Pandionidae are specific to the osprey and ONLY have the world’s two osprey in it – the Western Osprey and the Eastern Osprey.

It’s a bird! As prolific fishers, they are found near bodies of water and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. They are monogamous and will mate for life, often returning to their nest year after year. The nest itself is gigantic and can measure over 6 feet in diameter and weigh over 300 pounds. A nesting pair can commonly be found around Lake Murray with their distinct highpitch calls piercing the air. Their

diet is almost exclusively freshly caught fish.

It’s a plane! Spend any time in San Diego and the familiar thumpthump-thump or view of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey high in the sky can be seen and heard. These

aircraft are famous for having a vertical takeoff and landing, known as VTOL. It can alternate between helicopter and plane modes to take off vertically and then fly horizontally. Sound familiar? The Osprey bird uses this same technique when

hunting – it dives deep into the water, closing its nostrils (like a nose plug) and closing clear eyelids (like goggles) to catch a fish. The Osprey can fully submerge itself while fishing. After catching the fish, it must fight the fish, which is trying to swim down, and create enough lift to not get dragged back under water. The Osprey has an oily substance covering its feathers and body that is hydrophobic, making the entire bird essentially water resistant. This allows a submerged Osprey to generate enough lift with water repellant wings and a freshly caught fish to fly straight up out of the water. If you are lucky to witness a catch, also notice that when flying, the Osprey will move the fish around in its talons to reposition the fish for optimal wind resistance and carry the fish with the fish facing forward.

Come to Lake Murray and witness the awesome Osprey! If lucky, you can hear the calls and see the fishing.

If luckier, you’ll see the V-22 Osprey aircraft flying overhead. And if you visit over and over again, you can watch the breeding pair raise chicks to juveniles into adulthood! And they eventually move out and can feed themselves! Nature truly is magical.

THE SMALL WORLD OF MTRP: TERRESTRIAL INVERTEBRATES OBSERVED IN THE PARK

By Patricia Simpson, Trail Guide

In a world where the European Honeybee (Apis mellifera) gets all the publicity and glory for pollination, I’d like to introduce to you the leafcutter bee (genus Megachile) which can be seen in this observation https://www.inaturalist. org/observations/64114013 posted by carrotpeople on iNaturalist. Leafcutter bees are fairly common. Their size, depending on the species, ranges from about the same to slightly smaller than a honeybee. And that’s about all these two have in common.

Unlike the honeybees, Megachile (pronounced mega-kyle-y) bees are solitary. That means that every female can and will lay eggs. A leafcutter bee emerges from March through September here in San Diego, thanks to our mild weather and flower abundance. The adult bee has a relatively short life span of just a few weeks when mating, feeding, and reproducing for the following season are priorities. Depending on the species, the female will cut circular pieces out of broad leaves or flower petals to line a cavity. At the end of the cavity, she will lay an egg and deposit a ration of pollen and nectar for the larva to feed on after hatching. She then builds a wall out of food, mud, or leaf (or a combination) and lays another egg into the next section or cell.

She repeats the process until she gets to the end of the cavity or tube and seals it. Her work in producing the next generation is done! While many females can nest in very close proximity, they do not share burrows or nesting “tubes”.

They only collect enough pollen and nectar to eat and to place in nesting cells, where they have laid their own eggs. The larvae will hatch, feed, and pupate through the cold months to emerge as adults in the springtime or later. There’s no honey production involved at all. In fact, contrary to popular belief, the production of honey by bees is very rare. Only a few species (about 8 out of 20,000 worldwide) produce honey!

Why would you want leafcutter bees in your backyard? They are native, very productive pollinators, and rather tame. Unlike LOCAL NEWS | LocalUmbrellaNews.com

honeybees which gather pollen loads on their hind legs (secured there with honey and nectar), Megachile bees gather pollen on their underbelly. The pollen loosely attaches to special hairs called pollen brushes. This means that when visiting other flowers, leafcutter bees will disperse pollen at a greater rate than honeybees and hence pollinate more efficiently! Honeybees, despite being an essential domestic pollinator for large monocultures, are non-native to the Americas and highly invasive, especially in non-agricultural settings.

According to a study by Cane and Tepedino, a single honeybee colony may remove as much pollen as would otherwise support 33,000 native pollinators every month (https://con/LocalUmbrellaMedia

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bio.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/ conl.12263).

In San Diego, the last of the Megachile bees are usually seen in November. After this, it is the perfect time for you to investigate how to attract them to your yard the following season. Fortunately, the internet is filled with useful information about how to keep leafcutter bees. You may decide to build your own “housing” (fun project with the kids!) or purchase a pre-made “facility” from the many companies who offer them (present for a loved one?). If you decide to purchase leafcutter bees, as opposed to simply letting them come to your yard naturally from neighboring areas, make sure the species you are purchasing does occur in San Diego County.

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December, 2021 | VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 12

— PRESENTED BY —

2021 SOU T H B AY PUMPKIN SMASH GAME OF THROWS EVE N T H IG H L IG H TS Thank you to all participants and sponsors of the 5th Annual South Bay Pumpkin Smash – Game of Throws presented by the Friends of Chula Vista Parks and Recreation. Teams from all over south bay descended on Eastlake Middle School on Saturday November 6th to compete a live fire pumpkin throwing contest.

Teams showcased their designs and manufacturing skills as the laid siege on the field using a medieval device commonly known as a trebuchet.

Like in the past, the opening ceremony was conducted by the Chula Vista Fire Department by dropping a 125-pound pumpkin from over 100 feet up. This year in the Open Division, triplet brothers Mike, Mario, and Marc Diaz “wowed the crowd” with a feat of engineering as they presented team “Fetchez la vache” floating arm trebuchet. Not only was this device a marvel to see, it set a new competition record by throwing a 5+ pound pumpkin over 90 meters (295 ft).

Winners in Division 2 First Place winner Bonita Vista Middle & Second Place was Eastlake Middle. Longest throw in Division 2 went to Eastlake Middle School. A special Thank You goes out to all our generous sponsors: San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas, Structural Engineers Association of San Diego, Baldwin & Sons – Otay Ranch, Republic Waste, Rotary Club of Chula Vista-Eastlake, Chula Vista Police Activities League (CVPAL), Dixieline Lumber, and Eastlake Self Storage.

This year’s event also welcomed newly appointed Sweetwater Union High School District Superintendent Moisés G. Aguirre Ed.D, Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Trustee President Nicolas Segura, Sweetwater Union High School District College and Career Readiness Director Jeff Kover, and newly hired Sweetwater Union High School STEAM Director Brahim Wahib.

Photos shown clockwise, from top to bottom: (Left to Right) Sweetwater Union High School District Superintendent Moisé G. Aguirre Ed.D, Event Organizer and "the king" Michael Monaco, San Diego County Supervisor Nora Vargas, Sweetwater Union High School District Board of Trustee President Nicolas Segura, and College and Career Readiness Director Jeff Kover.

Students from Bonita Vista Middle School giving "the king" a high five.

Mike, Mario, & Marc Diaz’s Floating Arm Trebuchet.

The remains of a 125 lb. pumpkin dropped from 100 feet by the Chula Vista Fire Department during the opening ceremony of the 5th Annual South Bay Pumpkin Smash – Game of Throws.

Team Bonita Vista Middle School, accuracy competition winners. ► Team Eastlake Middle School, distance competition winners.

This year’s event presented a few challenges. Being in a COVID era the event had limitations. However, the attendance was better than expected and everyone had a wonderful time. A special Thank you goes to Eastlake Middle School Principal Easter Finley for securing Operation Samahan who offered COVID Rapid testing free of charge.

Plans are already in the works to make next year’s event awesome. “Our goal is to create a family friendly Renaissancethemed Pumpkin Smash Fair with activities for all ages.

Including food, crafts, vendors, and of course a pumpkin throwing competition” stated event coordinator Michael Monaco. Like always, entry to the event as a spectator is always free to the public. Mark your calendar for November 5th, 2022 at Eastlake Middle School.

▲ Eastlake Middle School Principal Easter Finley (second from the right) with Operation Samahan COVID Test Team

CHULA VISTA EASTLAKE

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