IB Connection - JULY 13, 2020

Connection

Mar Vista High School

Deborah Vance

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While your time at Mar Vista did not finish as planned, please know the impact you made at our school will last for years to come. You have left a legacy. Thank you for daring to be, not good, but AMAZING; thank you for being the compassionate, kind, loving human beings we all wish to see in the world right now. Please remember, as you venture off down your own path, that you made a difference at Mar Vista High School. You were the first class to hold a Senior Sunrise on the first day of school!

The sun didn’t come out from behind the clouds, but the promise of the new day was not lost. We knew the sun was there, and we knew it would shine on the Class of 2020 all year long. You were the first to kick off the school year in a fun way with Aceves, William Acosta Contreras, Maricela Aden, Farhan Aguilar, Anna Akerlundh, Carolina Albarran, Jonathan Alcaraz, Kaliyah Aldrete Desena, Noah Al-Hajami, Hassan Allen, Ashley Alvarado Figueroa, Leonardo Amaro, Silvia Andres, Jon Jezreel Arellano, Marissa Avalos, Paris Avalos Gonzalez, Heidi Avendano, Jorge Avina Celis, Bryssa Ayala, Briana Ayala, Priscilla Banuelos, Jessie Barba, Ariel Barba Resendiz, Zayra Barnes Jr, David Barnett, Ethan Barnett, Seth Barraza Munoz, Martin Barrios, Adrian Barrows, Ariana Bautista, Nathaniel Bautista-Meza, Samuel Baxter, Blake Becerra, Arleth Benavidez, Leonardo Bentley, Katie Binombe, Abondance Bollas, Carlo Borinaga, Roxan Borinaga Jr, Allan Burgos, Kiara Busa, Sean Bustamante, Sergio Cage, Seraiah Caggiano, Katherine Calderon, Luna Camacho, Brianna Cano, Trevor Carlton, Anthony Casanova, Joel Castro, Alan Castro Nunez, Sheyla Cedillo Garcia, Jasmine Chalmers, Summer Chavez, Jonathan Chavez, Julian Cincotta, Mary Cisneros, Hector Clamp, Melanie Clark, Treson

a “ Tacky Tourist� dress up day and round out the week with an amazing ALOHA event that found you on a giant rubber ducky, and pie-ing some staff members! You were the first Senior Class to attend “Movie Night� on the football field! The assemblies were amazing because of your leadership as upper classmen.

You showed up and showed out at assemblies, football games, basketball games, spirit weeks, Homecoming, events in the quad, and inside the classroom. We hope that you have felt loved during your time here at Mar Vista, and more importantly, during our time away from one another. From the Stadium Lights being on for 20 minutes in your honor, the video that staff made, the Signing Day

Connelly, Laura Contreras Alvarez Tostado, Oscar Corona, Sebastian Coronado, Melody Cosio, Brandon Cota, Augustine Crawley, Samantha Cruz Hernandez, Julian Cueva, Destiny Cummings, Shawn Daniel, Jalen Davis, Noah De La Rosa, Ian Deguzman, Kathleen Rae Dela Cruz, Christian Joe Delgado Morales, Diego Diaz, Jade Duenas, Darlene Duhala, Zackery Ecijan, Michael Elliott, Markiel Escamilla Jr, Edgar Escobedo Tabares, Nirvana Escoto, Jayana Esquivel, Fabian Estrella, Jovanni Eugenio, Elijah Fernandez, Kane Fierro, Juliette Fieweger, Paul Figueroa, Sharlyn Fisher, Amber Fitzgerald, Tara Flores, Emily Flores, Pete Flores Falcon, Briana Fogg, Terrance Foster, Maya Franco, Alexa Frankenberger, Jocelyn Fraser, Aaliyah Fuentes Cervantes, Abigail Fuhrmann, Victoria Gabel, Jasmine Garcia, Alicia Garcia, Jamie Garcia, Jonathan Garcia Andrade, Karla Garza, Diego Girandola, Hailey Godinez, Jesus Gomes, Anthony Gomez, Anthony Gomez, Jasmine Gomez, Liliana Gomez Flores, Marlene Gonzalez, Alan Gonzalez, Michelle Gonzalez, Robert

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Gonzalez Jr, Alex Guillen, Danae Hamlin, Jakob Hara, Genevieve Haygood, Dahniyah Head, Dahkoda Hernandez, Andrea Hernandez, Dante Hernandez, Veronica Herr era, Alan Hinzo, Jack Hoffower, Mikayla Huerta, Aidan Huhn, Jael Jaime, Ulises James, Ruby Jelks Jr, Carnell Jimenez, Daniela Fiona Julio, Daniel Cesar Kanzaki, Nuonnettra Keys, Conrad Ladrillono, Christine Joy Laguna Gutierr ez, Ralph Landen, Emma Larson, Faith Larson, Juan Lasala, Kassandra Leiva, Adeline Lepe Carbajal, Yahir Lizarraga, Marie Lopez, Alain Lopez Albarran, Abraham Lopez-Meraz, Elihud Lopez-Peterson, Julian Lord, Levi Lounsberr y, Hunter Lozano, Alexandro Lozano Resendiz, Octavio Lucina, Andre Lukenbill, Austin Macias, Julian Macias Castellanos, Perla Madrigal, Hermann Mallery Zarate, Melanie Marroquin, Alexander Martinez, Nayeli Mayou, Stephanie Mccauley, Destiny Mccubbin, Aimee Mcmanus, Kaelin Medina, Giselle Mejia Alvarez, Uriel Memea, Kuuipo Mendez Castaneda, Angelina Mendez Castaneda, Monique Mendoza Martinez, Jennifer Merigo Gonzalez, Sergio Meza Olivas, Damaris Michel, Alfonso

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Highlights, the parades to the homes of our CSF recipients, Valedictorian, and Salutatorians homes, to the SUHSD Parade at Southwestern College, to finally our Senior Day Celebration. Your teachers, coaches, and fellow Mariners will miss you. Dream Big Class of 2020! You are amazing. We love you and we will miss you! Be your BEST! Do your BEST! And REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!

Love, Your Family at Mar Vista High School

Mills, Isla Mogote, Kevyn Leon Mohammadi, Meekeh Monje, Abraham Montejano, Scarleth Montes, Axel Moran, Bebhinn Moreno, Carlos Moreno, Natalie Moreno, Raul Munoz, Brissa Munoz, Pamela Murtaugh, Marc Nacua, Lyle Andre Narvaez, Kane Navarro, Melody Navarro, Meraly Noonan, Todd O ’keefe, Kiley Olivares Nogales, Gerardo Orozco Briceno, Marco Ortigoza Ruiz, Edryan Ortiguerra, Amerae Oseguera, Juan Luis Ovando Rodriguez, Oscar Padilla, Yram Paguia, Angeline Palomo, Cynthia Paras, Lexinne Pardinas, Jonathan Parra, Moises Patton, Jacob Perez, Alexandra Perez, Jissel Perez Jr, Phillip Perez Monge, Frydda Perez Morales, Alejandro Phelps, Arianna Pimentel, Sebastian Poe, Alan Pompa, Paulina Ponce, Emmanuel Quezada, Anthony Quezada, Cesar Raggio Beltran, Johanna Ralls, Dylan Ramirez, Albert Ramirez, Kenya Ramirez Mora, Janeth Ramirez Ortiz, Axel Ramirez Sahagun, Samantha Ramos, Solomon Razo Rueda, Melissa Rendon, Sergio Reyes, Julian Reynoso Perez, Luis Rivera, Abigail Roberts, Roman Rodriguez, Erica

Rodriguez, Isaak Rodriguez, Pedro Rodriguez Jimenez, Ivan Roldan, Natalie Romero, Ralph Joshua Romero Estrada, Bryan Ruiz, Kristina Ruiz, Brandon Ruiz-Vergara, Jessenia Sabato, Nello Salazar, Nadia Sanchez, Alfredo Sanchez, Alysa Sanchez, Erika Sanchez Molina, Jesus Sanchez Ojeda, Franshesca Sarabia, Angel Scharr, Maxine Schiazza, Gabriel Vincenzo Sesma, Melissa Sevillano Gil, Natalya Seymour, Lyle Shelton, Damian Slater, Samantha Slater, Taylor Smith, Jeremy Spaulding, Skye Speer, David Stangland, Isabel Stewart, Jack Stewart, Peter Suarez, Isaac Tabarez Durazo, Ahizik Tapia, David Tapiz, Leilani Tellez, Damian Thompson, Alloura Toledo, Angelo Dandy Torres, Analyce Turqueza, Kemp Vargas, Yatziri Vasquez Ordonez, Arley Vazquez Lopez, Dania Velarde, Esteban Vera Cruz, Andrea Vida Gomez, Jesus Villareal, Kiana Anne Weaver, Lily Welch, Dora Wilson, Logan Wold, Camryn Worthington, Alli Yoshinaga, Heather Young, Damiana Young, Jo’vahn Zamudio Caso, Mariana Zapien, Brenda Zepeda, David

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

Imperial Beach Spotlight

By Laura Lothian

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“The expansive sandy beaches attract sunbathers and sandcastle builders from around the world.”

- Deborah Vance

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DEBORAH’S LISTINGS Active: 1111 Seacoast Dr., #3, IB 91932 1111 Seacoast Dr., #57, IB 91932 1365 Seacoast Dr. “I” IB 91932 Coming Soon: 1111 Seacoast Dr. #61, IB 91932 Pending: 442 Calla Ave., IB 91932 1241-43 Florence Ave., IB 91932 843 Emory St., IB 91932 9130 Shadow Hill Rd., Santee 92071 Recently Sold: 130 Date Ave., IB 91932 714 Seacoast Dr., #110 IB 91932 712 Desty St., SD 92154 4875 Sagasti Ave., SD 92117 1670 Seacoast Dr. ‘D’ IB 91932 1245 East Lane, IB 91932 1339 Tradewind Ave., SD 92154 1480 East Lane, IB 91932 128 E Paisley St., Chula Vista 91911 1068-70 10th St., IB 91932 391 Elm Ave., IB 91932

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Local developer David Brienza reports that construction on the newBlue Wave project may begin near the end of theyear or early next year. and expects the project to last about 18 months.

Renderings for the Blue Wave hotel and residential apartments.

According to the company’s website “Blue Wave was inspired by our love for the community, and we wanted to design a project that not only stands out architecturally, but represents the IB lifestyle. It’s a place where locals and tourists can enjoy the sun, surf, and kicking back with friends.�

The plans include a four-story, z-shaped building with 47 hotel rooms, 51 residential units and a roof deck with a pool, as well as a two-story building with a lobby and front desk/reception area on the first floor and a restaurant on the second floor.

106 parking spots, including 81 in an underground parking structure, are also included - and the hotel will offer shuttle service to the beach and other spots.

The development will go up on a vacant site where the El Camino Motel once stood — on the north side of state Route 75 not far from

Silver Strand. The motel closed in 2007 and was demolished in 2012.

The project proposed for the site is set to help grow the coastal city’s small hotel industry. “We think it’s going to be a fine addition to the city,� said developer David Brienza, the son in the father-son team behind the project.

He previously said the thought behind the mixed-use project was that the residential units will help take some pressure off the hotel during off-season.

Two of the 51 two- and one-bedroom units will be reserved for low-income residents, while 30 hotel rooms will be available at low rates. The City Council agreed to give the project the flexibility to rent out nine residential units as hotel rooms.

The plans went before the City Council with approval from the city’s Design Review Board, which made recommendations the de-

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velopers followed, including adding features to mitigate noise and reserving two residential units for low-income residents. Brienza said his team engaged in public outreach and he is pleased, but not surprised, by the support from the community. “We love the IB area,� he said. “We really like that property and have watched it for years and I’m happy that finally we are getting a chance to do something with the property.

He plans to transform the vacant lot into a four-story, mixed use complex that has 47 hotel rooms, 51 residential units, an underground parking garage with 106 spaces, and a two-story commercial building for a restaurant, shops and an off ice.

Dubbed Blue Wave, the 73,000-square-foot facility’s plans were approved by the city’s Design Review Board and City Council and should contribute to the city’s goal of growing its hotel industry.

Imperial Beach currently has about 100 hotel rooms and has made it a priority to increase that number – and the hotel tax revenues associated with tourism. “Blue Wave, along with a Hampton Inn that is under construction and a third proposed hotel in Imperial Beach would bring the city’s hotel room total to approximately 350� said Brienza. “For comparison’s sake, there are over 2,000 rooms in Coronado,� he said. “ This helps IB to develop a hotel community to bring in tourists and help local businesses in the area by bringing in people to shop at their establishments.�

Plans for Blue Wave show a z-shaped complex with hotel rooms on the first two floors and residential units – mostly one- and two-bedrooms – in the second, third and fourth floors. There would also be a pool for people who live in the apartments.

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SDSUPresident Adela de la Torre outlined plans for Fall 2020, noting that more than 200 in-person classes would be offered for the fall and up to 3,500 students may live on campus.

By SDSU News Team tudents will have access to more than 200 unique in-person courses and the university is preparing to house up to 3,500 students on campus during the Fall 2020.

In a campus update, SDSU President Adela de la Torre announced that the California State University system has approved the campus-wide academic plan for Fall 2020. “I have a high level of confidence that, through our plan, we will offer an exceptional education and experience for our students, no matter their physical location,� de la Torre said.

The university also launched a SDSU Flex website to provide information and updates. The site, now live, includes information about campus repopulation plans, course offerings, and the university’s plans to offer a meaningful student experience, no matter where they are physically located.

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“I have a high level of confidence that, through our plan, we will offer an exceptional education and experience for our students, no matter their physical location,�

- Adela de la Torre “I know this information will be helpful to every single member of our community, including our incoming students and their parents and families, as we all prepare for Fall 2020,� de la Torre said.

SDSU does not have enough class-

rooms to offer all classes in person while providing for suff icient physical distancing. For that reason, the university identified more than 200 courses for in-person, focusing on those that have critical in-person elements. All other courses will be offered virtually. “Less density is a public health imperative to limit the spread of COVID-19,� de la Torre said. “Because we will need to keep physical distance for an undetermined time, we will certainly embrace the strengths of virtual to ensure students can customize their learning experiences. Doing so, however, allows us to maintain for those courses which most need it.�

In-person classes must meet certain parameters, including having discipline-relevant pedagogical standards and student-learning outcomes, which cannot be met by adjusting pedagogy; a reliance on specialized equipment that cannot be substituted in virtual delivery;

and accreditation and/or licensure requirements necessitating in-person experiences.

Further, SDSU expects it will house about 3,500 students in on campus residence halls, about 54% of the capacity offered in Fall 2019. The university will offer all students in residence academic support and residential programs, respecting distancing requirements and increased health and safety protections.

The university will offer increased and continuing flexibility for faculty and staff, encouraging those able to continue to telework to do so, with the exception of faculty approved to teach in-person courses or who are engaged in certain research and creative activities. “ The health and safety of faculty, staff, and students is paramount,� de la Torre said, noting that faculty and staff will be granted telework assignments if they are unable to work

onsite due to medical conditions that make them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Those able to continue teleworking will be encouraged to do so. “We are working to make the virtual experience as engaging and enriching as possible for all students.

SDSU has spent years increasing online course offerings and moving all courses to virtual modalities mid-spring allowed our instructional faculty time to redesign courses and begin training,� de la Torre said. “We are also identifying ways to expand other features of meaningful in-person teaching, to include small group interactions and peer-based learning, complemented by academic support.�

The university will continue to maintain its COVID-19 site for public health-related updates. http://newscenter.sdsu.edu/ sdsu_newscenter/news_story.aspx?sid=78046

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,�

- Nelson Mandela

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WHY A SMALL TOWN IN WASHIN GTON IS PRINTING ITS OWN CURRENCY DURIN G THE PANDEMIC In a bid to lessen the blow of COVID-19, the town of Tenino has started issuing its own wooden dollars that can only be spent at local businesses. Will it work?

By Michael Waters ayne Fournier was sitting in a town meeting when he had his big idea. As the mayor of Tenino, Washington (population: 1,884), he’d watched the pandemic rake local businesses. Residents couldn’t afford groceries. Long lines snaked outside the local food bank. For more than a month, the downtown area looked almost abandoned.

To bring back the economy, Fournier needed to act. “We were talking about grants for business, microloans, trying to team up with a bunch of different banks,” he tells The Hustle. “ The big concern was, ‘How do we directly help families and individuals?’” And then it hit him: “Why not start our own currency?”

The plan came together fast. Fournier decided that Tenino would set aside $10k to give out to low-income residents hurt by the pandemic. But instead of using federal dollars, he’d print the money on thin sheets of wood designed exclusively for use in Tenino. His mint? A 130-year-old newspaper printer from a local museum.

Fournier’s central idea is pulled straight from Tenino’s own history. During the Great Depression, the city printed sets of wooden dollars using that exact same 1890 newspaper printer.

Within a year, the wooden currency had helped bring the economy back from the dead.

By reinstating the old currency now, Fournier has accidentally become part of a much bigger movement. With businesses worried about keeping the lights on and people scrambling to find spending money, communities have struggled to keep their local economies afloat. So they’ve revived an old strategy: When in doubt, print your own money. Today, these so-called “local currencies” might help small communities recover from the economic fallout of COVID-19.

Tenino’s big bet Fournier isn’t your cookie-cutter politician. A firefighter since the age of 18, he first gained local notoriety for a series of Banksy-style guerilla art projects that took a jab at local leaders.

Soon after he revealed himself, he won a spot on the city council; four years later, in 2016, he became Tenino’s mayor. To hear Fournier tell it, until COVID-19, the community had been on the upswing.

Fournier was working on plans to create 150+ new agricultural jobs. But Tenino’s businesses — which are locally owned and run on small margins — weren’t built to weather a lockdown. “ There’s a lot of them that have already said they’re not going to reopen,” says Fournier, “[and] the ones that have been hanging on are going to need a boost.” The city is also poorer than the rest of Washington state. “We have a higher rate of kids in our school district that receive free and reduced lunch,” says Fournier. “ There’s a higher rate of folks who are in poverty.” Fournier’s local currency program works like this: Residents below the poverty line can apply to receive money from the $10k fund that Tenino has set aside. Fournier says they also have to prove that the pandemic has impacted them, but “we’re pretty open to what that means.”

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Tenino’s wooden currency (courtesy of Wayne Fournier)

Once they’re approved, they can pick up their stipends, printed in wooden notes worth $25 each. The city is capping the amount each resident can accrue at 12 wooden notes — or $300 — per month. According to Fournier, each note features a Latin inscription that means, basically, ‘We’ve got this handled.’ The spending comes with a few restrictions: Residents can’t use the money to buy cigarettes, lottery tickets, or alcohol. The currency is designed for the essentials, including food, gas, and daycare. Almost every business in town accepts the wooden notes, and twice a month, they can submit redemption requests to the city to turn the notes into cash.

But why print the money on wood? Why not just give residents $300 worth of federal dollars?

The answer is simple: By creating its own local currency, Tenino keeps the money in the community. As Fournier puts it, “Amazon will not be accepting wooden dollars.” “ The money stays in the city. It doesn’t go out to Walmart and Costco and all those places,” says Joyce Worrell, who has run the antique shop Iron Works Boutiques for the past decade. Worrell sells clothes, jewelry, and — in an outdoor /LocalUmbrellaMedia

garden that adjoins her shop — an assortment of furniture. These days, she’s added masks and disinfectants.

Closing down business these last few months, Worrell says, was “a catastrophe for a lot of us.”

But she has rallied around the wooden currency as a way to revitalize the local economy — after all, it worked for the city once before. The currency hasn’t woven its way into her store yet, but she’s expecting it soon. “A lot of the people in our city work for places that hire low-wage help, part-time help, so they’ve been out of work this whole time,” Worrell says. “ This shows that we’re doing something as a community to really step in and help.”

The origins of the ‘ wood standard’ In Tenino, wooden currency goes way back.

Originally home to the Nisqually tribe, outside settlers first arrived in Tenino in 1851, when a gold rusher from Maine established a farm alongside the nearby Scatter Creek. In 1872, the Northern Pacific Railroad added a new station in Tenino, and for a time, the city was the northernmost stop on the West Coast. By the mid1900s, the world knew Tenino for three things: its

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Stay Safe, San Diego lumber business, its quarries, and its wooden currency. The legend of the wooden currency started in December 1931, when Tenino’s only bank closed shop. The Great Depression was ripping through the country and countless townspeople lost their savings. Most had to stretch the little money they had to pay for groceries, rent, and other essentials.

A local newspaper publisher named Don Major pitched a solution: With the bank gone, Tenino could invent its own currency. The officials agreed, and Major printed a series of notes — 25 cents, $1, $5, $10 — on rolled Sitka spruce. He and two local doctors agreed to back all of the currency themselves. By January 1933, the town had printed $6.5k worth of wooden money.

Tenino wasn’t alone in this experiment. During the Great Depression, local currencies saw a golden age. Hundreds of municipalities, business associations, and worker co-ops started issuing scrips. One estimate suggests as much as $1B worth of scrip circulated in the US in the 1930s. Cash-strapped businesses soon relied on local currencies to pay their employee salaries.

One exemplary story came from the publisher of the Springfield Union in Massachusetts, who started paying employees in his own scrip in the 1930s. The idea: Employees could spend that scrip at businesses that advertised in the newspaper who sent it back to the Union in exchange for ad space, closing the economic loop.

Tenino’s currency, in particular, captured the zeitgeist. News of

the wooden currency spread first across the country, then the world.

Banks in Chicago started accepting Tenino’s wooden money. Washington Senator C.C. Dill bragged about it to Congress. The Los Angeles Times declared, “Money Now Grows on Trees.” Tourists from as far as India came to Tenino to grab a piece of their own wooden currency. Demand grew so high that collectors started paying $2.50 for a single wooden quarter — a 10x markup. As Fournier puts it, “It went 1930s viral.”

On January 1, 1933, when businesses in Tenino stopped accepting the wooden currency, US newspapers proclaimed that the town had gone “off the wood and back to the gold standard.”

Can local currencies really save the economy?

Take a look around the globe, and you’ll find local currencies everywhere. Amid the economic fallout from COVID-19, small-town leaders have struck on the same idea as Fournier: • The town of Castellino del Biferno, Italy — population 550 — started printing a local paper currency nicknamed the “Ducati” in late April to stimulate commerce.

• Mexico’s Santa María Jajalpa sent out about $2k worth of a local currency, called jajalpesos, to help poor residents buy vegetables, chicken, and tortillas locally.

• The Brazilian city of Maricá is making extra money off of a digital local currency known as the mumbuca. Mumbucas are so omnipres-

Joyce Worrell, who runs a small antique shop in Tenino, is one of many small business owners in the town who say they will accept local currency (courtesy of Joyce Worrell)

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ent — even city officials receive their salaries in mumbucas — that businesses pay the local government a 2% fee to accept them. That money is funneled into no-interest loans that are offered out to members of the community.

In the US, the local currency movement is more fractured. Plenty of currencies — like Ithaca HOURS (Ithaca, New York) or Bay Bucks (Traverse City, Michigan) — made a splash for a decade or so before petering out.

One of the most successful ongoing experiments is called BerkShares, a paper currency founded in 2006 through the nonprofit Schumacher Center for New Economics. Over 400 businesses in Great Barrington, Massachusetts accept BerkShares, and the money is backed through a network of community banks.

Susan Witt, who heads the Schumacher Center, says that this current economic collapse has only highlighted the value of a currency like BerkShares. Her organization has received a number of requests from municipalities across the country hoping to set up their own currency systems on the BerkShares model; two of them are considering possible next steps.

“It is a very grim time for small businesses. Many won’t survive,” says Witt. “A currency, managed locally, is an elegant tool to address local needs.” But can local currencies really boost a local economy? The past holds a few clues.

Take the Austrian town of Wörgl, which launched its own schilling in 1932. To keep residents spending, Wörgl appended a 1% monthly fine when residents held onto the notes. By 1933, each Wörgl schilling had circulated 463 times — more than double the circulation rate of Austria’s national currency. Wörgl’s unemployment dropped by 25%, even while unemployment continued to balloon throughout the rest of the country.

Anecdotes like this point to the potential of community currencies — but teasing out a definitive relationship between community currencies and economic resilience is complicated, according to Marek Hudon, a professor of economics at the Free University of Brussels (Belgium). “ There are many shops saying that they have new clients thanks to community currency,” Hudon says, but “it’s extremely difficult to make a causal relationship to this local currency and a real macro-economic impact.”

Hudon co-authored a 2015 review of community currency research and found that about half of “community currencies” (an umbrella term that includes local currencies like BerkShares or Tenino’s wooden dollars) had no measurable macro-economic impact.

But the study also found that in a subset of cases, local currencies could “act as cushions against ex-

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ternal economic shocks.” And while their impact may not be widely felt, local currencies are “significant for a small but substantial part of the population”: the economically marginalized.

Francis Ayley, the creator of Life Dollars in Washington state, told The Hustle about a struggling Bellingham woman he knew who borrowed roughly $9k worth of Life Dollars. After 2 years, backed by credit from the community, the

Wayne Fournier, mayor of Tenino, Washington (courtesy of Wayne Fournier)

woman landed on her feet and started paying back her commitment.

“If she’d gone to the bank and said, ‘Can you lend me $10k for the next 2 years?’ they would have laughed and said, ‘Of course not,’” says Ayley.

Tenino’s wooden dollars are different from many local currencies in that it is temporary: The money will lose its value soon after the town declares an end to its COVID-19 state of emergency.

While the Tenino project might be less ambitious than some of its counterparts, that doesn’t mean its benefits won’t be felt. Fournier says he’s approved at least half a dozen applications for the wooden currency so far and has another dozen to review.

It’s too soon to know exactly what the project will bring. But on a recent Thursday, Fournier sounded optimistic. The money has started trickling into local stores, and many businesses are posting photos of the currency to Facebook.

The project has driven enough local excitement that the Tenino Chamber of Commerce is interested in making the wooden dollars a permanent fixture of Tenino — even after the pandemic passes.

“We’ll run out this program,” Fournier says, “and then we’ll look into having our own city currency.”

“We started the program in May and the program ends when the emergency is declared over - but value of the Scrip will be redeemed by the city up to 90 days thereafter” said Mayor Fournier. ■

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possible.

(StatePoint) With record numbers of Americans filing for unemploy4. Use wisely. Iffalling you need to HeRe aRe five THingS YOu dOcredit TO avOid ment and many facing income loss,Can carry balances or borrow more, inTO a COROnaviRuS TRaP, COuRTeSY Of THe fedeRal the financial impacts of COVID-19 make a list of your current credit TRade COmmiSSiOn. are far-reaching. sources, including current balances, and creditat-home limits andtest annual per“ Times of financial crisis can be cures, 1. ignore offers for vaccines, kits. centage rates (APRs).

Note overwhelming, ” says head of Wells As of now, there are no FDA approved vaccines or cures for the end datehave of any percent introducFargo & Company’s Innovation COVID-19, and if there were, they would tozero be administered torysame offers.is true for coronavirus Group, Lisa Frazier, whoprofessional. learned by a licensed medical The this lesson at atests. young age when and antibody Some scammersIfare even setting up fake driveyour credit is good, consider her familytesting struggled to make ends off requesting through facilities to profit the fears of others.

Avoid all higher credit limits, meet on the farm.

“But youtodon’t of these traps by talking a doctor which or pharmacist for all of your can soften the impact of need toand navigate these watersneeds. higher-than-usual balances on testing pharmaceutical alone. Numerous resources are your credit score and reinforce your available, so don’t be afraid to ask safety net.

2. forScreen help.” your calls.

5. Seek free expert help. Feeling If noticed increase of unknown numbers appearing on Toyou’ve get a handle onan your finances, uncertain which bills to pay your phone, there’s a reason: robocalls flourishabout in times of crisis. consider these and resources first?

Struggling pay rent and Con artists are tips hopping on the phones and posing astoeverything from Frazier and the experts at other collection household agencies needs? There from health insurance companies to debt to is Wells people Fargo: out of their money. Remember scam to never give sensitive help available. information overfraud. the phone unless you are 100% sure can you help are you tap 1. Guard against The Federal A financial coach speaking to a verified Trade Commission andsource. other agen- government benefits and other cies have warned consumers to resources and get on track. This is watch outout for for scammers exploiting whytexts the Wells 3. look phishing emails and too.Fargo Foundation is the crisis. Be suspicious of messag- supporting the following nonprofits Similar to phone calls, scammers are using email and text to trick es claiming to be from creditors, that provide free, Social confidential finanpeople into providing sensitive information like their Security employers or charities you do not cial coaching over the phone and or bank account numbers. that the government will recognize.

Don’t respond to Keep these in mind online to anyone facing financial never ask you for your Social Security number via email or text, emails or phone calls directly. Only hardships: and the same is true for banks and credit card companies when it contact phone numbers or email comes to your accounts. Make sure to only correspond with these • Association for Financial Counaddressesthrough you know are accurate, agencies secure websites and apps. seling and Planning Education: like the contact information on a Sign up to meet with a certified-ficreditor’s or charity’s website. nancial coach at yellowribbonnet4. double-check charities.

2. Bank online. As banks and retail- work.org/afcpecovid19.

The good in-person news is there are aand lot of organizations out there trying to ers adjust services help people through this pandemic. bad news is there are also • National Disability Institute: Visit hours, consider managing finances The aonline lot oforimposters.

Avoid scammers by vetting charities online and the Financial Resilience Center through mobile banking. only donations through online portals. Most major at NationalDisabilityInstitute.org/ With making most digital tools, you can secure banks and credit card companies fraud protection, in thefor case financial-resilience-center aceasily check account balances, pay offer that you accidentally give money to a phony charity.

You can also cessible financial health resources bills and make transfers. Consider help reporting anytax imposters Complaint andFTC to connect withAssistant. a certified-fidirectby deposit of your refund to the nancial coach with disability-relatthis year, which is faster than ed experience. a5.paper Digital banking Staycheck. informed. may also allow you to more easily National forpeople Credit Scammers are constantly coming up•with newFoundation ways to trick sendofmoney to familyStay in need or of their Counseling: 1-844-865-1971 out their money. ahead schemes Call by regularly to receive the funds fromcoronavirus people whoscamorwebsite visit nfcc.org/locator checking FTC’s and followingto conmay be in a position to ease youron protective nect withmeasures, a financial testing counselor for the CDC for the latest updates financial burden. guidelines, and drug developments. assistance with managing creditors or debt.

3. Know your credit score. Many banks and other services allow you • Cities for Financial Empowerment to access your credit score online.

Fund: Visit fecpublic.org/about for Take advantage of this feature to a list of locations in cities across ensure the information is accurate the U.S. offering virtual financial and look for areas where you can counseling as a free public service. improve. A financial coach can help you understand which money As you take steps to protect your health, be sure to also take steps to decisions will impact your score protect your finances. and how to preserve it as best as

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Mike Hess Brewing Granted Extension on Building Permit Past August 2020 Article source: westcoastersd.com, reporter Ryan Lamb

The Imperial Beach City Council voted on June 17 to extend the building permit for Mike Hess Brewing’s Imperial Beach project past August. According to company co-founder Mike Hess, the City of San Diego extended all active permits for 180 days on March 19, while Imperial Beach did not.

“Our new schedule has us building starting the Tuesday after Labor Day (and finishing in October), so that we can continue to operate this summer, keep the 25+ local IB peeps employed all summer and try to recover from the devastating effects of the COVID shutdown which has crippled us,” says Hess. “For a while, it was unclear how long we’d be shut down, whether we’d survive as a business or be able to ever do what we loved to do again – make great beer, and provide a great venue for people to gather ’round.”

B U I L D I N G M A I N S T R E E T, N OT WA L L S T R E E T

By John Newby 360 Media Alliance Quote of the week : “Nobody can go back and create a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson This column has and will continue to stress the need for your community to rapidly create a Truly Local mentality. The case for your community to adopt a Truly Local mentality can be intangible at times. Ultimately, it comes down to real facts, figures and logic. Over time, we will convey in greater detail each of the facts, figures and logics discussed below in future columns. Let’s briefly touch on a few of the common tangible reasons for your community to adopt this hyper local mentality. # 1 - Greater Financial Return. Numerous studies over the years show that dollars spent with locally owned and operated businesses recirculate throughout your community between three and seven times. This is compared to those same dollars being spent with Big Box and National Chain businesses, which circulate just one time.

Using a 10% sales tax as only an example, one million dollars spent with big boxes and chains will return $100,000 in sales tax to your community versus $300,000-$700,000 when being spent with locally-owned businesses. Those are real dollars for real communities. #2 - Greater Community Support. Additional studies have shown that owners of locally owned and operated businesses support local causes, organizations and charities by approximately a three-to-one margin over businesses with outside or Wall Street ownership. The foundations of many communities are often built through active volunteerism, non-profit organizations and civic groups; this is a vital component to thriving communities. #3 - Community Involvement Quotient. OwnLocal News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

ers and managers of locally-owned and operated businesses are four times more likely to be involved in leadership, politics and chambers in their communities than owners and managers of Big Box, Chain and out-of-town or Wall Street

owned businesses. #4 - Less Poverty Expectation. A recent study indicated that a community’s poverty rate is somewhat directly linked to the percentage of prosperous locally owned and operated businesses. Put another way, the greater percentage of your retail dollars taking place with Big Boxes, Chains and out-of-town or Wall Street owners within a smaller or midsized community, the higher the poverty rate might be expected to be.

The more local innovation, creativity and entrepreneurs there are, coupled with active support of such by the various community’s government entities; the greater expectation for an increase in the average household incomes. #5 – Higher Financial Return Downtown.

Dollars invested in the community’s downtown district return on average approximately 30% higher return on their investment or ROI. There is no better return a community can make of their tax dollars than stimulating the return of the heart /LocalUmbrellaMedia

and soul to a community’s downtown. #6 – Housing Market Stimulation. Want to grow the real estate values in and around your downtowns? It has been shown that by returning the vibrancy, heart and soul of your community to the downtown, you can also expect to see an increase in surrounding real estate values as well.

Not only does this create renewed pride in the community, it grows the real estate ad valorem tax base, which benefits the school as well as the entire community.

As we indicated in previous columns, it isn’t that Big Boxes, Chains and out-of-town or Wall Street owned business are bad, that isn’t the case at all.

The devil is always in the details, or in this case, the devil is in the balance. Cities that find a way to balance the growth of the Big Box or Chain segment of the community ALONG with the growth and support of the Truly Local business segment will find an economic balance that leads to great prosperity.

True balance is achieved by understanding.

Communities must understand and realize that Big Box and Chains are only a fraction of the foundation from which to build. The Truly Local concentration, which brings true vibrancy to your community, will bring the true prosperity every community seeks. Additionally, it is all about building and creating uniqueness in your community, something that only a Truly Local concentration can create. As we will discus in the future, uniqueness will become vital in the new and emerging economics of your community.

John A. Newby, author of the “Building Main Street, Not Wall Street “ column dedicated to helping communities combine synergies with local media companies allowing them to not just survive, but thrive in a world where Truly Local is lost to Amazon, Wall Street chains and others. His email is: john@360MediaAlliance.net

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10 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

The Imperial Beach Boulevard Enhancement Project was initiated by the City of Imperial Beach to improve mobility, accessibility, landscaping, and water quality while addressing infrastructure deficiencies along Imperial Beach Boulevard from Seacoast Drive to 14th Street. The overall objective is to create complete green streets that provide better quality connections between residences, schools, transit stops, community attractors, and businesses while incorporating needed utility improvements. The project should enhance multimodal mobility and make Imperial Beach Boulevard into a desirable corridor along which to walk, bike, drive, and live. Overall, the project achieves all of its intended Goals.

Source: https://www.ibblvd-2020.com/ with like-minded people.

Biking and walking help to foster a community spirit and the feeling of unity.

Communities that embrace biking and walking encourage the development of commercial facilities that support daily activities within the community and hence support the local economy.

Create a ridable, walkable, and, most importantly, livable environment.

The Imperial Beach Boulevard Enhancement project includes 1.6 miles of bike lanes and will be one of the main east-west bike connectors in the City. The project also includes enhancing pedestrian facilities making walking a more enjoyable experience.

Some advantages of walking and biking are listed below: Health Benefits: Incorporating walking and biking in your daily routine is a simple way to increase the amount of exercise you get. Health benefits include: Increased Longevity Lower Risk of Heart Disease & Stroke Reduced Risk of Cancer Fighting the Diabetes Epidemic Improved Mental Health Reduced Traff ic: As people adopt biking and walking to perform daily activities and commuting, the roads become less congested leading to: More reliable travel times Reduced traff ic delays Increased access to destinations Reduced transportation costs Social & Economic Benefits: Residents in towns where bicycling and walking are popular have the opportunity to connect and engage

Environmental Benefits: Fossil fuel dependent transportation is the leading contributor of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) (28.5% in the United States). GHGs trap warmer temperature in the atmosphere leading to an increase in overall temperature resulting in climate change, sea level rise, wildfires, droughts, and public health concerns. Reducing traff ic by choosing to bike or walk can reduce GHG contribution.

Calm traff ic to make a safer walking and biking experience, especially near schools.

Traff ic calming features are used to reduce vehicle speeds and make it safer and more comfortable for other modes to coexist with automobiles. A variety of traff ic calming features are available for use in streetscape design. Streets such as Imperial Beach Boulevard are expected to attract pedestrians and bicyclists, and hence, streetscape design with strategically incorpo-

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rated traff ic calming features will help maintain speed limit while encouraging walkability and bike-ability.

Some of the traff ic calming features included in the design of Imperial Beach Boulevard Enhancement Project are listed below: Medians: A median is the portion of the roadway separating opposing directions of the road or separating local lanes from through travel lanes. The presence of a raised median as proposed for this project gives the perception of narrower lanes, in turn causing vehicles to slow down. Medians also reduce the length of the crossing if accompanied by a median island, providing safer crossing conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Reduced Lane Widths: Lane widths vary typically from 10 to 12 feet. For roadways with speeds less than 45 miles per hour, narrower lane widths are quite adequate and have some advantages. Narrow roadway widths discourage speeding. The excess space, on the other hand, can be repurposed to provide other streetscape features.

Curb Extensions/Bulbouts: Curb extensions/ bulb-outs are present at driveways and intersections.

They can be effective at intersections in reducing crossing length and increasing visibility, making crossing safer for pedestrians and bicyclists. The presence of curb extensions/bulb-outs gives the perception of narrower lanes, in turn causing vehicles to slow down. This space can be used for landscaping, creating community character and a pedestrian-friendly environment.

High Visibility Crosswalks: Marked crosswalks are most effective when they can be identified easily

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by motorists and pedestrians. They should present a visual contrast with the surface of the street. All major-minor and minor-minor intersections as well as at midblock crossings should include marked crosswalks.

Continental crosswalks which provide higher visibility will be the ones installed on Imperial Beach Boulevard.

Beautif y the entrance gateway into the City of Imperial Beach.

Gateways provide a unique sense of identity to a place and provide an entry point to a city or a destination.

They should relate to the local culture and heritage and should be sensitive to the physical setting. Each gateway can vary in size and can be developed in a variety of ways such as 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional art installation, architectural element, landscaping, lighting, monument, and so on.

The Imperial Beach Boulevard project will install gateway elements at the eastern end of the City. Proposed is an eye-catching brightly colored surfboard themed embedded concrete installation at the east end of the City. The gateway elements include graphics speaking to the culture of the community as a beach city, a roadway median with improved landscaping featuring a Royal Palm and drought

tolerant plants, a monument highlighting existing entry, adequate lighting, and enriched paving and green bike lanes will complete the gateway feel of the space. Click here to view a conceptual rendering of the Gateway Section featuring various elements.

Make the Tijuana Estuary a worldclass ecotourist destination.

Estuaries and their surrounding wetlands are bodies of water found where rivers meet the sea. These areas are home to unique plant and animal life that have adapted to brackish water—a mixture of river water and seawater. The Tijuana Estuary is one of the few remaining salt estuaries in Southern California. The City is looking at taking this opportunity to turn this area into an ecotourism destination. According to the Tijuana Estuary visitor center, the site is an essential breeding, feeding and nesting ground and key stopover point on the Pacific Flyway for over 370 species of migratory and native birds, including several endangered species.

These delicate ecosystems must be protected while educating the visitors of their importance. The ecotourism activities minimize the negative aspects of conventional tourism and help educate the traveler while providing funds for

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Enhancing the frontage of the estuary is one of the critical objectives of this project. Proposed is a multiuse path from Seacoast Drive to 3rd Street, which will include interpretative signs and will enhance the walking and biking environment from the beach to the Tijuana Estuary trailhead.

A multi-use path will support eco-tourism and draw additional people to come and enjoy the Estuary. This multi-use path will also provide a planned connection to the Bayshore Bikeway via Seacoast Drive and Palm Avenue. This connection is part of the City of Imperial Beach Bicycle Transportation Plan. Additional benches and bicycle parking will enhance the Estuary’s trailhead. Other features include a viewing platform, seating amenities, education, signage, lighting, low-impact landscaping, and so on.

Click here to view a conceptual rendering of the Estuary Gateway featuring various elements.

press Ave, 2nd Street, and Elder Avenue. The conduits can be used for the transmission of large amounts of data and cable signals at very high speeds.

Showcase sustainable and multi-benefit transportation and stormwater infrastructure.

Multi-benefit transportation: This Mobility Assessment evaluates the existing and proposed facilities for all modes of travel to assess corridor need for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users,

Quarantined artists hope painted rocks lift finders’ heavy burdens

Escondido native Ceci Lusky has been painting and hiding rocks for years, but this spring she painted a series of rocks for her daughter, Allison Lusky Reue, and some of Allison’s college friends. Reue would have graduated Saturday with her master’s degree in nursing from the University of San Diego, but the commencement was canceled due to the pandemic.

So to honor the hard work and sacrifices of her daughter and her fellow graduating nurses, Lusky

painted a series of rocks depicting nurses wearing surgical face masks and caps. She said she painted them “because nurses rock,� particularly right now as front-line health-care workers. “She worked so hard to do this and even if we can’t have a graduation celebration for her (Saturday) ... we’ll make the best of it,� said Lusky, who is board chair for the Escondido Community Child Development Center.

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and automobiles, as well as the potential effectiveness of the Imperial Beach Boulevard project. The multimodal analysis was completed for Imperial Beach Boulevard from Seacoast Drive to 13th Street. A mobility assessment tool used for this project to evaluate the impact of proposed improvements on 4 segments of the roadway.

Segment-1: Seacoast drive to 3rd Street Segment-2: 3rd Street to Connecticut Street Segment-3: Connecticut Street to 9th Street Segment-4: 9th Street to 13th Street

Repair and address underground utility deficiencies.

Roadway construction gives a perfect opportunity not only to repair and address underground utility issues but also make provisions for future utilities. The project includes underground utility repairs/ additions along Imperial Beach Boulevard.

Click here to refer to the project map. In addition, the project also proposes the installation of a fiber optic conduit along Imperial Beach Boulevard, 9th street, and parts of 10th Street, Cy-

VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

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Below are the results of assessment Conditions for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit improved in all four segments.

Peak hour traff ic conditions remained same in segments 1 and 2 and had minimal impact on segments 3 and 4 Parking improved in segments 1,3 and 4, and had minimal impact on segment 2

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Stormwater infrastructure: The project includes numerous pop-outs/bulbouts which not only serve to calm traff ic and enhance the pedestrian experience but are designed to include landscaping in the form of flow-through planters that will intercept stormwater, allowing a portion of it to infiltrate the ground and some to evaporate into the air, before any remaining water enters the stormwater system. The water that will flow into the stormwater will be filtered and cleaned by plants making it much cleaner than if it flowed directly into the stormwater from the street. Water that enters the drain may flow to beaches and the Tijuana Estuary. Filtering this water before it enters the stormwater system ensures that it is cleaner and will have less impact on these water bodies and the environment. Also, trash and debris collectors will be installed to further clean water before it enters any natural water bodies.

 Matthew Steitz named principal of The Preuss School UC San Diego After a nationwide search, Matthew Steitz has been appointed principal of The Preuss School UC San Diego, effective July 1. Most recently, Steitz served as assistant superintendent of educational excellence for the Vista Unified School District.

The Preuss School is a unique charter middle and high school for low-income students who strive to become the first in their families to graduate from college.

Located on the University of California San Diego campus, the school was recently recognized as the #1 high school in San Diego County by U.S. News & World Report.

As principal, Steitz will work closely with Helen V. Griff ith, executive director of The Preuss School, to build the capacity of scholars, faculty, staff, parents and community partners.

Prior to joining The Preuss School, Steitz served as executive director of secondary curriculum and instruction as well as interim chief academic off icer at the Vista Unified School District. His lead-

ership experience also includes assistant principal of San Marcos High School as well as principal of Carlsbad High School.

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12 VOL. 5 ISSUE 5 12

12 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

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San Diego Music Awards Stay Safe, San Diego

@muSiCSCeneSd @muSiCSCeneSd// //muSiCSCene muSiCSCeneSd Sd.COm .COm

J MAY UN LYE 22020 2002200 San Diego’s live music scene is at a standstill, but there is

still quite a bit of activity from the area’s musicians, past and present. In these uncertain times, folks in the arts need our support more than ever - please consider picking up a new release or some merch from your favorite local performers, but even justsisted a “like” on a post of local TV and radio personnado, Evan Diamond and Gregory The 29th annual San Diego Music alities, including Tim Pyles (91XPage who was joined by Raining Awards (SDMA) can were held on July or video make someone’s day.

Jane singer/guitarist Chaska Potter FM), Kathleen Bade (Fox 5-TV) and 6 in a virtual edition. Delayed from an earlier March date, it’s normally the biggest party of the year for the area’s music community, however this year’s pandemic brought the event online for the first time.

Using pre-recorded segments and live hosts, Meryl Klemow and Rick Lawrence, the show was a winning mix of humor, timely messages and great songs. Funds raised through the event go to the San Diego Music Foundation’s Covid Relief Fund For Nominees, with the event itself still viewable via the SDMA Youtube page.

28 awards were handed out, with performances from The Sleepwalkers, MDRN HSTRY, Sully, Rebecca Jade & the Cold Fact, David Maldo-

and Grammy winner, Jason Mraz.

The year’s top award, Artist of The Year, went to singer Rebecca Jade, whose performance at the SDMA’s was one of the shows many highlights. Well on her way to international stardom, in addition to her own music, she’s also part of Shiela E’s group and works with a variety of other artists, such as Elton John, who she performed with at this year’s Academy Awards. Meanwhile, Album of the Year, went to Switchfoot’s, Native Tongue and the 2020 Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Richard Livoni who performed with his band, the Blitz Brothers.

As in past, awards presenters con-

Dave Scott (KUSI-TV), but for many, one of the biggest surprises was the host of sports and music legends that took part, among them basketball’s Bill Walton, skateboard icon Tony Hawk and baseball hero Tim Flannery as well as Sha Na Na’s John “Jocko” Marcellino, guitarist Marcos Curiel of hard rockers P.O.D. and hit songwriter Steve Poltz.

A great way to catch a diverse cross section of San Diego’s vibrant music community, the SDMA’s are already look ahead to the 30th anniversary of the event. With this year’s edition, they’ve set the bar quite high. www.sandiegomusicawards.com

BY MENDOZA BY BART MENDOZA BYBART BART MENDOZA BY BART MENDOZA

29th Annual San Diego Music Awards winners

ariel levine levine’s ’s new new single single drops drops may may 22.

22. “it’s “it’s #4 #4 of of Jason mraz mraz unveils unveils his his new new album, album, looking looking for for The The ariel Jason 7 upcoming upcoming singles singles and and it’s it’s the the first first cover cover song, song, good,, on on June June 19.

19. in in the the meantime, meantime, the the album’s album’s 7 good “maybe This Time” from the musical Cabaret . reggae tinged title track is out as the albums first single. single. “maybe This Time” from the musical Cabaret. reggae tinged title track is out as the albums first Artist of the Year: Rebecca Jade Album of the Year: Switchfoot, “Native Tongue” • Missy Alcazar’s new song “Salamat Sa Iyo” Iyo” can can •• The The Wayne Wayne Riker Riker Gathering Gathering is is back back in in the the stustuSongAlcazar’s of the Year: The song Frets, “Naïve Adolescence” • Missy new “Salamat Sa be heard heard inDick the Montana new TLC TLCLifetime network series, 90 90Award: Day Richard dio working working on on a a new new album, album, Blues Blues Lightning Lightning.. It’s It’s be in the new network series, Day dio Country Achievement Fiancé: Self Quarantined guitarist Riker’s 13t h overall with guest vocalists Fiancé: Self Quarantined guitarist Riker’s 13th overall with guest vocalists “Blitz” Livoni set to to include include Lauren Lauren Leigh Leigh Martin, Martin, Michele Michele LunLunset Best New Artist: The Shanghais R&B Acclaimed 1970’s 1970’s era era prog-rockers prog-rockers HorsefeathHorsefeath- deen, deen, Leonard Leonard Patton, Patton, Shelle Shelle Blue, Blue, Scott Scott MathiMathi•• Acclaimed Best Singer/Songwriter: Nina Francis ers have a new collection of their vintage tracks, asen and Deanna ers have a new collection of their vintage tracks, asen and Deanna Best Jazz:For Euphoria BrassMice Band,, out Symphony For A Million Million Mice out now. now. Of Of the the Haala Symphony A Haala title track they say, “We explore the challenge of Best Jazz Album: Nathan Hubbard Trio, “ This Stream” title track they say, “We explore the challenge of entertaining aTaryn bunch of hyperactive hyperactive rodents.” rodents.”

Beach rock rock quintet quintet Sandollar Sandollar placed placed their their song song entertaining bunch of •• Beach Best Blues:a Donath “Up Up” Up” on on the the new new Netflix Netflix series series Outer Outer Banks.

Banks.

“Up Best Blues Album: Shane Hall, “ West River Queen” • Ariel Levine ’s new single drops May 22.

“It’s The song turns up at approximately 11 minutes • Ariel Levine’s new single drops May 22. “It’s The song turns up at approximately 11 minutes Best Country or Americana: Theit’s Sleepwalkers #4 of of 7 upcoming upcoming singles and and the first first cover cover into the the first first episode. episode. Thier Thier new new album, album, Roller Roller #4 7 singles it’s the into Best Country or Americana Album: Trouble in the Wind, “All the song, “Maybe This Time” from the musical CabaCoaster, is available on Pacific Records. song, “Maybe This Time” from the musical Caba- Coaster, is available on Pacific Records. ret.. Boys” ret A new new biography biography of of legendary legendary sitar sitar player player Ravi Ravi Best Hip Hop/Rap: Riston Diggs & Sly Beats •• A • The Midnight Pine have released a new vinyl Shankar will be published by Genesis Publica• The Midnight released a new vinyl Shankar will be published by Genesis PublicaBest Hip Hop Pine or Raphave Album: Parker Meridien, “ The Bully Pulpit” album, Live Live at at A.D. A.D. tions in in October.

October. album, tions Best Indie/Alternative: Aviator Stash Best Mraz Indie/Alternative Ten Bulls, “Physicians Magician” Jason unveils his hisAlbum: new album, album, Looking Congrats to to blues blues singer singer Whitney Whitney Shay!

Shay! She She •• Jason Mraz unveils new Looking •• Congrats Best Pop: Johnny Tarr For The The Good Good,, on on June June 19.

19. In In the the meantime, meantime, the the released her her latest latest album, album, Stand Stand Up Up,, on on FebruFebruFor released album’s reggae tinged title track is out as the ary 21, ultimately scoring the #1 Billboard Blues Best Pop Album: Chloetitle Lou and TheisLiddells, album’s reggae tinged track out as “Storybook” the ary 21, ultimately scoring the #1 Billboard Blues albums first single. album on on April April 18.

18. albums album Best first Rocksingle. : MDRN HSTRY Best Rock Album: The Schizophonics, “People In The Sky” The Monroes have have a a brand brand new new song song and and Guitarist Johnny Johnny Vernazza Vernazza appears appears on on the the •• The Monroes •• Guitarist Best World Music: Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi video, “Caught “Caught In In The The Balance.”

Balance.” Meanwhile, Meanwhile, their their new new compilation compilation album, album, NOW NOW That’s That’s What What II Call Call video, Best World Music Album: Marujah, “Gypsy Noise Ritual” classic tune “What Do All The People Know” has Yacht Rock 2.

He appears with Elvin Bishop on classic tune “What Do All The People Know” has Yacht Rock 2. He appears with Elvin Bishop on been covered by former formerSure Runaways singer Cherie Cherie the song song “Fooled “Fooled Around Around and and Fell Fell in in Love.”

Love.”

Best Local Recording: Fire Soul Ensemble, “Build Bridges” been covered by Runaways singer the Currie!

Currie!

Best Live Band: Sully

Heavy metal metal favorites favorites Ratt Ratt are are in in the the latest latest •• Heavy round of commercials from Geico insurance, fearound of commercials from Geico insurance, featuring their their 1985 1985 hit, hit, “Round “Round and and Round.”

Round.” turing

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The Village Village People People -- which which includes includes North North •• The County’s Victor Victor Willis Willis (aka (aka The The Policeman) Policeman) -- has has County’s had their song, “Y.M.C.A.” inducted into the Lihad their song, “Y.M.C.A.” inducted into the Library of of Congress’s Congress’s National National Recording Recording Registry.

Registry. brary

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 13

Pa c i f i c Re c o r ds / CEO Br i a n Wi t k i n

Over the past few decades San Diego has morphed into a true music center. Sure there is plenty of great talent, but additionally many instrument makers are located here, such as Taylor Guitars, while music instrument distribution centers including Hammond Organ manufacturers, Suzuki, are also in San Diego. There are also several local music labels which have made the grade on a national level. Such is the case with Point Loma based Pacific Records.

albums benefiting America Salutes You, a nonprofit promoting mental health and supporting first responders and the military. The series is hosted by ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons and has included other notable artists such as Dave Navarro, Stephen Stills, and Warren

eventually see a solo Brian Witkin release?

“Yes, I have been demoing a lot of material since the stay at home order at my home studio and there may be a solo release on the horizon.” Upcoming Pacific Records releases include albums from The Moon Jacks

Haynes to name a few. I was very pleased that the most recent Guitar Legends Series took place in here in San Diego as part of the finale at the Wonderfront Music & Arts Festival. “

and The Josh Rosenblum Band.What does Witkin look for in an artist to be considered for the label? “It really depends on a lot of factors,” he said. “Having a solid music ability both live and in the studio is the starting point. From there, we look for other things you’d expect labels to look at, such as online analytics, how much the artist is performing, etc. I also can’t emphasize enough how important work ethic and drive are: we weigh those very heavily when looking at an artist.”

Witkin pauses to note the whole package is important when working with someone. “A little humility goes a long way too,” Witkin said good naturedly.

Helmed by CEO and Entertainment Attorney Brian Witkin, the label has released music across genres, including notable releases by the likes of hard rockers Sprung Monkey, boy band O-town and classical guitarist Lito Romero in their catalog. For Witkin, the San Diego area is the perfect location for his label. “We’re close enough to the action (LA) that going to a studio session or business meeting for a day is still manageable, but we have that laid back and supportive San Diego atmosphere I don’t think I’ll ever want to leave.” He considers our town itself as the reason for the label. “ The inspiration for Pacific has always been the lifestyle,” he said.

“Since we’re genre agnostic, what ties us together is that laid-back beachy vibe that I mentioned earlier. Our team, myself included, is made up of musicians, surfers, skaters etc., so that’s the inspiration for our brand.” He notes that there was previous Warner Brothers distributed label under the same name, but there is no connection.

How has being an attorney affected the label? “I started pursuing my law degree with the intention of practicing entertainment law from the beginning,” Witkin said. “My experience as a musician, producer and record company CEO gives me a unique perspective most entertainment lawyers don’t have; I’m better able to relate to and understand creators’ needs because I am one too.

While the music business has never been easy, in recent months the pandemic situation has made things even tougher. Still Witkin remains driven. “Well, I’m a musician first and my favorite thing to do is to play and make music. If I can’t be doing that all the time, supporting artists and promoting music is the next best thing,” he remarked.

He points out that Pacific Records is staying proactive. “We’re launching a multi-faceted campaign assisting artists both on and off the label,” he said. “Our strategy includes accelerating our release schedule, live streaming shows, and a charity compilation record featuring Sprung Monkey and O-Town, as well as other national acts, on and off the label, to be announced soon.”

Does he have a favorite label release? “I’m particularly proud of the many charitable releases that we have done over the years,” he said. “One that stands out to me is “Guitar Legends”, which is an ongoing series of live Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

Besides running the label, Witkin also performs with his band Cambrian Shores.

“While we’re all really bummed our shows have been cancelled, we’ve been keeping busy recording and rehearsing while maintaining our social distance, with new music right around the corner,” he said. “We’ll be releasing “ The Coming Home EP” on Friday August 14th and the title track will be released exclusively with iTunes in conjunction with the pre-order on July 24th.” Might we /LocalUmbrellaMedia

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14 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

Whi t ne y Sha y / Si ngi ng The Bl ue s

Earlier this year blues singer Whitney Shay released her highly anticipated album, Stand Up, the precursor to a renewed round of world touring. Sadly the current situation has brought the latter to a standstill, but Shay remains not only one of the hottest talents in San Diego, but also one of the brightest names currently taking the world stage by storm. At least initially, 2020 was off to a good start. She recently signed a three album deal with German label, Ruf Records and pre-pandemic had been on a label package tour that saw her criss-crossing the globe. Meanwhile, she was nominated in the “Best Blues Artist” category at this year’s San Diego Music Awards. She’s previously won four trophies, including 2019 “Artist of the Year” and “Best Blues Album.”

Ironically, Stand Up is the result of the release party for her previous album. “In 2018, when A Woman Rules The World, was released, a booking agent from Germany came to my release party at the Belly Up Tavern, and

he in turn recommended me to the label,” she recalled. “Having been an artist who’s done things

when I did it all myself sometimes it got to be overwhelming.”

What’s the significance of the

on my own the last ten years, (I can say that) having a team to assist me with promoting my new release has been a godsend.

It allows me to reach a bigger market by getting to work with people who specialize in different facets of the business, whereas

album title? “Both the title and the song itself are actually about speaking up when you know something to be wrong,” Shay said. “Both my previous album and this album’s title are about making bold statements to the world, as I think that we’ve come to the time in our society where

we need to speak up for what we believe in.”

She points out a key difference between her new album and previous releases. “ The biggest difference is that this album features almost all original material for the first time,” Shay said. “My co-writing partner Adam J Eros and I started working on the songs about six months before we went into the studio. Since him and I were both traveling so much we had to schedule writing days far out in advance to make sure we made space for it. That’s changed a lot for me in the last couple years: I’ve dedicated a lot more energy into my own songwriting and original material.”

Why does Shay think blues music still resonates with the publics, especially on a worldwide level? “I always say because blues is about catharsis, the purging of sad experiences,” Shay replied. “And that is a universal message that everyone can understand regardless of the language that they speak.” www.whitneyshay.com

Thunderlux

ThunderLux have just released their long awaited debut album. “ Thirteen (rock) songs influenced by cartoon bands, comic books, Michigan, California, and the joy and pain of love,” says singer Laura Jane Wilcock, who is perhaps best known as vocalist for The Tighten Ups. The band also includes Thomas Yearsley (bass, The Paladins, owner/engineer of Thunderbird Analog Recording Studio), Emily O’Bannon-Robles (drums) and Leo Dombecki (keys, sax, guitar). While the band played a handful of shows, medical emergencies from both Dombecki and O’Bannon-Robles derailed the group in 2016, leaving an unfinished album. “It lay abandoned on an external hard drive in the vault,” said Wilcock. When the current health crisis shut down the studio, shut down The Paladins & shut down The Tighten Ups, Yearsley and Wilcock needed a musical project “to love and nurture,” Wilcock said. “ The ThunderLux songs were right there, ready for development, mixing and mastering, with a little extra tracking to flesh out a few songs.” www.luxrecordsusa.com/album/1648154/thunderlux

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 15

Mus i c Ne w s Upda t e s Black Mar k et III will have a new single and video out mid summer, for a cover of Tom Pett y ’s “Swingin’.”

Deat h Eyes have a new EP out via the Three One G label, State of Fear, complete with a video for the song, “Management Is Not Your Friend”.

Power metal band Deat h Deale r will have a new album out this fall, Conquered Lands.

The band includes Manowar / Dictators guitarist guitarist Ros s “ The Bos s ” Fr ie dman alongside vocalist Sean Pe ck , the latter also known for his work with Cage.

Singer-Songwriter As t ra Kell y will be release her new single, “In This Life” on 7/20.

It was recorded, mixed, and co-produced by Je ff Be r k ley and features Har ley Mags ino on upright bass and Tony Econom on drums.

Husband and wife comedy duo Pony Deat h Ride will soon be relocating to Vermont, but before they head out, they’ll release a new album, Unthemed. The album’s first video is for the tune “Cuddle Party,” directed by Je ff For r es t .

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Singer songwriter Ron Hous ton of The Six String Outlaws is working on a solo album, The Long Road Home.

Jock o Mar cellino of Sha Na Na has released a video for a new song, the topical “Wear A Mask”.

Mar ie Haddad provides guest vocals with the new combo, Butte r f lies , featuring Pea Hick s and Ke ns et h Thibideau. Their new album, Cocoon Tunes, is a fun, eclectic mix of pop, electronica and imagination. /LocalUmbrellaMedia

Keymon, perhaps better known as Ke ndr ick Dial of hip-hop favorites The Ly r ical Gr oove, has released a solo single and video. His new song, “Y’all Mad,” “uses hip hop, spoken word and song to address responses to protests and other forms of resistance by the Black community and their allies.”

The Rogue Pilot s have been recording at Pacific Beat Recording with Alan Sande r s on (Rolling Stones / Fleetwood Mac).

Trees (aka Dane Conove r ) have had “their” 1982 album Sleep Convention reissued with a dozen bonus tracks, including two alternate versions and the ten tracks that would’ve comprised his unreleased second album, Pandora’s Box.

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16 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 17 Stay Safe, San Diego e cOVID-19 pandemic creating an abundance of uncertainty for y out-of-work We love Imperial San Diegans, there may not be a better time enroll Beach and are is the region’s largest provider of workforce training DccD, which here for you! Spirit cation.

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18 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

NEW OUTPLACEMENT AND CAREER COUNSELING FIRM LEO & LOY LAUNCHED IN SAN DIEGO

L

eo & Loy announced its official grand opening during a Zoom event with key stakeholders earlier this week. The virtual ribbon cutting was the appropriate kick-off for the outplacement and career consulting firm, whose business model is entirely virtual. Founded

by Katie Molloy and Keegan Leopold, the firm provides personal and compassionate one-on-one coaching and assistance in all aspects of career transitions.

Leo & Loy supports small to midsize companies (up to 5,000 employees) that are going through a reduction in force, guiding individuals through career transitions.

Their nationwide team of professional recruiters has expertise in all aspects of the job search, from resume creation to guidance on job interviewing. The firm’s mission is to help make downsizing and career transitions more affordable and manageable for the employer,

Keegan Leeopold, co-founder and head of operations

employee and individuals who are ready for change.

“I’ve worked in just about every aspect of recruiting and placement

Former Taco Bell executive Rich Pinnella named president of Luna Grill

Katie Molloy, founder and president

over the past two decades,” said Katie Molloy, founder and president. “What I’ve enjoyed most is helping people get back on their feet after a layoff and working with

them through career transitions.

It’s incredibly rewarding to help someone identify their skills, create a compelling resume and give them the confidence to find the next wave of their career.”

Molloy has more than 25 years of professional experience in recruitment, workforce solutions, sales and operations.

«By employing recruitment professionals, we›re able to provide insight from the perspective of a potential employer,» said Keegan Leopold, co-founder and head of operations. «Recruitment professionals know how to write effective resumes faster, how to clean up or set up attractive social media profiles and teach our clients how to use the top job aggregators.»

Leo & Loy packages start at $190 for individual career consulting and $490 for outplacement.

‘Great Plates’ to continue delivering free meals to seniors through July 10

F

ormer Taco Bell executive Rich Pinnella has been named president of Luna Grill (www.LunaGrill.com), a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant with 50 locations throughout Southern California and the Dallas, Texas metro area.

Pinnella came to Luna Grill in the summer of 2019 as chief brand officer and has been instrumental in the implementation of processes and operational planning.

Company CEO and co-founder Sean Pourteymour has handed dayto-day operations over to Pinnella and will focus on long-term expansion moving forward.

Luna Grill has also recently added a new culinary vice president and first-ever digital catering director, focusing exclusively on online/mobile and take out order execution.

Pinnella will continue to direct the overall Luna Grill brand position and marketing efforts, working with the team already in place, with modifications to team member roles and possible new additions coming in the future.

Before making the move to Luna Grill in 2019, Pinnella was an exec-

Rich Pinnella, president of Luna Grill.

utive with Taco Bell for 20 years, serving the last seven as a vice president and general manager.

During that tenure, he directed U.S.based and International functional heads to deliver results across marketing, beverage, culinary, operations, and supply chain, through an international expansion to over 500 restaurants.

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More than 1,400 older adults in the “Great Plates Delivered” program will continue to receive three free and healthy meals a day until July 10, the county Health and Human Services Agency Announced.

Launched in mid-May, the program was set to expire June 10, but the federal government decided to expand it for 30 days.

The initiative is a collaboration between the County and local restaurants to help older adults, who are at a higher risk of developing complications from COVID-19, avoid going out to restaurants or the grocery store to get food.

Currently, 31 local restaurants are delivering meals to enrolled

seniors throughout San Diego County. The County is reimbursing restaurants for the cost of food, labor and incidentals, using a combination of funding provided by FEMA, the state and the County.

Those currently receiving assistance from other state or federal nutrition assistance programs, such as CalFresh or Meals on Wheels, are not eligible for the Great Plates Delivered program.

Participants must also fall within a specific income range.For more details on criteria or to sign up, call the County Aging and Independence Services at (800) 339-4661 or visit Great Plates. You can also call 2-1-1 San Diego.

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Edible San Diego E

dible San Diego stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. Our hearts are in pain at how recent and historic violence against Blacks reveals how far we have to go as a people. We commit to exploring how Edible San Diego can do more to promote more equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We are a small food media company, but we have high hopes and standards. We understand the value of the tools we have, including our editorial voice and growing platforms, and we will use them to more explicitly and consistently share content that promotes food justice.

The intentions of our editorial path over the four years I have owned this company have aimed at an ever-more inclusive vision of health and

wellness, for each of us individually and for all of our neighborhoods. We’ve explored the cultural richness of San Diego County’s food system because these stories reveal different interpretations of meaning, solutions, and opportunities to work together as a community. Edible San Diego commits to serving as a platform and loudspeaker for diverse points of view and calls to action.

We reaff irm our commitment to contract more Black writers, photographers and other professionals whose diverse life experiences can show us all some new ways forward.

We aff irm that freelance professionals deserve to be fairly compensated for their time and talent, and while our budget is small, we commit to

VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 19 deploying it towards a more inclusive editorial voice.

Over the past three years, we have worked to transform our company, building digital platforms to better connect with more people. We share in the struggles of entrepreneurship, drawing energy from our motivation to be of service. Part of our work is celebrating the intentions, hard work, talent, and courage of people who start, nurture, or make enormous efforts to maintain local companies of all sizes in our food system. At the same time, we acknowledge the far greater challenges that all workers, entrepreneurs and food-related businesses face with the intersectionality of race, gender, access to land, capital, training and more. We commit to telling more of these stories.

Like many of us, I have been reflecting on my personal and family experiences with cultural identity, my biases, privileges, and the frontiers of my understanding. I see myself (and each of us) as part of a network, and I aff irm that there is power in numbers and in cooperation. The diverse organizations and leaders carrying out progressive, conscious food-systems work that I am aff iliated with give me hope, ways to contribute, and tools for change in this historic moment.

I commit to amplify the impact of my personal time, resources and professional capacity in the service of more inclusivity in our local food system and our country.

In the coming days Edible San Diego will be sharing stories from our archives that came from our earlier efforts to explore our food system from multiple vantage points. Since last week, we have commissioned several stories to explore race in our food system and will continue to do so. As always, we welcome all ideas for stories and contributors any time 24/7/365.

We are here to listen, to learn, and to take more focused, sustained action as a local food media company.

he University of San Diego’s T Children’s Advocacy Institute will receive a grant of $100,000 as part of

the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Voices for Economic Opportunity Grand Challenge, an initiative supported by eight philanthropic organizations.

The grant was announced by The Schultz Family Foundation. USD’s institute was one of three organizations awarded $100,000.

USD’s Children’s Advocacy Institute Fostering Fairness will use the money to launch a peer-to-peer education campaign to raise awareness of the unfair policies that prevent former foster youth from escaping poverty.

Around 20,000 young adults age out of foster care each year in the U.S.; members of this population, which includes an overrepresentation of African American or Latino youth, suffer disproportionately from mental health problems and have little preparation and support to become self-suff icient. > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

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20 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

Improving your mood

Improving

P

BREATHE...

You've heard this one time and time again -just DO IT and reap the rewards. "Belly breathing" (rather than chest breathing).

This activates the "Vagus nerve," and naturally serves to relax you. Even as few as 4 breaths "in" (counting slowing to 4) and holding the air in for 4 counts then exhaling for a count of 8 each time can calm you on the spot. Concentrating on your breath even for those few minutes will distract your mind from the source of your stress. When we feel stress rise up in our bodies it's best to stop the escalation in its tracks before it gets out of control - as in "controls" us..

ue Tr

S tr e ss R el

To p

Quali

se

t

y

Tried &

ea

•

W i p r C y g b b m s t s

ACTS OF KINDNESS

SLEEP ENOUGH

Sleep during times of stress is sometimes hard to come by. You've probably heard some of the same suggestions repeated - sometimes they help you and sometimes they don't. The breathing exercise above can be really helpful. After you do the breathing exercise you may find yourself thinking...I'm still awake...this isn't working...and the next thing you know you're waking up to your alarm.

Though going to bed at the same time every night and waking up at the same time is recommended, it might take a little while to get into the swing of that if you've been keeping odd hours, so don't hit the pillow if you still feel wide awake, but read a book rather than binge on electronics. And IF you have to resort to a nap during the day, keep it to under 30 minutes and DON'T get into your bed - a power

Have you ever noticed that doing something nice for someone else actually makes YOU feel good? It's kind of a selfish good deed. Even taking the time to listen to an elderly neighbor's worries takes your mind off your own troubles and it's highly possible that your problems pale in comparison to someone else's. Even mowing someone's lawn without them asking you to do it is a gesture that engages several ways to relieve stress - all rolled into one good deed.

namp can do wonders but sleeping two or three hours during the day will not help you get on track - and you'll feel groggy for longer after you awake from a long nap. Are there LED lights from

electronics flashing in the dark? Does your TV have a "standby" light that stays on all night? These can also contribute to poor sleep. And the last tip... sleep in a VERY dark room. No night lights in the bedroom. Sleeeeeeep...zzzzzzz

Burlington Magazine | MAY â–Ş JUNE 2020

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F

MOVE YOUR BODY

(movement of ANY kind) Take a walk after dinner — alone if are in need of some "me time" or with a companion if that suits you better. Vacuum, brush the dog, sanitize the kitchen counter — just keep moving for a while. Sometimes just diving into a small project that's not too daunting can boost your mood.

It's the perfect time for a little "spring cleaning!" Just get moving a little to boost your mood. @LocalUmbrellaMedia Press@LocalUmbrella.com

H li t c c a c t f b le r b a t t p

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VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 21

Your Mood POSITIVE FOCUS

GRATITUDE

When stressful times like the ones we live in right now dominate our world, it's important to focus on what we CAN control rather than what we CAN'T control. You CAN control what you eat and how much you eat. You CAN control what time you go to bed and parts of your routine can be controlled. You CAN control your breathing. You CAN carve out a few minutes for yourself — you CAN and you should. Spend a few minutes watching the dog play or a squirrel frolic. You CAN slow down for a moment and recharge.

Practice this. Every time you find yourself thinking there's nothing to be grateful for, take a pause and look around you. Something as simple as discovering a corner of the top shelf of your pantry dedicated to a dozen gourmet teas you forgot were there can lift your spirits just long enough to move you into a different mindframe.

Is your family healthy? Are you among the lucky people who still have a job? Do you have enough to eat? There's ALWAYS something to be grateful for.

FEED YOUR BODY

Okay, this one sounds like permission to eat everything in sight. Maybe this is the time to put some time and effort into creating a new normal in terms of how you're nourishing your body. This doesn't have to be drastic, and probably shouldn't be. Change one (not-so-great) thing about your eating habits. Maybe you drink five cups of coffee a day and you cut down to four and exchange that fifth cup for water. By all means treat yourself here and there, but this isn't the time to go off the rails and ditch everything you know about eating right. (Now go dig out that smoothie blender and keep it on the countertop!)

ittle l a s k o ld lo The wor — try w o n t h t rig differen tions s e g g u s the f o e n o just o this! d n a c you — y a d o t

FEED YOUR MIND

How many things have you said you'd like to learn but you've never had time? There are SO many things you can learn at no cost to you — or you can enroll in a class that will actually add something to your resume that could change your financial life in the long run. Maybe you can never find time to read a series of historical books. Have you always wanted to learn another languate? When we're reading or learning it's very hard to be stressed or to worry because these activities afford us the opportunity to get lost in another world — one that doesn't remind us of our own problems. > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

FEED YOUR SOUL

Passions have a way of feeding our soul.

If you're a musician (closet musician or a pro) and that's fallen to the wayside, adding that to your daily routine will fill you up in ways nothing else can. Even if you're not a musicion and you simplylove music, pop those earbuds in and get lost in your favorite songlist — or take the time to explore new music and transport yourself to somewhere else and get lost in a serenade just for you. /LocalUmbrellaMedia

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22 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

St ude nt s Eme rge as Le ade r s Dur ing COVID-19 Thr ough Se r v ic e Le ar ning

(StatePoint) As learning has gone virtual to curb the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, educators and parents have been left with a pressing concern: how will this experience impact social and emotional development? “ The pandemic is having profound effects on children’s mental well-being, their social development, their safety, their privacy, their economic security and beyond,” a policy brief by the United Nations stated. “While children are not the face of this pandemic, its broader impacts on children risk being catastrophic and amongst the most lasting consequences for societies as a whole.”

While maintaining progress in core subject areas is imperative, a curriculum that develops leadership skills is equally essential to ensure that emotional development continues virtually.

An independent research study commissioned by Lead4Change found that students who completed the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program experienced tangible emotional growth. The program involves lessons in leadership, as well as creating and implementing team projects to meet a need in the community. Those that completed the program experienced significant changes in leadership skills (60 percent of students improved), respect for others (54 percent) and ambition and innovation (53 percent). Programs of this nature can be completed virtually by adapting projects to address current concerns, and they can not only succeed without physical contact, but offer unique

challenges that help students to grow as leaders.

Students at Mohave High School in Bullhead City, Ariz. reconsidered their project when quarantine began, creating a read-aloud library of developmentally appropriate books for preschoolers. With high schoolers reading preschoolers books and teaching them literacy and social

development skills, this resource allowed an early childhood program to continue virtually. “ The students developed a ‘can do attitude’ while working collaboratively to adapt to their new normal,” said teacher, Michele Leyendecker.

“With so much uncertainty, this project truly gave them purpose.”

The “ T-Bird Readers” team was

awarded Lead4Change’s grand prize, a $10,000 grant for a nonprofit of their choice.

In Garner, N.C., students participated in service learning and emerged as community leaders by directly addressing the local impact of the pandemic. The “Corona Relief Crew” collaborated with volunteers and vendors to create and distribute kits with essential food and supplies for the homeless and those in nursing homes who have been severely impacted by the pandemic.

“Being an adult leader for the Corona Relief Crew has caused a paradigm shift in how I view youth strength and their ability to lead,” educator Dr. Cleopatra Lacewell shared. “ This experience has taught me when students have well-organized plans, identified goals and established team structures, they can then perform as stellar leaders with minimum support.”

The Corona Relief Crew was also honored with Lead4Change’s $10,000 grand prize for their initiative. For more information about the Lead4Change Student Leadership Program, visit lead4change.org.

While distance learning’s impact on students’ education has been unprecedented, this disruption also has presented a unique opportunity for students to overcome obstacles and grow as leaders. With a service-learning project, students can gain a sense of purpose, lead real change in their local community and maintain a sense of unity that is integral during challenging times.

How to Eat to Feel Strong While Sheltering in Place

(StatePoint) With social distancing orders in place in many areas across the country, you may be doing your grocery shopping with shelf stability in mind. But this factor should not be your only priority.

Right now, it’s especially important that the foods you eat also support your health and longevity.

Here are three things to know about eating to feel strong while sheltering in place: 1. Empty Calories Should Get the Boot. Many products designed to last a long time don’t contain the vital nutrients your body needs, and instead, contain artificial ingredients that lead to quick energy and crash cycles. While empty calories will keep you alive, they won’t allow you to thrive, promoting fat over muscle and actually weakening your body’s ability to defend itself.

2. Nutrients Ignite Your Body’s Natural Power to Defend. The COVID-19 crisis highlights the fact that those with compromised

immune systems and those with chronic disease are often the most vulnerable to viral infection. Fortunately, you can help to boost your immunity and defend against certain chronic diseases with a nutrient-packed diet. Why? Nutrients nourish your cells, defend against free radicals, give you energy, and aid muscle growth and repair.

3. Eating to Thrive is Easier Than it Sounds. Getting the “Big Five” -- protein, vitamins, minerals, omega-3s and fiber -- doesn’t have to be a challenge during difficult situations. To get all your essential nutrients in every meal, consider stocking up on products supported by research, such as Nutrient Survival, a line of nutrient dense foods and drinks that are simple to make. Developed by a team of food scientists, researchers, chefs, outdoorsmen, survivalists and adventure athletes who were frustrated with the lack of effective emergency food options, these non-perishable snacks, drinks, entrées and

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Fuel your body right and give empty calories the boot. PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Yuliya Apanasenka / iStock via Getty Images Plus

even coffee are high in protein and contain 14 vitamins and 14 minerals, so you can provide your body with what it needs throughout the day.

To learn more, visit NutrientSurvival. com.

Social disruption should not stop your ability to survive and thrive.

In these challenging times, fueling your body right is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself.

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The new 100-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton at 771 Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach. Photo Courtesy Sudberry Properties

The new 100-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton at 771 Palm Avenue in Imperial Beach.

Courtesy Sudberry Properties San Diego-based Sudberry Properties and Tharaldson Hospitality Management of Illinois have opened a 100-room Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton in the historic center of Imperial Beach.

The four-story, 62,000-square-foot hotel features “beach modern� architecture, a fitness center, breakfast and lounge area, business center, outdoor swimming pool and free WiFi. Opening of the hotel at 771 Palm Avenue is the final phase of Breakwater Town Center, a public-private partnership by Imperial Beach and Sudberry Properties designed to energize the historic city center. The development occupies a prominent 4.75-acre site that serves as the gateway to Imperial Beach and Coronado. “Not only will this landmark, beautiful new hotel be an invaluable resource for visitors, but it will have a major positive economic impact on our community,� said Serge Dedina, the mayor of Imperial Beach. “Its very cool beach modern design makes it the perfect hotel for families looking for awesome beach time, traveling surfers, and the distinguished Navy SEALs who train nearby,� Dedina added.

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Colton Sudberry, president of Sudberry Properties, said his firm was “honored to pave the way for the prestigious Hilton brand to enter the Imperial Beach market.�

He noted that the Navy campus under construction just over a mile away will serve 3,300 personnel and be a boon to the new center as well as other businesses throughout Imperial Beach. “ The addition of vibrant new retailers, restaurants, and homes in Imperial Beach, following the opening of Breakwater Town Center, has been /LocalUmbrellaMedia

very encouraging,� Sudberry said. “It has been exciting to be at the forefront of the transformation of Imperial Beach.�

The development team included architect Joseph Wong of JWDA of San Diego, Design Cell Architecture of Las Vegas, and Watkins Landmark Construction of Carlsbad.

Since its inception in 1979, Sudberry Properties has developed approximately 12.6 million square feet of commercial and residential property with a market value exceeding $2.5 billion.

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Stay Safe, San Diego

California’s no-bid contracts for pandemic supplies reveal collapsed deals, untested vendors S

ome of the contracts topped out at a half-billion dollars. And in a few instances, readily available public records and some Googling should have raised potential red flags.

A medical equipment supplier that was once raided by the FBI. A business executive fined for making false or misleading statements in financial reports. A corporation fined for Medicaid fraud. At least two companies that had existed less than a week.

These are among the hundreds of vendors the state of California has contracted with, or nearly gone into business with, as government off icials rushed to prepare for the coronavirus pandemic.

While normal bidding and vetting procedures have been suspended during the state of emergency, California has entered into roughly $3 billion worth of no-bid contracts for masks, ventilators, call-center workers and other supplies and services to respond to the health crisis, the state’s procurement database shows.

Some of the vendors are established companies the state has been doing business with for a long time, but others are newcomers that launched amid a chaotic quest for medical supplies. The nationwide scramble kicked off in March when President Donald Trump told governors that states were on their own to secure equipment necessary to manage the pandemic.

Some of the contracts topped out at a half-billion dollars. And in a few instances, readily available public records and some Googling should have raised potential red flags. “Unfortunately, there was a big rush� for equipment around the world, said Francesco Decarolis, an economist at Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, and former Stanford University assistant professor with expertise in U.S. procurement policy. “ There was fear of not doing things in time, and under emergency situations normal procedures are bypassed, and it’s very hard to ensure that things run smoothly. This is a wakeup call.�

Gov. Gavin Newsom said the state hasn’t lost a penny — though a series of deals that collapsed or stalled have delayed California’s effort to obtain a huge volume of N95 masks. In one case, the state yanked its money back after bankers raised suspicions about a $456.9 million wire transfer to a company called Blue Flame, an intended down payment for 100 million N95 masks, as first reported by CalMatters. The payment and swift reversal were detailed in records obtained from the state Treasurer’s Off ice.

A subsequent deal to buy N95 masks from a company called BYD was delayed because federal health off icials did not initially certify the > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

masks. After the company missed two deadlines to earn certification, the state extended the contract again last week. The federal occupational safety agency certified the masks Monday, Newsom announced, adding that the company would begin shipping the first of 150 million N95s to California later this week. BYD already refunded half of its initial $495 million payment after blowing an earlier certification deadline.

Asked last week about delays with the BYD transaction, Newsom said: “Under the contract, we pay for what we get. We don’t pay for things we don’t get.�

Newsom’s staff declined to answer a question from CalMatters about whether the governor was personally involved in approving any pandemic contracts.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom looks out at rows of graves before a wreath laying ceremony in the cemetery at the Veterans Home of California May 22, 2020, in Yountville. Photo by Eric Risberg, AP Photo/Pool Many of the statewide contracts for pandemic supplies flowed through the Department of General Services, the state’s so-called business manager. Department spokeswoman Monica Hassan said in an email that no purchase is made without approval from the department’s chief procurement off icer. And “high dollar� orders are reviewed and discussed by additional DGS executives, she said.

Since the pandemic began, California off icials have distributed 46 million N95 masks and 104 million procedure masks, according to state data.

Mark Ghilarducci, Newsom’s director of emergency services, has said the state improved its vetting process after the Blue Flame deal collapsed, and that law enforcement off icials are now involved in reviewing potential vendors.

A review of purchase orders and no-bid contracts the state entered into for coronavirus supplies and services, each worth at least $10 million, shows California doing business — or on the brink of doing business — with a handful of vendors who have had brushes with the law or are simply untested.

A company called MedSupply America, for example, lists an Arizona address on its website but filed incorporation papers in Wyoming on April 14. The very same day, it landed a $10.6 million contract with the state of California. The state agreed to buy 3 million N95 medical masks from MedSupply, according to its contract, and the company planned to ship them all by the end of April.

But MedSupply America has had a hard time getting ahold of the coveted N95 masks, a /LocalUmbrellaMedia

company spokesman said. So while it’s hoping to deliver at least some of the N95s later this month, he said, it’s also trying to sell the state on a substitute mask it’s marketing. “We will be selling (the N95s) as we can acquire them,� said Kenn Lindh, director of marketing for MedSupply America. “We are really pushing them to our mask because it’s a 30-day mask.�

Branded as “InvisiSmart,� the mask can be reused for up to 30 days, Lindh said, during which the “InvisiSmart� logo fades until it becomes invisible, signaling the mask is no longer effective. It’s a pleated surgical-style mask covered with what Lindh described as an antimicrobial titanium dioxide coating that kills the coronavirus on contact. “Anything that gets near your face, it kills the virus,� he said.

He acknowledged that California hasn’t yet agreed to buy the InvisiSmart masks, although he’s preparing samples for state off icials to evaluate.

An epidemiologist contacted by CalMatters urged the state to be cautious. “ This product makes some concerning claims without any data or research to back it up,� Saskia Popescu, a senior infection prevention epidemiologist at George Mason University, said by email after reviewing the company’s website and a scientific study. “A procedural mask has filters built into it to prevent microbes from getting in, so this attempt at making it microbe-resistant doesn’t make sense.�

She said a scientific study of a similar product — a titanium dioxide coating sprayed on hospital surfaces — found it had no effect in reducing the growth of microbes. The study, unrelated to COVID-19, was published in 2018 in the Journal of Hospital Infection.

Lindh said the company is working on getting certification from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: “We want to have the best product available out there.�

MedSupply America isn’t the first brand-new company California has gone into business with in its quest to get masks. On March 26, the state wired $456.9 million to Blue Flame Medical — a company two political operatives had created just three days earlier, according to Delaware incorporation records. The state rushed to get its money back after bankers involved in the wire transfer alerted state off icials that they thought the transaction might be fraudulent.

Since then, Congress has announced an inquiry into the company and the Washington Post reported that the federal Department of Justice

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Stay Safe, San Diego opened a criminal investigation focused at least on Blue Flame’s failed deals with Maryland and California.

“Widespread shortages of (personal protective equipment) are putting both health care workers’ and patients’ lives at risk,” leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce wrote in a May 18 letter to Blue Flame. “ The serious consequences stemming from PPE shortages are pushing states and localities to turn to new and unproven companies with limited experience in the medical supply industry to supply this critical medical equipment.”

Blue Flame has not yet responded to the letter, a committee spokesperson said, and the company’s attorney declined to comment for this article.

Among other California big-dollar mask deals that fell apart: a nearly $800 million contract with Bear Mountain Development Co. LLC. That company, run by former Alabama Attorney General Troy King, failed to deliver, the Los Angeles Times reported last month.

FREMONT, CA – MARCH 19: Nurses at the Kaiser Permanente hospital in Fremont including Madelaine Cuevas, left, protest urging the hospital to give them the right protective equipment such as N95 masks and goggles, on March 19, 2020, in Fremont, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group) CalMatters discovered yet another failed attempt by the state of California to obtain millions of N95 masks from a vendor inexperienced in obtaining medical supplies. According to state documents, a $550 million purchase order prepared by the California Department of General Services outlined a deal with Syrup Ventures, a trade financing company. The business address is a 3,500-square-foot home in Houston belonging to Charles Leaver, who describes himself on LinkedIn as Syrup’s chairman and co-founder.

Had Syrup’s purchase order gone through, it would have been one of the state’s largest COVID-19-related contracts.

“We never had any official agreement,” Leaver told CalMatters. “ There was a conditional agreement that was set up, but nothing was ever met and nothing was ever done.”

Syrup canceled the deal with California, a spokesperson for the Department of General Services said, because the vendor couldn’t deliver the goods.

It’s unclear whether California officials knew that in 2006, Leaver was assessed a $30,000 civil penalty in a Texas federal court after he and 12 others were sued by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission over an alleged stock manipulation scheme. The SEC had accused Leaver of making false or misleading statements in financial reports for a software company he once ran. Federal court documents show Leaver did not admit or deny the allegations in the SEC complaint.

“No charges were ever brought,” Leaver said. “I can serve on a board. And I can be a CEO of a public company.”

The quest for masks wasn’t the only thing attracting some unusual players to California’s system of government contracting. The state in April agreed to buy $139 million worth of ventilators and related equipment from Ashli Healthcare Inc., a medical supply company that was raided by the FBI in 2013.

Neither Ashli nor its owner, Heriberto Diaz of Bakersfield, were charged with any crime or assessed any penalties. In January 2018, the search warrant affidavit was suddenly unsealed in the Eastern District of California. The 111-page document signed by then FBI Special Agent Sharron M. Cannella cited probable cause to Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

suspect Medicare fraud, saying the company “exhibited a significant spike in billing from 2010 through 2012” that included billing for more than 125 patients who were dead. Ashli’s Medicare billing increased more than 500 percent during that two-year period, according to figures from the affidavit.

The FBI agent’s affidavit alleged a kickback scheme between Ashli and several doctors who prescribed equipment such as ventilators, power wheelchairs and hospital beds that patients did not need or use.

“While Ashli may have conducted a small amount of legitimate business, given what appears to be a high volume of fraudulent billings

by Ashli, it is not possible to distinguish fraudulent records from non-fraudulent ones prior to a search,” the affidavit states.

Diaz did not return CalMatters’ calls for comment. In 2013, he released a statement saying he was confident the federal investigation would “reaffirm our ongoing ethical business practices.”

In the Sacramento-based Eastern District, the U.S. Attorney’s Office refused to move forward.

The “investigation has since been closed and did not result in any indictments,” wrote Assistant U.S. Attorney Grant B. Rabenn on Jan. 10, 2018, while requesting that the court unseal documents in the case.

In 2015, two years after raiding Ashli Healthcare’s Bakersfield office and several other locations, FBI special agent Cannella was reprimanded in a scathing ruling in Texas by U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert F. Castaneda. The case, unrelated to Ashli Healthcare, involved her role as the lead investigator in a 2010 bank robbery case in El Paso.

According to Judge Castaneda’s ruling, Canella’s “distortion of certain facts in her probable cause affidavit” led to false imprisonment of a robbery suspect. The suspect was eventually awarded $402,000 in damages. “ The Court finds that SA Cannella’s conduct crossed the line from negligent to intentional misconduct, or at a minimum bad faith,” wrote Judge Castaneda on March 23, 2015.

According to her LinkedIn profile, special agent Cannella left the FBI in July 2013, a few months after the Ashli raid.

Cannella did not respond to calls and messages for comment. An FBI spokesperson in Washington, D.C., declined to comment on Cannella’s time as an agent and if any of her cases were tossed out because of Judge Castaneda’s ruling.

Diaz told The Sacramento Bee last month that Ashli had not yet been paid by the state for the ventilators, and wouldn’t be until the equipment was delivered.

Hassan, a Department of General Services spokeswoman, said the state did not know about the FBI raid on Ashli.

Asked whether the department has any plans /LocalUmbrellaMedia

VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 25 to change its emergency contracting procedures, she said: “DGS enhanced its procurement process during this emergency response and continuously re-evaluates its process in order to ensure the state gets the best products for the best price.”

One company that has been doing business with the state for many years got an additional $15.5 million contract to answer phone calls from Californians about COVID-19. Maximus — a Virginia-based company that runs call centers across the country to help people apply for government benefits — has entered into dozens of contracts with California going back to 2007, according to the state’s procurement database.

That year, it paid $30.5 million and admitted responsibility in settling a federal investigation into Medicaid fraud after it was accused of billing the government for more services than it actually provided. The company has faced other legal challenges over the years: In 2010, Maximus paid $2.5 million to settle a lawsuit by the state of Connecticut over a contract to revamp its criminal justice computer system. The company denied it had breached the contract and blamed the problem on a subcontractor. In 2017, it paid $1.5 million to settle a lawsuit by supervisors at its Idaho and Texas call centers, who alleged various labor violations, including that the company failed to pay overtime. Maximus did not agree with the allegations but said in court documents that it settled the case to “avoid further expense and risk associated with protracted litigation.”

More recently, NBC News and the Hattiesburg American newspaper reported workers at a Maximus call center in Mississippi have complained that the company failed to follow social distancing guidelines to stem the spread of the coronavirus — even as its workers were tasked with dispensing advice to callers about the importance of social distancing — and that the company lagged in providing masks to its workers and allowing them to work from home.

Maximus employees have called attention to the issues as part of a broader effort to join the Communications Workers of America, as detailed on the labor union’s website.

The company’s contract with California, however, involves “an entirely work from home model, protecting our staff and helping employ residents who may have experienced job loss during the crisis,” Maximus CEO Bruce Caswell said on a quarterly earnings call last month.

California State Auditor Elaine Howle called out problems with the state’s use of no-bid contracts in a 2017 audit. Though the report didn’t specifically look at contracting during emergencies, it found that during a five-year period, key departments “did not provide adequate oversight of the billions of dollars that agencies awarded through noncompetitive contracts.”

Competitive bidding should be used whenever possible, the audit said, because its processes are designed to “eliminate favoritism, fraud, and corruption.” The audit recommended that the Legislature require state agencies to submit an annual report detailing all noncompetitive contracts they approve worth $1 million or more.

“In addition, the Legislature could require agencies to publicly justify their noncompetitive requests in Legislative hearings when it sees fit,” the audit recommends.

A 2018 bill that would have required annual reporting on no-bid contracts was killed by lawmakers before it could get a vote on the Assembly floor.

CalMatters reporter Rachel Becker contributed to this article.

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San Diego Oasis Featured in National Campaign on Virtual Senior Centers

t the onset of the shelterin-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020, the leaders at the nonprofit San Diego Oasis had to make very quick decisions on how to continue to deliver their classes and workshops virtually. Until then, all of their classes were delivered in-person at more than 40 locations throughout the San Diego County region.

Although San Diego Oasis’ mission is to change the way people experience aging, adjusting to a 100% fully online environment was a big change and risk. The team trained and coached their professors and experts in history, humanities, language, technology, art, finance, fitness, and more to bring their presentations online. It has paid off for the nonprofit, in ways they could never imagine, and created a virtual senior center, replacing their physical community presence temporarily. “ Today’s older adults are more vibrant and busier than seniors of yesteryear,� says Simona Valanciute, president and CEO, San Diego Oasis. “Some of our students jumped in to take on the challenge of taking classes online, others were hesitant, but with coaching from volunteers from Qualcomm and the community at large, we have been able to be there every step of the way to transition how students take classes and how instructors present them.

We are also attracting new students who haven’t had an opportunity to come into our physical location at Grossmont Center, but through the new ‘virtual senior center’ model, they can. The classes we offer allow students to continue with their studies and participate in new ones, while not physically being together.�

San Diego Oasis featured in new campaign produced by Cox A new social media campaign from Cox Communications features the virtual senior center created by San Diego Oasis, as part of the technology company’s Connection Project initiative, a non-branded campaign which began the COVID-19 period by reaching people with messages of connection. A short film captures the importance of connection and the real power of technology to bring us closer to one another at a time when it is needed. The production team also created a second short film, which focuses on one student’s story. Vickie Daleo from Escondido was a caregiver for her husband, and after his death, she sought new connections through San Diego Oasis. “Using video conferencing and live streaming, Cox partnered with the

Oasis Senior Center in San Diego to help take their curriculum into a virtual world and reunite older adults with their friends and communities,� says Chanelle Hawken, vice president of government and public affairs, Cox California. “We have always known that the most meaningful connections are the ones people share with each other.

As a digital connections company, we know that we are really in the business of human connections. It’s our purpose and why we do what we do.�

“Today’s older adults are more vibrant and busier than seniors of yesteryear,�

- Simona Valanciute “Social isolation is an epidemic among seniors already, with some studies indicating social isolation is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day,� continues Valanciute. “So when Cox connected with us to create this documentary style film to feature a virtual senior center, we immediately said yes, because if we can reach more people to inspire them to stay connected, we can combat the detrimental effects of social isolation, among seniors in San Diego, throughout California, and across the United States.�

Longtime San Carlos resident Ed

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Robles is not someone who stays at home easily. Before California’s shelter-in-place orders went into effect, the 93-year-old World War II veteran was busy and active, filling his time with personal training sessions, coffee club, and volunteering with the San Diego Police Department’s Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol (RSVP), where he even won “Law Enforcement Volunteer of the Year� in 2015.

Almost as soon as the pandemic hit, his granddaughter Christianna Ortiz set Robles up on Zoom, and he dove right into the San Diego Oasis course catalog. He now takes 8 to 10 classes per week, in subjects such as philosophy, tai chi, history, and technology. His new online life isn’t limited to educational pursuits, either. “He loves Instagram,� says Ortiz with a laugh. “He has his own page and spams me.� However, she emphasizes online learning has been the key to preserving Ed’s mental health—and thereby his physical health—while he’s social distancing. “ The classes make him think and engage while at home. It’s amazing the amount of questions he has.�

Robles has eagerly embraced virtual learning, fitness classes and social groups, and he will likely keep these up long after the state re-opens. “Ed’s experience shows that our 65+ population can confidently navigate life online, which will be crucial for combating social isolation in the long months until it’s safe for seniors to re-engage physically with society—and, even more importantly, demonstrates that the solution to isolation in older adults may very well be virtual, especially for those who are already home-

bound or have limited mobility,� says Valanciute.

Featured class on June 30 addresses racism, social justice All classes offered by San Diego Oasis range from free to low-cost and are available to adults age 50 and over. Class fees cover costs and support the mission of San Diego Oasis. On Tuesday, June 30 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., San Diego Oasis hosts “Dismantling Racism One Insight at a Time,� led by popular instructor Peter Bolland who is featured in the short film produced

by Cox and is a professor of philosophy and humanities at Southwestern College. Class description: Our great unfinished work in the United States, and the world over, is finally coming to terms with racism in authentic, meaningful, and transformative ways. At root, racism stems from deep structures within consciousness, which then get codified into repressive hierarchical systems that benefit the in-group at the expense of the out-group. In this inquiry we will do the important work of peeling back the layers of unconscious bias, laying bare the untold history of supremacy, and raise our eyes to the realization of the promise of America – a land where all are created equal.� Course fee for Class #321 is $15. Participants are encouraged to pre-register for Bolland’s presentation and other classes, through their website, www.sandiegooasis.org. For more information, call 619-881-6262.

About San Diego Oasis San Diego Oasis, an award-winning nonprofit organization, is on a mission to change the way people experience aging and pursue vibrant, healthy, productive and meaningful lives through education and community service. The community-based organization hosts over 3,000 workshops annually at over 40 locations to 5,600 active participants throughout San Diego County, and is now delivering programs and workshops with their virtual senior center in response to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place health order.

The nonprofit’s Intergenerational Literacy Tutoring Program matches an older adult in the life of an at-risk, low-income student in grades K-4. Their flagship center, located in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center, is an exemplary model of engagement for people age 50 and better. Learn more at www.SanDiegoOasis.org, connect on Facebook or call 619-881-6262.

About Cox Communications Cox Communications is committed to creating meaningful moments of human connection through broadband applications and services. The largest private telecom company in America, we proudly serve six million homes and businesses across 18 states.

We’re dedicated to empowering others to build a better future and celebrate diverse products, people, suppliers, communities and the characteristics that makes each one unique. Cox Communications is the largest division of Cox Enterprises, a family-owned business founded in 1898 by Governor James M. Cox.

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 � � �

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Newcourse offering led by Scripps Oceanography enables students to develop solutions to real-world problems facing theocean

new course offering at UC San Diego is providing students with tools and training to tackle real-world problems facing the ocean environment. Launched in the spring of 2020, Hacking for the Oceans is a solutions-focused class led by marine scientists Eric Terrill and Sophia Merrifield at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and collaborator Steve Weinstein, a lecturer at UC Berkeley and Stanford.

In the course, of which the development was co-funded by the National Philanthropic Trust, interdisciplinary teams of students work closely with outside sponsors to develop rapid prototypes and innovative solutions to ocean-related challenges (think: ocean pollution, illegal fishing, real-time monitoring). Students are challenged to develop feasible solutions that are not only scientifically or technically possible but also have high potential to be adopted by end-users and a revenue-generating strategy.

Each team receives weekly guidance from their sponsor as well as an entrepreneurial mentor, further exposing students to the possibilities of a career outside academia. Sponsors range from local, state, and federal agencies to industry and non-governmental organizations. “ There’s certainly a gap between innovative research in academics and the translation of those ideas into products and services that are available to the public,� said Scripps scientist Merrifield, co-developer and instructor of Hacking for the Oceans. “ The course focuses on ‘outside-of-the-classroom’ interviews to understand the demand signal for a solution before pivoting to technical development and deployment strategies, similar to what you would find in a startup.�

The oceans-oriented program is modeled after Hacking for Defense, a course that focuses on training students to address national security challenges. Initially launched at Stanford, Hacking for Defense has since expanded to more than 30 universities across the United States, including UC San Diego. It is a program of the National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), powered by BMNT Inc. and the Common Mission Project—BMNT’s nonprofit arm which coordinates and facilitates entrepreneurship programs. “I was thrilled to find kindred spirits at UC San Diego in Sophia and Eric who felt that it was important to create a new generation of entrepreneurs focused on the mission of ocean health,� said class instructor Weinstein, senior vice president of strategy at BMNT and a board member of the Common Mission Project. “Our mission at the Common Mission Project is to create an international network of entrepreneurs solving the tough problems. We felt that the oceans was an area that is underfunded and not a focal point for entrepreneurship, and figured teaming up with UC San Diego was the first step in creating a new network of mission-driven entrepreneurs.�

Students in both the hacking courses learn how to apply lean startup principles—a variation of the Lean LaunchPad methodology developed by Steve Blank, creator of the Lean

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Startup movement—to topical problems. This agile approach flips the standard business model on its head, calling for startups to rapidly experiment and gather feedback from potential customers before developing any further plans. “ The lean methodologies are designed to allow the students to apply the rigor of their science and engineering backgrounds to oceanthemed societal and technical challenges in an eff icient manner,� said Scripps oceanographer Terrill, co-developer and instructor of the new course. “We hope that the students’ experiences in communicating with their external sponsors and mentors, framing problems, and scoping solutions will carry with them as they leave the confines of academia. The outpouring of support from our sponsors and external mentors should cement for the students the value of their greatest asset—their education.�

While Hacking for the Oceans is led by Scripps, most of the 20 students are from other departments on campus, primarily the Jacobs School of Engineering. Enrollees include both undergraduate and graduate students, with areas of study including computer science and engineering, nanoengineering, electrical engineering, physical oceanography, and more.

This quarter, teams are working on the following projects: • Using radar and satellite data to detect routes in sea ice that can be used for safe polar navigation (Sponsor: Capella Space, Mentor: Gwen Nero, Scripps Oceanography); • Creating a software suite of autonomous unmanned surface vehicle (USV) behaviors for scientists and USV pilots to plan and execute their missions, including monitoring the environment for harmful algal blooms (Sponsor: Boeing, Mentor: Ellen Chang, BMNT); • Designing a cheap, durable flooding sensor and data acquisition system to provide critical alert information for vulnerable coastal communities (Sponsor: Center for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation, Mentor: Rustom Jehangir, Blue Robotics); • Leveraging shortcomings in available data and technology to provide an insight into ‘potential fishy activity’—illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (Sponsor: NASA, Mentor: Chris Ward, Delawarde Consulting); • Designing a hardware attachment that effectively collects and analyzes in-situ water samples for micro-pollutants on location from different depths of the water column (Sponsor: AIIM Partners, Mentor: Paula Silvia, Port of San Diego).

Michelle Sit, a computer science and engineering master’s student, is on the team that’s developing a generalized autonomy software package for unmanned surface vehicles. The team is working to develop a user-friendly interface for scientists monitoring harmful algal blooms (HABs) by using the Liquid Robotics Wave Glider. “Broadly, we are excited about how our framework can be used for other similar scenarios that involve patrolling an area and following /LocalUmbrellaMedia

a target of interest,� said Sit. “Some relevant audiences that come to mind are biological oceanographers, trash clean-up efforts, oil and gas companies, and the Navy.�

The interdisciplinary nature of this class was a major draw for Sit, who comes from a technical background. She started the course with no scientific knowledge about the ocean but said she’s already learned a great deal from the lectures and guest speakers. “As an engineer, I find it fascinating to learn about what solutions interdisciplinary teams have come together and created to solve these problems,� said Sit. “I really appreciated conducting informational interviews to get a better sense of the current state of problems that scientists and engineers are looking to solve in this field. The teaching team and mentors have been phenomenal in providing great advice and feedback to guide us in the right direction.�

While in-person collaboration wasn’t possible this quarter due to the COVID-19 campus closure, the instructors tried to foster comments between groups with breakout rooms, feedback documents, and encouraging comments after presentations. The instructors hope to offer the Hacking for the Oceans class again next spring, and eventually, to expand it to other universities.

The current teams will be sharing their final projects on June 11 in a public presentation, giving sponsors and mentors a chance to see the culmination of 10 weeks of hard work, and the potential for future collaboration and innovation. Those interested in tuning in to the remote event can RSVP by visiting the event registration page. – Brittany Hook About Scripps Oceanography Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, is one of the oldest, largest, and most important centers for global science research and education in the world. Now in its second century of discovery, the scientific scope of the institution has grown to include biological, physical, chemical, geological, geophysical, and atmospheric studies of the earth as a system. Hundreds of research programs covering a wide range of scientific areas are under way today on every continent and in every ocean. The institution has a staff of more than 1,400 and annual expenditures of approximately $195 million from federal, state, and private sources. Scripps operates oceanographic research vessels recognized worldwide for their outstanding capabilities. Equipped with innovative instruments for ocean exploration, these ships constitute mobile laboratories and observatories that serve students and researchers from institutions throughout the world. Birch Aquarium at Scripps serves as the interpretive center of the institution and showcases Scripps research and a diverse array of marine life through exhibits and programming for more than 430,000 visitors each year. Learn more at scripps. ucsd.edu and follow us at Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

About UC San Diego At the University of California San Diego, we embrace a culture of exploration and experimentation. Established in 1960, UC San Diego has been shaped by exceptional scholars who aren’t afraid to look deeper, challenge expectations and redefine conventional wisdom. As one of the top 15 research universities in the world, we are driving innovation and change to advance society, propel economic growth and make our world a better place.

Learn more at www.ucsd.edu. https://scripps.ucsd.edu/news/students-poised-tackle-environmental-challenges-hacking-oceans-course

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Stay Safe, San Diego

Nonprofit r e t n e C r o i n ‘Se ’ s l l a W t u o With Helps Local

y a t S y l i m a F Connected

By Simona Valanciute San Carlos resident Ed Robles is not someone who stays at home easily. Before California’s shelter-in-place orders went into effect, the 93-year-old World War II veteran was busy and active, filling his time with personal training sessions, coffee club and volunteering with San Diego’s Retired Senior Volunteer Patrol, where he even won “Law Enforcement Volunteer of the Year” in 2015. Unfortunately, social distancing restrictions have forced him to sideline all of his in-person social, fitness and volunteer activities.

But Ed hasn’t been lonely or lacking in purpose.

In fact, just the opposite: he has eagerly embraced virtual learning, fitness classes and social groups, and he will likely keep these up long after the state re-opens. Ed’s experience shows that our 65+ population can confidently navigate life online, which will be crucial for combating social isolation in the long months until it’s safe for seniors to re-engage physically with society—and, even more importantly, demonstrates that the solution to isolation in older adults may very well be virtual, especially for those who are already homebound or have limited mobility.

Not all elderly individuals are able to be as active as Ed. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, loneliness and social isolation were already a serious concern for seniors. Studies show that social isolation, which leads to higher levels of cardiac disease and mental health issues, can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Being in lockdown has inevitably exacerbated these negative effects for seniors who were already isolated and cut many more off from their social lifelines outside the home. California has recognized this, and implemented statewide efforts to combat social isolation among seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, while immediate services such as meals and transportation are vital to every seniors’ wellbeing, the longer-term benefits to their health will come from social engagement online.

Ed’s granddaughter Christianna Ortiz, who he has lived with for the past three years alongside her wife Jeune, knew her active grandfather needed a way to be engaged with the world if he couldn’t leave the house. Almost as soon as the pandemic hit, Christianna signed Ed up for online classes with San Diego Oasis, a nonprofit that provides lifelong learning courses for seniors. Due to the pandemic, the organizaLocal News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

tion moved its courses online (literally over one weekend) - and has seen a new level of engagement from older students and instructors alike as hundreds enrolled and continue to sign up in droves. The average San Diego Oasis online student is 71 years old, and some are in their 90s.

Instructors are typically around 60 years old.

All have eagerly embraced the online learning model, and some classes are seeing upwards of 150 registrants.

Once Christianna set him up on Zoom, Ed dove right into the Oasis course catalogue. He now takes 8 to 10 classes per week, in subjects such as philosophy, tai chi, history and technology. His new online life isn’t limited to educational pursuits, either.

“He loves Instagram,” says Christianna with a laugh. “He has his own page and spams me.”

However, she emphasizes online learning has been the key to preserving Ed’s mental health— /LocalUmbrellaMedia

and thereby his physical health—while he’s social distancing. “ They make him think and engage while at home. It’s amazing the amount of questions he has.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a heavy toll on older adults, both physically and mentally.

Whether they’re virtual classes, social media groups or any other sort of online gathering, “senior centers without walls” may be crucial to the health of our seniors. Students like Ed prove how flexible, dynamic and curious our seniors are—far from the fearful, technology-shy stereotypes often reflected in the media. Creating new virtual spaces for seniors to gather, socialize and learn new skills will keep them truly healthy both now and for years after life resumes something resembling “normal.”

Simona Valanciute is the president and CEO of San Diego Oasis, an award-winning nonprofit organization serving people age 50 and better, who pursue healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles, and community service. Learn more at http://www.sandiegooasis.org.

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Stay Safe, San Diego

VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 29

Billionaire wealth surges by over half trillion dollars during the pandemic

U.S. billionaire’s total wealth surged by over $565 billion, an increase of 19.15 percent, since its low point near the beginning of the pandemic, according to calculations to update a report by the Institute for Policy Studies(IPS).

The figures date from March 18 -- the rough start date of the pandemic shutdown, when most federal and state economic restrictions were in place. During the same 11 weeks, 42.6 million US workers filed for unemployment (1.877 million in the last week). The number of workers receiving jobless benefits is holding steady at 21.5 million, according to The Wall Street Journal.

“In a turbulent week in the life of the nation, these statistics remind us that

A graphic showing billionaire wealth vs number of unemployed may be found here:

we are more economically and racially divided than at any time in decades,” said Chuck Collins, a co-author of the report, Billionaire Bonanza 2020. “Our moral, economic and physical health as a society depends on building a post-pandemic economy that works for everyone, not just the billionaire class. Surging billionaire wealth juxtaposed with the suffering and plight of millions undermines the social solidarity required for us to recover together in the years ahead.”

According to IPS calculations, during the past week, the U.S. billionaire class experienced a $79 billion jump

in total wealth, an increase of 2.3 percent. For the group, May 27 wealth was

$3,432,979,108,000. At market close June 3, total wealth was $3,512,041,310,000.

De f und t he Po l i c e? Ins t e a d , a n Ea s t Co unt y Chur c h Fe e d s t he Po l i c e

In contrast to recent attacks on law enforcement in the wake of racial tension, which included calls for defunding and abolishing the police, members of Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon responded by recently providing a free lunch and dinner as an expression of appreciation to the El Cajon Police Department.

The church covered the cost for a local East County caterer to prepare 120 boxed meals, including 30 meals of chicken parmesan with penne pasta and steamed zucchini plus 30 meals of roasted tri tip. On a recent Tuesday, 60 meals were delivered to El Cajon police headquarters at 1 p.m. followed by another 60 meals dropped off at 6 p.m. The event was featured on several local TV newscasts. “ The police have had to put in a lot of overtime lately,” said Dave Hoffman, senior pastor, Foothills Christian Church. “We simply want to say thank you for their willingness to serve and protect.”

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30 VOL. 5 ISSUE 7

A Look Back at Imperial Beach

“This is my Granny & Grandpa’s store at 801 Seacoast (where IB Liquor was) before my grandfather built the little restaurants adjacent (Pizza, Wave CafĂŠ). My grandpa bought Monarch Grocery & changed the name later to Sullivan’s Market. You’ll see in the last pic Sullivan’s Market on the left side. Back in the day with no social media and little on TV people hung out at my Grandparents store. That is how they socialized. That’s what my grandmother told me and you’ll see it in the pictures!â€?

We’d Love To See Your Vintage Photos Of Imperial Beach!

Email your photos to etcprods@yahoo.com.

We’ll choose photos to publish in each issue. Please include a brief description of your photos, and information about who is submitting them.

County Identifies Projects to Dramatically Reduce Tijuana River Valley Sewage

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office The County of San Diego has released a report that identifies 27 projects that could potentially reduce the flow of sewage from Mexico into the U.S. and Tijuana River Valley each year by as much as 91%, from 138 days to 12.

The report, the Tijuana River Valley Needs and Opportunities Assessment, identifies strategies to manage impacts from sewage, trash, and sediment on the U.S. side of the border. It was created in collaboration with more than 30 agencies and organizations, numerous meetings and the review of more than 600 documents.

The report will now proceed to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for consideration. Last month, the federal EPA said up to $300 million from the new United States-Mexico-Canda Agreement would be considered for projects to address the U.S.-Mexico border water issue. An oversight committee at the EPA will be formed and projects identified for funding.

San Diego County is advocating for the majority of those federal dollars to be used for this region. It will also participate in developing the implementation plan with EPA,

other federal agencies and local partners.

Numerous local, state and federal agencies and organizations, including the United States International Boundary Water Commission and the state and federal EPAs, are involved in border water quality issue.

The County’s Department of Environmental Health monitors beach water quality on the U.S. side of the border and notifies the public when water quality is not safe for swimming and recreating.

The report was developed by county staff and engineering consultants with funding provided through California Senate Bill 507, sponsored

by State Senator Ben Hueso among others.

County Board of Supervisors Chairman Greg Cox has championed efforts to resolve the water-quality issue for more than a decade. “Our County has been at the fore-

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front of finding solutions to the persistent sewage problems in the Tijuana River Valley, and this study goes a long way to achieving that,�

Cox said. “ Thanks to my colleagues at the federal, state, and local level who have all worked tirelessly to advocate for and secure this federal funding, we are now ready to work with the EPA to identify the projects that will have the most impact in capturing, diverting and treating sewage so that we can finally reclaim and enjoy our beaches in the South Bay.�

According to the report, implementation of the identified projects could reduce the number of days that sewage flows across the border from 138 days per year to just 12.

That equates to the capture and treatment of up to 163 million gallons per day on the U.S. side of the border.

The structural projects recom-

mended in the report include pump stations, sewage treatment facilities, detention basins, trash traps and screens, quarry and estuary restoration. The report also includes trash clean-up, habitat restoration, and expanded water-quality monitoring to supplement the infrastructure improvements.

The projects focus on four drainage areas in the Tijuana River Valley: the Tijuana River, Smuggler’s Gulch, Goat Canyon, and Yogurt Canyon.

However, the projects are prioritized by the greatest return on investment, leaving the Tijuana River high on the list because that is where the flows are the greatest.

To improve water quality, the report explores three major approaches: • Diverting sewage flows from the Tijuana River flows not captured on the Mexico side, building additional sewage treatment capacity on the U.S. side of the border, and discharging the treated water into the deep ocean • Diverting those same overflows directly to the South Bay Ocean Outfall without treatment • Use of in-stream basins to capture transboundary flows within the Tijuana River and/or canyon tributaries before flows reach the Tijuana River Estuary or the ocean.â–

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Then RESULTS will be posted on Sept. 30th 2020!

VOL. 5 ISSUE 7 Safe, San Diego Winner will receive a $100 gift card Stay from The Home Depot Gardening Center!

h Welc om e to th e fir st Im pe ria l Be ac

! r e t r a u Q e h t f o Garden

Have a beautiful garden? You could win a prize! We are asking people to post photos of their gardens from July 17-31. and the photo that has the most reactions (likes, loves, etc.) will be the winner!

We’ll be giving away a $100 Gift Card from The Home Depot Gardening Center each quarter to the winner of our Garden of the Quarter Contest!

How to enter: Upload one photo of your garden’s best side to: https://www.facebook.com/events/908597016291595/ or search for Imperial Beach Lifestyle on Facebook.

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31

32 Powered By

Our team is growing and we would like to welcome our new members!”

Linda Lomas Shannon Herlihy DRE# 01863573

Looking for an agent with not only the real estate expertise you want, but also a worldly sensibility? Well look no further and meet Linda Lomas! Linda is a hall of fame caliber agent serving Coronado and greater San Diego County for over 4 decades! Linda specializes in all things Coronado – Cays, Village and Shores!

She has also amassed an impressive resume of sales from Rancho Santa Fe clear to South Bay in all price points and market segments.

As an Associate Broker, Linda has developed a clear sense for the needs of her clientele without limitations. She is a patient and caring listener, always professional with perseverance and follow-through. Linda’s success in

Jolee Bartlett

lindalomascoronado@gmail.com

DRE# 00595800

Doni Corcoran

real estate has been directly influenced by her incredible life journey. She is a native of British Columbia, Canada, has called Coronado her home since 1976. Her travels have taken her to all ends of the earth. Whether it is on safari in Africa or snaking up the Amazon River in Colombian jungles, Linda has experienced firsthand what many of us only dream to do.

their kids landed in Coronado, that was it, and the magic of the Crown Isle took over, never to move again. She soon followed her passion into real estate and has never looked back.

On the personal side, besides her worldwide travel, Linda is an afficionado of ballroom dancing. She has competed coast to coast and found the synergy of the dance played perfectly into her real estate business pursuits.

She has also lived and worked all over North America, from Vancouver and Toronto in Cana- Although she no longer competes, those social da, Chicago, Connecticut, and Florida, to living dancing shoes are always nearby, because as Linda knows so well, “there is no better exer5 years in Mexico City. Her work has led her cise in the world!” down the catwalk with runway modeling, as well as incredible times in radio and TV commercials. However, after she, her husband and

DRE# 01951522

corcoran.doni@gmail.com

DRE#01309617

When looking for an agent who truly knows the lay of the San Diego land, you want to work with Doni Corcoran! Doni is a San Diego (Pacific Beach) native who was blessed to have grown up in a family of real estate investors, who believed in the power of real property ownership. The dinner conversations often revolved around such things as 1031 exchanges, up and coming neighborhoods, or the art of negotiation; and it all contributed to creating Doni’s current day expertise.

Thad Ryan

Doni’s business skills have been honed via a lifetime of varied and wonderful experiences.

At one point, Doni’s passion for skiing took her to Sun Valley Idaho where she lived an exciting, fun life for many years. However, it wasn’t all cruising the slopes! As a licensed

stockbroker, every day she carried on a high intensity schedule working for New York Stock Exchange floor traders. Both passions required speed, determination, and a keen sense of awareness to one’s surroundings.

Today that experience has translated into clear cut efficiency in her real estate career. Doni was also an interior design major, and this has augmented her ability to really recognize those diamonds in the rough during property searches. After buying and selling numerous properties on her own, she has translated all this experience into invaluable counsel for her clientele.

Along life’s journey, Doni met that “perfect” someone , Kevin, and married him and into the

military. Being a military spouse was exciting and rewarding as her husband’s career took them to locales far and wide. In the process they raised two wonderful children, Tommy and Lauren. A couple decades ago, they returned to Coronado to establish permanent roots and here is where they will stay because Coronado is their perfect hometown.

In her personal time, Doni is a true sports enthusiast. She has been an avid supporter of water polo most of her adult life (and what better town than Coronado for that passion)!

Additionally, she loves tennis and plays both socially and competitively on teams in the local tennis leagues.

DRE#01511553

Barbara Wamhoff

DRE# 01225350

Once you meet Barbara Wamhoff you will never doubt that there is someone in the world who is interested in YOU personally and what you are about. Barbara is known by her family, friends, and colleagues as an outstanding professional with the highest level of integrity.

She has earned a reputation for consistently exceeding her clients’ expectations and helping them achieve success. Her strategy is simply hard work, honesty and always putting her clients’ goals first and foremost.

Jessica Mose DRE#01882433

With a dynamic career spanning over 20 years in the industry, Barbara’s solid understanding of the real estate market allows her to assist

Ryan Wamhoff

DRE# 01211241

Ryan’s experience is heavily influenced by his previous careers in the hospitality industry, as well as more recently as a first responder! After graduating Coronado High School, Ryan went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from San Francisco State University in Psychology.

Through a series of post graduation assignments, Ryan’s career and travels led him to

Ken Pecus Realtor®

her clients in making smart decisions that align with their real estate goals. Barbara’s experience includes historic and contemporary design, as well as being the Marketing Director of SPSB San Fernando Valley for 10 years. Also prominently included in her real estate resume is REO business development, which has expanded her notable skillset for when market valuations dictate a change in strategy.

and opportunities she has developed over the past 20+ years of living and working in the Coronado community. Her love of Coronado’s history, people and unique architectural styles allows her to guide her clients to their perfect home to put down roots that will last a lifetime.

Barbara is an active contributing member of many Coronado civic organizations. She feels involvement in our community is how one can truly express our commitment and Barbara works with great attention to detail and offers immediate accessibility and person- love for where we live. She is a member of the Crown and Garden Club, Coronado Republican al guidance to make home buying and selling an enjoyable experience. She is grateful for the Women, Coronado Chamber of Commerce strong professional and personal relationships and the Coronado Yacht Club.

DRE# 02076106

Surf’s Up! It’s time to meet the coolest and newest Realtor to hit the Crown Isle and Ken Pecus Group in decades. Meet Ryan Wamhoff, a true California native, who was born in Newport Beach and has called Coronado home since middle school (with a few side trips). If you are looking for a Realtor that lives and breathes the very fabric of Coastal and Coronado lifestyle, then Ryan is your man!

Kevin Eads

barbara.wamhoff@compass.com

ryan.wamhoff@compass.com

the East Coast, where in North Haven, Ct, he worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and volunteer Firefighter with the North Haven Fire Department. Nothing can prepare you for the rigors of life, as when YOU are the one being depended upon to help save a life!

You can take the man out of Coronado, but you just can’t take Coronado out of the man!

Ryan had previously spent 15 years working for Island Surf, as well as being a surf instructor for Coronado Surfing Academy. The pull of home was too strong, and Ryan relocated back to Coronado in 2016 and started his pursuit of a real estate career.

Choosing a real estate career was not by accident. Ryan’s real estate family lines are strong

(619) 977-8419

ken@kenpecus.com

as his Grandmother, Barbara Wamhoff, is one of the most liked and respected agents on the island. Ryan has now set forward in a mentored partnership with Barbara, as he applies the same intensity to real estate. His passion, dedication, and keen eye for details working with people in such diverse situations has allowed him to develop a unique set of skills perfect for Real Estate. At the same time, the familial and inter-generational partnership of the Wamhoffs has created a stellar opportunity for their clients to experience the perfect real estate transaction.

In his personal time, you can find Ryan doing what he truly loves...bike riding, sailing, but most importantly, surfing those endless summers of Southern California.

Your Real Estate Expert in Coronado!

1019 Isabella Ave, Coronado 92118 KenPecus.com DRE# 01056969 CHS Grad 1983 and Sacred Heart School Grad 1979

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