North Park - JULY 13, 2020

LOCALU M B R E L L AN E WS.CO M I LO C A L L I F E S T Y L E P U B L I C AT I O N I VOLUME 5 I ISSUE 5

TEACHERS

OF THE YEAR

DURING THE

TIME OF A

PANDEMIC

The San Diego Unified School District announced the selection of three teachers of the year – Kelly Ann Young, Paula Richardson, and Deirdre Fabian.

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Paula Richardson SDUSD Teacher Of The Year

SDRC MISSION VALLEY SDRC

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Local NonproďŹ t to Address Food Insecurity in National City with “Market Makeoversâ€?

ARTS to renovate small stores in local food deserts during COVID-19 with funding from National Endowment for the Arts and City of National City Data reveals food insecurity in San Diego is on the rise due to public health crisis SAN DIEGO, July 1, 2020 – A Reason to Survive (ARTS) today announced it will add two new sites to its Market Makeovers series to address food insecurity in south San Diego during COVID-19. Through grant funding from the National Endowment for the Arts and the City of National City, ARTS youth will beautify and transform local market places into more welcoming establishments that foster healthy living. “Creative youth development is fundamentally about empowering young people to use the arts to express their voices, stories, and visions for the world they want to live in,� says James Halliday, executive director of ARTS. “Food insecurity and other community health inequities are on the rise and disproportionately affect the life trajectories of young people in San Diego’s South Bay. These market makeovers are an opportunity for ARTS youth to exert their creative abilities, and address urgent and timely injustices that

directly impact them.�

Through the Market Makeovers series, local youth and teaching artists will host community design meetings, then develop artistic installations that enhance the appearance and accessibility of fresh fruits and vegetables to the general public. The series is part of the organization’s Community ARTS programming, which creates public art to advance the community, while helping young people develop collaboration and critical thinking skills. ARTS plans to revitalize 50 public spaces in National City by 2021.

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“ These awards demonstrate the resilience of the arts in America, showcasing not only the creativity of their arts projects but the organizations’ agility in the face of a national health crisis,� says Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “We celebrate organizations like ARTS for providing opportunities for learning and engagement through the arts in these times.�

ARTS will partner with BrightSide Produce, The Sage Project and School of Art + Design at San Diego State University, University of California,

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San Diego’s Center for Community Health, the City of National City, and store owners to execute various facets of the makeover.

Partners will provide fresh fruits and vegetables to store owners, as well as mentor youth on how to design green spaces and artwork.

National Endowment for the Arts Chairman Mary Anne Carter has approved more than $84 million in grants as part of the Arts Endowment’s second major funding announcement for fiscal year 2020. Included in this announcement is an Our Town award of $25,000 to ARTS for the Market Makeovers. That grant was matched by $25,000 from the City of National City.

For interviews with ARTS, contact Angela Elo-Rivera at Angela@trackspr.com or call (619) 254-3818.

About A Reason to Survive (ARTS): Founded in 2001, ARTS uses creativity as a tool to improve the lives of youth in National City. ARTS’ mission is to ignite the power of creativity in youth, inspiring them to overcome obstacles and providing them with the skills needed to become compassionate catalysts for positive change in themselves, their communities and the world. Learn more at http://areasontosurvive.org/

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Owner Mel Resendiz puts together a bouquet of flowers at the Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers nursery in Fallbrook , June 17, 2020. (Zoë Meyers/inewsource)

San Die go Count y Far me r s Fight f or Shar e of Fe de ral Cov id-19 Relie f Money

By Camille von Kaenel Farmers who grow San Diego County’s most valuable crops may miss out on federal cash for coronavirus-related losses because some of their agriculture products — primarily flowers, nursery plants and exotic fruits — are not included in the relief program.

The growers are pushing to get their specialty crops added to the government’s eligible list, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture appears willing to hear them out. It has asked for more information on nursery plants and cut flowers, and given the farmers a deadline of today to provide more data on their losses.

In San Diego County, some of the small farmers who make up the nearly $1.8 billion agricultural economy say they are slowly starting to recover from COVID-19 shutdowns. They are establishing new business models and selling again at reopened farmers markets, restaurants and wholesalers.

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But many still have gaping financial holes from the spring.

“I don’t know if I can stay in business,” said Cindy Luster, owner of California Exotic Specialty Fruits, a 10-acre Fallbrook farm that grows avocados, cherimoyas, green mangoes and guava. “ The fruit’s gone.”

When the shutdown hit, Luster said she donated what fruit she could. But thousands of pounds of her cherimoyas, which are popular with the region’s Asian and South American communities, rotted in the orchard as her buyers scrambled to sell the fruit already on shelves. She had counted on making money from selling that fruit. “ That’s money that would have held us over and that’ll pay the water bill and the fertilizer,” Luster said.

As shops reopened, she said her cherimoyas fetched less than half the price they did before the shutdown. The rates were lower than when she started in the business in the /LocalUmbrellaMedia

1980s. Federal data is incomplete but shows a nearly 20% decline in the price of the fruit between January and April.

Cherimoyas are not on the USDA’s list for COVID-19 relief payments. Luster is preparing documentation to prove her case but is already cutting expenses and expecting a smaller crop in the fall.

Payments from the $16 billion Coronavirus Food Assistance Program are meant to partially assist those whose crops had a 5% or greater price decline because of the pandemic or who had other losses due to market disruptions.

As of June 15, $2.9 billion had been disbursed, with most of it going to livestock, grain and dairy producers. California’s farmers and ranchers have received $129 million.

The USDA could not immediately tell inewsource how much aid has gone to San Diego County, where some of the most valuable crops have been left off the government’s

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“One of the most difficult things has been having to fight for the representation and the fair treatment from our own government.�

--DAVE

Dave Pruitt, who used to own an Encinitas flower business, is the interim CEO of the California Cut Flower Commission, a state agency that represents cut flower and greens farmers. The agency did a survey of the state’s growers to send data to the USDA on the pandemic’s impact. The growers said that from mid-January through mid-April, they dumped nearly 24 times more of their products than for the same period in 2019.

Flower orders were at less than half, a trend the growers expect to continue with weddings and other events being canceled.

Pruitt said he’s heard from some growers who have decided to close. For those whose families have been in the flower business for generations, “It’s in their blood,� he said, and that makes these financial decisions even

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harder. “One of the most diff icult things has been having to fight for the representation and the fair treatment from our own government,�

Pruitt added.

Diana Roy, the off ice manager at Fallbrook-based Resendiz Brothers Protea Growers LLC, which grows flowers and other plants, said the economic shock from the pandemic had been “disastrous� for the business. But sales have started to pick up, and she’s feeling more optimistic.

Even so, federal relief payments could still be of help to the county’s farmers and growers who produce specialty crops. “We’re hoping the USDA comes through,�

Roy said. â–

PRUITT

eligible list.

Hannah Gbeh, the San Diego County Farm Bureau’s executive director, described the region’s agriculture as unique. “We are known for producing very high value crops, because we deal with the expensive cost of land and expensive costs of water,�

Gbeh said.

Some of the county’s common crops are eligible for relief funding under the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program, including avocados, worth $121 million in 2018; lemons, worth $75 million; tomatoes, worth $61 million; and oranges, worth $43 million.

But four of the county’s top five most valuable crops based on 2018 figures are ineligible: ornamental trees and shrubs, worth $443 million; indoor flowering and foliage plants, worth $330 million; bedding and herbaceous plants, worth $260 million; and cactuses and succulents, worth $104 million.

Also excluded are less common fruits, including wine grapes and kumquats.

Some small farmers who want more of the region’s crops to be allowed under the relief program have made their case to the USDA, according to their public comments. One said the pandemic-related economic losses were the worst in 28 years of being in the flower business.

Even as agriculture was deemed essential, canceled events and closed retail shops dried up sales. > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

From left, Cindy Luster, Alfredo Gomez and Charlotte Acevedo walk through the California Exotic Specialty Fruits farm in Fallbrook , June 17, 2020. (ZoĂŤÂ Meyers/inewsource)

Cindy Luster smells a flower from a cherimoya tree on her specialty fruit farm in Fallbrook , June 17, 2020.

She and farm manager Alfredo Gomez pollinate the cherimoya trees by hand. (ZoĂŤÂ Meyers/inewsource)

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newsbriefs

California wine industry to lose nearly $10 billion from coronavirus The California economy will experience a loss of nearly $10 billion from a decline in revenues to the state’s vintners and growers because of COVID-19, according to a report issued by the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University.

California’s wine industry is projected to lose $4.22 billion in revenues in 2020, based on significant decreases in on-premise, tasting room, and direct sales, according to an analysis

by Jon Moramarco released in April. That analysis estimated a $5.9 billion revenue loss for the entire U.S. wine industry this year.

California wine’s role in the travel and hospitality sectors across the state creates economic connections to hundreds of other businesses, according to the Sonoma State University report, which measured lost business revenue based on direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts.

In addition to forecasting a contraction of $9.6 billion in the California economy, the Sonoma State report projects a loss of 42,376 jobs and $586 million

in state and local taxes in 2020 from COVID-19 related losses to wineries and growers. “ The California wine industry’s loss will have a ripple effect throughout the California economy because of the strong link to tourism, restaurants and related business sectors. We anticipate a challenging recovery period ahead,” said Ray Johnson, executive director of the Wine Business Institute at Sonoma State University.

Two San Diego County nonprofits receive millions of dollars from the Paycheck Protection Program More than 400 nonprofits nationwide -- including the La Jolla Institute for Immunology and the Avid Center in San Diego -- received loans of $5 million to $10 million through the Paycheck Protection Program, the largest amount any organization could receive, according to a Chronicle of Philanthropy analysis of government data.

The La Jolla Institute for Immunology received the funds for its medical laboratories.

Avid Center received money for its professional and management development training.

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Stella Labs announces call for entries for annual Women’s Fast Pitch competition

Business accelerator Stella Labs announced a call for entries for its annual Women’s Fast Pitchcompetition series, which will take place virtually every Tuesday evening for six weeks starting on Aug. 4, 2020.

Each week, participants from a different United States region will pitch their business ventures in front of investors and members of the startup community. The winner from each region will advance to the national competition which will take place during Women’s Venture Summiton Sept. 18 and 19. One winner will take home a $10,000 investment and $30,000 in in-kind services.

Female founders, especially founders of color, who formed their businesses prior to June 1, 2020 are eligible to apply now.

All applications will be reviewed by an independent panel of investors and innovation advocates.

“Our goal has always been to increase representation and fund-

ing opportunities for womenand minority-led startups,” says Raven O’Neal, executive director of Stella Labs. “Because we are making this year’s Women’s Fast Pitch a fully virtual experience, we are expanding our reach and ensuring the representation of diverse founders nationwide.”

Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group returns to San Diego from deployment The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt returned to San Diego on July 9, marking the end of her deployment to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations.

More than 6,000 sailors from Theodore Roosevelt Strike Group and embarked Carrier Air Wing 11 deployed Jan. 17 to conduct routine operations in the Indo-Pacific and maintain security and stability in the region.

Theodore Roosevelt sailed over 31,835 nautical miles, deploying dynamically to support dual-carrier operations, expeditionary strike force operations, air defense exercises, and joint-ser-

vice interoperability exercises.

The ship had an outbreak of Coronavirus in early March and pulled into Guam ahead of a scheduled port visit. Theodore Roosevelt rapidly responded and strategically moved more than half of the crew off ship to quarantine at various locations on Guam, leaving enough sailors aboard to stand critical watches and to clean and sanitize the ship.

The crew members who met rigorous return to work criteria set forth by U.S. Pacific Fleet returned to the ship and were able to get underway and back to their mission June 4

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newsbriefs

ATTOM Data Solutions acquires San Diego-based Home Junction Inc.

Cubic awarded contract to deliver Sharklink systems for the Navy

Home Junction Inc., a San Diego real estate data technology company, has been acquired by ATTOM Data Solutions, a property database company. Home Junction specializes in building geographic boundary datasets for neighborhoods, school attendance zones, subdivisions and more. “ This acquisition extends ATTOM’s data footprint and will enhance our value proposition for our customers, while integrating a talented team from Home Junction to an already talented team at ATTOM,” said Rob Barber, CEO of ATTOM. “While data elements are important, people elements are even more important. This is an important acquisition because it is an investment in both data and people.”

The acquisition of Home Junction will expand ATTOM’s data warehouse by adding proprietary school and neighborhood boundary data, crime, points of interest and demographics. ATTOM will continue Home Junction’s commitment of servicing real estate agents, teams and brokers with a suite of products that include custom websites and data widgets, the company said.

Cubic Corporation said its Cubic Mission Solutions business division was awarded a five- year contract worth approximately $9 million from Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) for the production of Communication Data Link System equipment.

Under the contract, Cubic will deliver its Sharklink system for use on two aircraft carriers. Sharklink is a high-performance, surface data terminal that supports secure, long-range high data rate communications with airborne and shipboard platforms.

“Cubic’s Sharklink system will extend the U.S. Navy CVN capability to simultaneously communicate with multiple manned and unmanned aircraft operating within the battlegroup,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. “ This is a key contract win for us and we look forward to working closely with NAVWAR to field the system on the CVNs.” This contract is a follow-on to the development contract which Cubic was awarded in 2017. The initial Sharklink systems are currently being installed on the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson.

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City of San Diego resumes parking enforcement

As a reminder to San Diego residents, visitors and businesses, enforcement of all parking regulations will resume will begin with grace period and citations with corresponding fines will be issued beginning Wednesday, July 15.

The city temporarily suspended parking enforcement on March 16 following the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. In developing a plan to restart parking enforcement, city staff consulted with several business groups representing communities across San Diego.

Bringing back parking enforcement is identified as one small step toward restoring San Diego’s economy. Starting today, the city will issue written warnings for vehicles parked in violation of: Posted street sweeping routes; metered parking restrictions; curb time limits; commercial zones.

Citations will continue to be issued for vehicles parked illegally at red, white and blue painted curbs. Drivers are encouraged to follow posted signage when looking for a parking space. To learn more about parking rules in the city or to pay a citation online, visit sandiego.gov/parking.

San Diego International Airport to receive $9.84 million federal grant San Diego International Airport will receive a grant of $9.84 million from the Federal Aviation Administration for the rehabilitation of an airport apron. The grant is part of an $800 million federal investment in airport infrastructure.

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Benjamin Petell promoted to VP of non-gaming operations for Jamul Casino Benjamin Petell has been promoted to vice president of non-gaming operations for Jamul Casino. Petell joined Jamul Casino approximately a year ago as its director of food and beverage/retail, overseeing retail and the casino’s seven restaurants. He has worked with the culinary team to reinvent the Jamul Casino restaurant concepts, menus, and operations.

In his new role, Petell will oversee retail, food and beverage, facilities, security, and environmental services. His focus will be on creating alignment across all departments by emphasizing teamwork, communication, and consistency.

Petell has more than 15 years of experience managing largescale resort amenities and food and beverage operations. Prior to joining Jamul Casino, he served as the director of beverage at Pechanga Resort Casino. He oversaw a 14-person leadership team and 300 team

members for 15 bars, including several nightlife venues, and a theater.

He has also managed operations for a 1,087-room hotel, including beverage, valet, bell desk, concierge, restaurants, bars, and a pool. In this position, his efforts resulted in a six-figure increase in operating income.

Jacobs School of Engineering undergrads design neonatal simulation system

A team of undergraduate mechanical engineering students at the Jacobs School of Engineering at UC San Diego have developed a neonatal simulation system for a critical and rare surgical procedure called ECMO. They developed this realistic simulation system -- believed to be the first for neonatal patients --for their senior design project.

The system was developed in collaboration with physicians and surgeons at Rady Children’s Hospital ECMO -- extracorporeal membrane oxygenation -- is a rare procedure used when a patient’s heart or lungs aren’t able to function. Doctors use a machine to circulate and oxygenate the patient’s blood by pumping it through an external system of tubes and filters outside of their body, through an artificial lung, and back into the body.

ECMO is used for patients recovering from heart or lung

A team of mechanical engineering students designed a neonatal ECMO simulation for their senior design project. (Photo courtesy of the Jacobs School of Engineering)

surgery; for people whose heart or lungs aren’t functioning; or for infants experiencing respiratory or cardiac distress. The procedure is rare, particularly for children-at Rady Children’s, it’s only performed a handful of times per year. However, it has been used more often during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to give patient’s lungs time and capacity to heal.

Rady School of Management students gain opportunity to assist with COVID-19 recovery

By Melinda Battenberg | UC San Diego Students at UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management are getting a hands-on opportunity to give back to the community and assist with COVID-19 business recovery efforts in San Diego.

In May 2020, the Rady School launched the Rady School Business Recovery Coalition to offer free assistance to businesses in the San Diego region as they navigate the unprecedented challenges faced by COVID-19.

Through the Rady School Business Recovery Coalition, faculty, students, and mentors from the Rady School and across UC San Diego provide advice and insights to businesses affected

by COVID-19. The services are

UC San Diego’s Rady School of Management. (Photo by Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego Publications)

managed by the school’s Beyster Institute and the California Institute for Innovation and Develop-

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ment (CIID).

Since the coalition’s launch, students have received the

opportunity to work with several businesses on real-world issues. Businesses have asked for assistance in key areas such as forecasting the new normal and how to adjust business practices accordingly, cash flow analysis, and market and product analysis.

Students from the Rady School’s graduate and undergraduate programs will be able to apply to be part of the program. Students will be interviewed to become part of the project by leadership from the Beyster Institute, which will oversee the program.

If accepted into the program, students will work with faculty and staff mentors who will help students with general consulting experience or in particular areas requested by clients.

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Looking Out For Our

Seniors

By Mara W. Elliott We are several months into the unprecedented global COVID-19 pandemic, and our world continues to change quickly. As businesses reopen and stay-at-home orders are being lifted, we can’t forget that our senior citizens remain largely isolated.

Normally, we would be able to visit our elderly loved ones regularly and observe their living conditions, but for many of us, that hasn’t been possible since March. Seniors are the most susceptible to the coronavirus, and most group living facilities remain closed to the public.

It’s up to us to continue to look out for our elders not only to make sure they are being protected and their basic needs are being met, but also to provide emotional support and comfort during these trying times.

Here are some tips for supporting our seniors remotely: Schedule regular phone calls where you can see one another using apps like Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom or the like.

Confirm that those who reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility or memory care facility are being fed and cared for properly. Ask them what they miss most about their pre-pandemic lives. Maybe it’s a need you can fill.

Make sure that they have a four-week supply of any overthe-counter medicine and prescriptions available as well as adequate medical supplies (oxygen, saline solution, bandages, etc.) and backup materials.

Arrange for grocery or meal delivery, and laundry services if needed. Make available an emergency supply of food and water.

Help develop a care plan that summarizes their health conditions, medications, care providers and preferences. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, care plans can reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and improve overall medical management for people with a chronic health condition, resulting in better quality of life.

For those with dementia, send a card or letter, small gifts or mementos, or other things that they can read and touch, that will help trigger memories. Also, ask care staff about COVID-19 safety protocols and how they are maintaining daily routines and structured activities to support patients with dementia.

Be vigilant about potential scams targeting elder adults. During phone calls and virtual visits, ask if they have received any unusual phone calls, letters or emails

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Mara W. Elliott

asking for money or offering something of value that seems to be too good to be true.

Seniors are increasingly vulnerable to financial scams due to cognitive changes that affect people as they age. Their judgment can be compromised by loneliness and social isolation, making them even more susceptible to fraud.

Some of the scams now emerging involve online offers of COVID-19 preventative medicines or treatments, fraudulent requests for personal information from people pretending to be coronavirus contact tracers working for health departments, and bogus calls allegedly from the U.S. Census, asking for personal and financial information.

Please contact my Office’s Affirmative Civil Enforcement Unit at (619) 533-5618 or CityAttorney@ sandiego.gov if you suspect someone is trying to scam you, a friend or relative.

If you suspect an elder adult is being mistreated by a caregiver or family member, please contact my Office’s Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Unit at (619) 533-5544, or the San Diego Family Justice Center at (619) 533-6000.

If you know of an elder adult who lives in a substandard independent living facility where conditions are unsanitary or dangerous, please contact our Nuisance Abatement Unit at (619) 5335655 or CityAttorney@sandiego. gov.

Lastly, if your loved one is demonstrating suicidal behavior or showing other signs of acute mental distress, and you know or suspect they have access to a firearm, call the police to request a Gun Violence Restraining Order. Our Office will file the court order to have the weapon removed from the home, eliminating opportunities to harm themselves or someone else.

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office is working hard to keep you safe. Please contact our office if we can be helpful.

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San Diego Music Awards

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 or video canheldmake someone’s day. alities, including Tim Pyles (91XPage who was joined by Raining Awards (SDMA) were on July 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-

Jane singer/guitarist Chaska Potter 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-

FM), Kathleen Bade (Fox 5-TV) and 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

29th Annual San Diego Music Jason mraz unveils his new album, looking for The good, on June 19. in the meantime, the album’s Awards winners reggae tinged title track is out as the albums first single.

ariel levine’s new single drops may 22. “it’s #4 of 7 upcoming singles and it’s the first cover song, “maybe This Time” from the musical Cabaret.

Artist of the Year: Rebecca Jade

BY BART MENDOZA BY BART MENDOZA

Album of the Year: Switchfoot, “Native Tongue” • Missy “Salamat Sa Iyo” can • The Wayne Riker Gathering is back in the stuSongAlcazar’s of the Year:new The song Frets, “Naïve Adolescence” be heard in the new TLC network series, 90 Day dio working on a new album, Blues Lightning. It’s Country Montana Lifetime Achievement Award: Richard Fiancé: SelfDick Quarantined guitarist Riker’s 13th overall with guest vocalists “Blitz” Livoni set to include Lauren Leigh Martin, Michele LunBest New Artist: The Shanghais R&B • Acclaimed 1970’s era prog-rockers Horsefeath- deen, Leonard Patton, Shelle Blue, Scott Mathiers have a new collectionNina of their vintage tracks, asen and Deanna Best Singer/Songwriter: Francis Symphony For A Million Mice, out now. Of the Haala Best Jazz: Euphoria Brass Band title track they say, “We explore the challenge of Best Jazz Album: Nathan Hubbard Trio, rodents.” “ This Stream” entertaining a bunch of hyperactive • Beach rock quintet Sandollar placed their song “Up Up” on the new Netflix series Outer Banks.

Best Blues: Taryn Donath • Ariel Levine ’s new single drops May 22.

“It’s The song turns up at approximately 11 minutes Best Blues Album: Shane Hall, “ West River Queen” #4 of 7 upcoming singles and it’s the first cover into the first episode. Thier new album, Roller Best Country or Americana: The Sleepwalkers song, “Maybe This Time” from the musical Caba- Coaster, is available on Pacific Records. ret. Best Country or Americana Album: Trouble in the Wind, “All the Boys” • A new biography of legendary sitar player Ravi • The Midnight Pine Riston have released new vinyl Shankar will be published by Genesis PublicaBest Hip Hop/Rap: Diggs & SlyaBeats album, Live at A.D. tions in October.

Best Hip Hop or Rap Album: Parker Meridien, “ The Bully Pulpit” Best Mraz Indie/Alternative: Stash Looking • Jason unveils hisAviator new album, • Congrats to blues singer Whitney Shay! She For Best The Indie/Alternative Good, on JuneAlbum: 19. In the the Magician” released her latest album, Stand Up, on FebruTen meantime, Bulls, “Physicians album’s reggae tinged title track is out as the ary 21, ultimately scoring the #1 Billboard Blues Best Pop: Johnny Tarr albums first single. album on April 18.

Best Pop Album: Chloe Lou and The Liddells, “Storybook” Best Rock : MDRN • The Monroes haveHSTRY a brand new song and • Guitarist Johnny Vernazza appears on the video, “Caught In The Meanwhile, Best Rock Album: TheBalance.”

Schizophonics, “People Intheir The Sky”new compilation album, NOW That’s What I Call classic tune “What Do All The People Know” has Yacht Rock 2. He appears with Elvin Bishop on Best World Music: Yale Strom & Hot Pstromi been covered by former Runaways singer Cherie the song “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.”

Best World Music Album: Marujah, “Gypsy Noise Ritual” Currie!

• The Village People - which includes North Best Local Recording: Sure Fire Soul Ensemble, “Build Bridges” • Heavy metal favorites County’s Victor Willis (aka The Policeman) - has Best Live Band: Sully Ratt are in the latest round of commercials from Geico insurance, fea- had their song, “Y.M.C.A.” inducted into the Lituring their 1985 hit, “Round and Round.” brary of Congress’s National Recording Registry.

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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

www.pacificrecords.com

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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

times 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 when I did it all myself some-

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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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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WARNING Scam callAVOID or real call?

COVID19 SCAMS!

36 neighborhood Publications Reaching Over 125,000 San diego area mailboxes Per month!

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By District Attorney Summer Stephan The coronavirus U.S. CenHeRe aRe fiveand THingS YOu Can dO TO avOid falling sus are making answering your COuRTeSY Of THe fedeRal inTO a COROnaviRuS TRaP, TRade COmmiSSiOn. phone fashionable again. But just because you know you 1. ignore offers for vaccines, cures, and at-home test kits. might be receiving a call from As of now, there are no FDA approved vaccines or cures for a census worker or a COVID-19 COVID-19, and if there were, they would have to be administered contract tracer, doesn’t mean by a licensed medical professional.

The same is true for coronavirus and Some scammers are even setting up fake driveyou antibody shouldn’ttests. vet your calls. through testing facilities to profit off the fears of others. Avoid all There are always scammers of these traps by talking to a doctor or pharmacist for all of your lookingand to take financial advantesting pharmaceutical needs. tage of people under any circumstances and today’s uncer2. Screen your calls. number associated with your tain climate is no different.

If you’ve noticed an increase of unknown numbers on survey.

Censusappearing workers will Beingphone, counted in the U.S. Cenyour there’s a reason: robocalls flourish in times of crisis. already have basic identifying Con artists are hopping the phones and posing as everything sus and being informedon if you’ve information about you. from health insurance companies to debt collection agencies to been in contact with someone scam people out of their money. Remember to never give sensitive If you like you to indewho has tested forunless the you information overpositive the phone are would 100% sure are pendently verify the Census coronavirus are both important speaking to a verified source. worker calling you, you can ask calls to take. Here are some for their tips on distinguishing legitimate 3. look out for phishing emails and textsname too. and look them up on the Census Bureau Staff calls from scams.

Similar to phone calls, scammers are using email and text to trick Search (https://www.census. people intocommon providing sensitive The most tactic usedinformation like their Social Security gov/cgi-bin/main/email.cgi). or bank account numbers.

Keep in mind that the government will by scam callers is to pressure never ask you for your Social Security number via email or text, Mostcard census workerswhen attemptthe caller andismake them feeland credit and the same true for banks companies it ing to survey you will originate panicked.

A contact tracer or comes to your accounts. Make sure to only correspond with these agencies through secure apps. from three numbers. census worker will neverwebsites make and 812) 218-3144, Jeffersonville you feel pressured or hurried.

Contact Center - (520) 798If adouble-check caller is pressuring you to 4. charities.

4152, Tucsonout Contact make a quick decision or to reThe good news is there are a lot of organizations there Center trying to help people through this pandemic.

The bad news is there are also - 1-800-923-8282, Customer veal personal information, hang aup. lotItof Avoid vetting charities online and Service Center isimposters. likely a scam call.scammers by only making donations through secure online portals. Most major A legitimate contactintracer will If you and ask the caller identify- offer banks credit cardfor companies fraud protection, the case that you accidentally give refuse money to identify a phony themselves charity. You as canpart alsoof ing information and they help by reporting FTC Complaint San Diego CountyAssistant.

Public Health to answer, that’s aany redimposters flag. A to the contact tracer or census worker Department and will use their 5. Stay informed. first name. Contact tracers will will never refuse to answer a Scammers with new trickpotentialpeople you ways if youto have question. are constantly coming upnotify out of their money. Stay ahead of their schemes by regularly ly been exposed to COVID-19.

Likewise,the these callers will never checking FTC’s coronavirus scam website and following Contact measures, tracers willtesting ask you if the the latest updates on protective ask CDC for afor Social Security number you have any specific symptoms guidelines, and drug developments. or bank account information. of COVID-19. Contact tracers If a caller threatens you with jail will answer your questions and time or a fine, they are a scamprovide information on where to mer. If the call is a pre-recordget tested. Contact tracers will ed message, hang up. Census not ask for money, banking inworkers and contact tracers will formation, Social Security numnot use pre-recorded messages bers or insurance identifying when contacting you. A coninformation. If a contact tracer tact tracer or census worker will ever asks for sensitive personal know your name and will ask information or for money, hang for you, so no need to volunteer up and report them to your local personal information. When health department. Contact in doubt, hang up. Not all untracers may send an email after known calls are scams. Census calling. Email will include fact workers and contact tracers sheets about COVID-19. A text might be calling, too. Here are message may be sent by a conways to identify real calls from tract tracer if they are unable to scam calls: reach you by voice phone call.

Census workers will quickAs your District Attorney, I’m ly identify themselves if BUSINESS DOESand, YOUR HAVE committed to increasing comattempting to conduct a survey, munication and accessibility LOCAL NEWS? will just as quickly name the Office and the SUBMIT YOUR CONTENTbetween ONLINE the ANDDA’s WE’LL survey. If the census worker public.

I hope these consumer PUBLISH IT IN OUR NEXT EDITION! leaves a message, they will also and public safety tips have been provide the case identification VISIT US ONLINE AT helpful.

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2020 GO ES VIRTUAL!

All of our programs and events have been moved online and hosted in virtual spaces to keep our community connected during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis.

Learn more about our upcoming events and how you can join us to celebrate and share our Pride. #TogetherWeRise For our upcoming live schedule and to view previous broadcasts, visit our channel at

www.sdpride.org/live She Fest | Saturday, July 11 She Fest is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women while fostering meaningful connections within and between the LGBT and larger San Diego communities.

Light Up the Cathedral Wednesday, July 15 7PM Join interfaith leaders, elected officials, and San Diego’s LGBTQ community at this official San Diego Pride 2020 virtual event. To celebrate Pride Week, we will honor our LGBTQ interfaith community and witness virtually the Cathedral’s annual ceremonial rainbow lighting.

Spirit of Stonewall Rally | Friday, July 17 Kick-off San Diego Pride weekend as we listen to inspiring speakers, recognize LGBTQ leaders, and raise the Pride flag.

Pride 5k | Saturday, July 18 Run the parade route right before the parade starts in our annual Pride 5K! Rainbow gear, tutus, and streamers encouraged.

Pride Live | Saturday, July 18 Get ready to celebrate Pride virtually!

17

18 VOL. 5 ISSUE 8

Stay Safe, San Diego FAV O R I T E R E C I P E S O F L O C A L C H E F S

Shrimp Fettucine Alfredo A Simple pasta dish that marries the light, fresh taste of seafood with a comforting cream sauce that’s warm and cheesy. This recipe can be on the table in just 25 minutes.

INGREDIENTS: Kosher salt 12 ounces fettuccine Olive oil, for tossing 3/4 pound large shrimp (about 16), peeled and deveined, tails removed Freshly ground black pepper 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter 2 cups heavy cream 2 pinches freshly grated nutmeg 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese

Chef Ahmed Abdelaziz 619.366.4059

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DIRECTIONS Bring a large pot of water to a boil, and salt generously. Add the pasta, and boil according to package directions until al dente, tender but still slightly firm. Strain, and toss with a splash of oil.

Meanwhile, arrange the shrimp in a single layer on a large pie pan or paper plate, and pat them with a paper towel until completely dry. Season with salt and pepper.

Heat a large skillet over medium heat, and add 2 tablespoons of the butter. When the butter melts, raise the heat to medium-high, and invert the plate of shrimp over the skillet so the shrimp fall into the pan all at once. Cook the shrimp, without moving them, until the underside is pink, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the shrimp, and cook until fully pink and cooked through, about 2 minutes more. Transfer the shrimp to a bowl.

Reduce the heat to medium, and add the remaining 6 tablespoons butter. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits. When the butter has mostly melted, whisk in the cream and nutmeg and bring to a simmer, then cook for 2 minutes. Lower the heat to keep the sauce warm.

Whisk the Parmigiano-Reggiano into the sauce. Add the shrimp and cooked pasta, and toss well. Season with salt and pepper. Serve hot in heated bowls.

Cook’s Note Don’t worry if it seems like there is too much sauce. As soon as everything is tossed together, the sauce will start to cling to the pasta and thicken before your eyes.

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Local High School Students Win National Technology Competition Four San Diego high school seniors from e3 Civic High recently won first place at Project Invent Demo Day, a national technology pitchfest that aims to encourage young people to develop products for social good. The local team – composed of Angelica Torres, Cheilon Deas, Christina A., and Uriel Torres – created the Infinity Clip, a compact circular GPS tracker for blind and visually impaired people. “ The device uses technology to determine the exact location a person is, and help them navigate their way to their next destination,” explains e3 Civic High Internship & Workforce Coordinator and Senior Design Thinking Lead, Melissa Woods, who advised students that entered the competition. “ The scholars were asked to identify a community need, seek input from end-users, research the

current market and competition, refine their product, and develop a prototype,” she says. “ Visually impaired individuals told our scholars that the Infinity Clip is both useful and unique.”

When the academic year began, the plan was to take the scholars to Silicon Valley for the pitch fest. With the advent of COVID-19 and distance learning, Project Invent switched gears and hosted the competition via Zoom. “Scholars at e3 Civic High have been using multiple technology platforms for research and meetings for the last several years, so they did not miss a beat,” says Dr. Cheryl Ward, CEO of e3 Civic High. “ They were ready to present to the IBM-sponsored panelists and made an impressive case for their product.”

The students won a $2,500 investment in the further development of the Infinity Clip. The

funding will also allow the young people to apply for a patent.

“More than one-quarter of the U.S. population is visually impaired or legally blind,” says Woods. “Our research shows that 16.5% of those people have annual incomes less than $75,000, and 12.9% are living at or below the federal poverty line.

That’s why it was so important for the students to develop a product that will be accessible to people at every income level.

They expect the retail price of the Infinity Clip to be less than $100.”

Dr. Ward notes that entering competitions like Project Invent Demo Day is part of the culture at e3 Civic High. “We keep an eye on innovation in industry, the impact of artificial intelligence and virtual reality and their influence on education,” she says.

“We seek to understand, to the extent possible, the workforce

of 2030 and ensure that we are not preparing kids to graduate in 2020, but to be a successful part of the workforce in 2030, to prepare students for a world that we cannot yet imagine.”

Recently, the school hosted its annual Exhibition of Learning where all scholars had the opportunity to showcase their work and share in the learning that has taken place through their Design Thinking projects.

Design Thinking is a project-based process in which scholars grapple with complex issues by developing a challenge question or essential question that they work to solve as they move through five phases: discovery, interpretation, ideation, experimentation and evolution.

Congratulations to all of the e3 Civic High scholars who showcased their work – and especially to the winning team of the Project Invent Demo Day!

Angelica T.

Cheilon D.

Christina A.

Uriel T.

“Because the people who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world are the ones who do.”

-- Steve Jobs

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20 VOL. 5 ISSUE 8 AMG Demolition sign at the old Midway Post Off ice

DEAD LETTER OFFICE:

Demolition Prepped at Midway Post Office

By Eric S. Page The hulking concrete structure at the site of the former central post office on Midway Drive in San Diego has been haunting a stretch of Point Loma for nearly a decade, with little to no activity at the location.

No good activity, anyway. Back in 2015, James Dudley cut a lock on a fence and broke into the building, stripping out nearly 700 pounds of copper before he was discovered loading it into his vehicle. He pulled a 30-month sentence and was ordered to pay $123,984.08 to the Postal Service for his trouble.

For years, the property, bounded by Barnett Avenue to the south and Midway Drive to the east, has been as still as a graveyard. Its glory days began in 1972, when the building became the city’s main post office and was San Diego’s go-to for late tax filers, with Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

drivers lining up April 15 to drop off returns.

Its descent, however, began in ‘93, when the Margaret L. Sellers Processing and Distribution Center in Carmel Mountain Ranch became the main USPS facility in San Diego, capable of handling as much as 10 times the volume that had been processed at the Midway branch. Still, a small, temporary building on the site has been handling USPS retail services ever since.

There were reports in 2015 that the site had been sold, with the San Diego Business Journal reporting that the 16-acre site had been purchased by Rexford Industrial Realty of Los Angeles, for $19.3 million.

“Rexford plans an initial phase that will include redeveloping the ground floor of the /LocalUmbrellaMedia

two buildings into 10 industrial units ranging between 10,000 and 45,000 square feet,” the SDBJ reported at the time, adding, “[the] second phase will include repositioning up to approximately 144,000 square feet of second-floor space in the larger of the two buildings. Rexford expects to complete work and deliver the first finished spaces within 18 months.”

None of that happened, of course. Slowing development on the site, possibly, was an exception to the 30-foot coastal height limit that prospective developers of the Sports Arena are hoping for these days.

Now, after a decade, however, redevelopment at the Midway site has begun: The San Diego-based AMG Demolition & Environmental Services company recently unfurled a massive banner on the back of the building.

Mike Gafa, one of AMG’s owners -- the “G” is

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Stay Safe, San Diego for “Gafa” -- confirmed by phone on Tuesday that work is under way. He said the property has, in fact, been divided into at least two parts. The main building, where mail once was processed, is actually composed of two halves, separated by an expansion joint that physically separates the building, and at this point, each half has a different owner. A Post Office still operates in the third section, to the northwest. It’s not clear if that section has been rented by the USPS. “ The project that is going to happen is for new residential homes on the southern portion of it,” said Gafa of AMG, which is a family owned business with offices a short distance away on the Pacific Highway near Old Town.

“I’m not sure if it’s condos or townhomes.”

VOL. 5 ISSUE 8 21

The general contractor for the south half of the building is Fairfield Residential, a property-management company that is also at work on another project on Morena Boulevard, according to Gafa.

Gafa said. “ That allows us to demolish the structure in a top-down methodology.”

“I’m not sure on the owner to the north, what their plans are for the rest of the property,” Gafa said.

The darkened interior of the building has been cleared for years --”vacant, like a concrete parking lot,” Gafa said -- but it won’t be gone overnight.

AMG is just waiting for a green light from Fairfield to begin dismantling the structure. Sadly, there will be no large-scale. earth-shaking dynamite collapse of the building, despite its hulking proportions.

“We use heavy machinery, such as hydraulic excavators with demolition attachments,”

In fact, four excavators are already parked in the lot, awaiting that green light.

“ To demolish the building and everything, it’s probably going to take three to four months,” Gafa said, adding, “everything we demolish, we do our best to hit all our recycling goals.

This concrete will be crushed into smaller size aggregate and reused on-site as part of the construction.”

Excavators have already been deployed to the site.

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Virtual Carousel Week At The Balboa Park Carousel - July 20-27 Nonprofit Friends of Balboa Park, owner and operator of the iconic Balboa Park Carousel, will be hosting a virtual National Carousel Week to celebrate all things carousel July 20-27! Join the festivities on Facebook and Instagram for history and fun facts, contests, giveaways, art and music presentations and more! $50K July Donation Match Longtime friend and philanthropist Dorothea Laub has challenged the community to support the Carousel Capital Campaign, offering to match every donation in July dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000.

Donorship levels receive: $25+ name recognition on ride restoration $50+ annual membership (including 4 carousel ride tickets) $100+ membership + exclusive Carousel/Balboa Park greeting cards $250+ membership + David Marshall’s “San Diego’s Balboa Park� signed book

$500+ membership + greeting cards + book Background Nonprofit Friends of Balboa Park purchased the iconic Balboa Park Carousel in 2017, and launched a $3 million capital campaign to purchase, restore and preserve the antique original 1910 carousel. The campaign has raised about $2.25 million

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to-date, and the matching campaign is an effort to keep the momentum moving.

Thanks to the community’s generosity, Friends completed “Phase 1� in April 2019 to complete the purchase of the Carousel in April 2019 from the previous owners. Now in “Phase 2,� much needed preservation/ restoration, repairs and upgrades to the 110-year-old Carousel are

being done, including: Electrical system upgrades Structural enhancements Ticket booth refurbishments External accordion doors, flooring and other carpentry repairs Adjacent “Kiddie Ride� new paint & wrought iron fencing Donation help the organization make meaningful improvements to enhance and preserve the Carousel.

About Friends Friends of Balboa Park is a nonprofit organization that champions and enhances the park by connecting the philanthropic community to Balboa Park. The group has spearheaded major capital improvement initiatives throughout Balboa Park, completing more than 300 projects and over $8 million in improvements and other programs that facilitate the community’s direct involvement in the enhancement of Balboa Park. For more information, visit www.FriendsOfBalboaPark.org.

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MCASD To Launch Digital Programs Focused On Celebrated Chicanx Ar tists San Diego –In a creative pivot in response to the Covid-19 epidemic, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego announced plans to move forward with public programs for the exhibition Yolanda López: Portrait of the Artist. This will be the first solo museum presentation of one of the most important Chicano/a/x artists working in California over the past five decades.

The exhibition will present a compendium of López’s work from the 1970s and early 80s, when she created a vivid body of paintings, drawings, and collages that reimagine representations of women within Chicano/a/x culture and mainstream society. In addition, on July 16 the Museum will launch online programming related to themes of Chicanx, Latinx, and Border Art in its permanent collection, held in conjunction with the virtual exhibition To Tame a Wild Tongue: Art after Chicanismo.

MCASD had planned to present Yolanda López: Portrait of the Artist centered on the activist artist in fall of 2020 at its Downtown San Diego location. Although the physical exhibition must be postponed until 2022, when it will be presented at MCASD’s expanded La Jolla location, the Museum is now developing programs to be debuted online later this fall and winter.

California Humanities recently announced that MCASD is a recipient of a 2020 Humanities For All Project Grant award in support of Yolanda López: Portrait of the Artist. The Museum received one of only 16 Humanities for All Project Grants from the California Humanities and was the only San Diego recipient.

The virtual public programs will include video interviews with the artist; a behind-thescenes look at the conservation of López’s work at Zukor Art Conservation in Oakland; an Outside Perspective panel of artists and scholars hosted remotely; and a Curator’s Perspective talk by exhibition curator Jill Dawsey, among others.

“While we eagerly await the exhibition of physical objects and the opportunity to welcome museum lovers back to our galleries, these online programs will allow MCASD to celebrate the life and work of this important San Diego-born artist in the here and now,” explained Dawsey.

López was born and raised in the Logan Heights neighborhood of San Diego and attended San Diego State University and UC San Diego. In 1961 she moved to San Francisco, where she continues to live and work. Recognized as an icon of the Chicano Art Movement, López has nonetheless remained largely underrecognized by museums and the contemporary art world.

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ist will bring together over 50 works in oil pastel, charcoal, collage, printmaking, and paint, centering on the artist’s Guadalupe triptych and an expansive series of related works, including rarely seen larger-than-life self-portraits. The exhibition will explore López’s profound legacy as a political artist and activist whose works are characterized by their incisive analysis, indelible imagery, and wit. In her best-known work, Portrait of the Artist as the Virgin of Guadalupe (1978), López depicts herself wearing running shoes and the Virgin Mary’s star-patterned mantle, an embodiment of physical agency and defiant joy.

Among the most iconic artworks to emerge from the Chicano Movement, López’s Portrait rejects the colonial and patriarchal origins of the Guadalupe iconography, transforming the symbol into one of radical feminist optimism.

The exhibition will also be featured as a participant in the Feminist Art Coalition, a national platform for art projects that seek to generate cultural awareness of feminist thought, experience, and action. Working collectively, art museums and nonprofit institutions from across the United States will present concurrent events beginning in the fall of 2020.

Debuting on July 16, the Museum will launch online programming related to themes of Chicanx, Latinx, and Border Art. MCASD Curatorial Fellow Alana Hernandez will host a series of Charlas, or talks, held in conjunction with the virtual exhibition To Tame a Wild Tongue: Art after Chicanismo. This special online exhibition brings together over twenty-five artists from the Museum’s collection to explore distinct aspects of the Mexican American experience. Featuring works from the 1980s to the present, To Tame a Wild Tongue explores the reverberations of the post-Chicano moment, with special attention paid to our transnational border region.

The Charlas series, originally designed as series of in-gallery talks, will present conversations between exhibition curator Hernandez and five exhibiting artists who will discuss their work in relation to themes presented in the exhibition.

Schedule of Charlas via Instagram Live @ MCASanDiego To Tame a Wild Tongue Charlas Thursday, July 16, 11 am, Cog•nate Collective Cog•nate Collective (the artist duo Amy Sánchez Arteaga and Misael Díaz) work across the United States-Mexico border region, developing public interventions and installations that highlight the contested social, physical, and political boundary between the two nations. /LocalUmbrellaMedia

Thursday, August 20, 11 am, Claudia Cano Working in photography, film, and performance, San Diego-based Claudia Cano explores issues of labor, gender, and inequality.

Focusing on the home and labor associated with the domestic sphere, Cano brings visibility to an often invisible Latinx workforce.

Thursday, September 17, 11 am, Julio César Morales Tijuana-born Julio César Morales’s practice focuses on issues of migration, labor, and informal economies, on both a personal and a global scale. The artist has positioned himself as a documentarian of people across the United States-Mexico borderlands.

Thursday, October 15, 11 am, Perr y Vasquez Culling from aspects of Chicanx car and popular culture, Perry Vásquez’s installations and prints embrace a working-class sensibility that is defiant, yet humorous. Installations by the San Diego-based Vasquez underscore ongoing tensions related to citizenship and migration.

Thursday, November 19, 11 am, David Avalos A key figure in San Diego’s Chicano Art Movement, David Avalos works in sculpture, installation, and public projects. His sculptures unabashedly assert the vernacular of rasquache as a form of resilience in the face of social, racial, and economic adversity.

ABOUT YOLANDA LÓPEZ Yolanda López (United States, b. 1942) was born and raised in the Logan Heights neighborhood of San Diego and in 1961 moved to San Francisco, where she continues to live and work. In the late 1960s, López became part of the San Francisco State University Third World Strike and was a founding member of the defense committee for Los Siete de la Raza. López served as the artist for the community newspaper Basta Ya! and created graphic artworks that were instrumental in publicizing the case of Los Siete, a group of seven young Latinx men accused and later acquitted in the murder trial of a San Francisco police officer. López was already an established artist and organizer, then, when she returned to San Diego in the 1970s, completing a BFA at San Diego State University and an MFA at the University of California, San Diego. In San Diego, López worked with the Chicano Federation and the Committee on Chicano Rights. She later played an influential role in the San Francisco Bay Area working as educational director for the Mission District Cultural Center, and as an instructor at the University of California, Berkeley, Mills College, the California College of the Arts, and other Bay Area colleges for several decades. López is a Recipient of the National Women’s Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award (2008) and a monograph on the artist was published through the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Press in 2008.

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The living materials research team is using the tools of biotechnology to build new classes of materials that help make people healthier and safer.

University of California San Diego researchers awarded a six-year $18 million grant

The National Science Foundation has awarded University of California San Diego researchers a six-year $18 million grant to fund a new Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC).

These research centers are transformative for the schools that earn them, putting their materials science research efforts into the global spotlight. In addition to research and facilities funding, MRSEC centers provide sustained research opportunities for both graduate and undergraduate students, and resources to focus on diversifying the pool of students studying materials science.

The UC San Diego labs funded by this new MRSEC will focus on two important, emerging approaches to build new materials aimed at improving human lives.

The first research theme is all about developing new ways to control the properties of materials during their synthesis by controlling how they transition, from the smallest atomic building blocks to materials that are Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

large enough to see with the human eye.

Improved materials for batteries and other technologies that help societies increase renewable energy use will emerge from UC San Diego MRSEC center projects.

The second research theme is focused on creating hybrid materials that incorporate living substances—microbes and plant cells—in order to create materials with new properties.

The new materials developed at UC San Diego will be used to improve the speed and accuracy of medical diagnostic tests, enable more effective therapeutics for disease treatment, quickly and efficiently decontaminate chemical or biological hazards, improve batteries, and reduce the cost of key industrial processes. “ This MRSEC grant is a wonderful affirmation of what we’ve known all along—that UC San Diego is a world-class research and education powerhouse in materials science. /LocalUmbrellaMedia

This grant is going to enable researchers and students from different disciplines to work together and chart the course for important new avenues for innovation in materials science,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.

At the heart of the new MRSEC are student programs designed to diversify materials science and a strong partnership with the educational arm of San Diego’s Fleet Science Center.

The team weaves 19 UC San Diego faculty members and their labs from the Division of Physical Sciences, the Jacobs School of Engineering and the Division of Biological Sciences into a large community of computational and materials science researchers.

A true UC San Diego collaboration “Our MRSEC capitalizes on three specific strengths at UC San Diego—our leadership in materials science, our leadership in the life sciences and our position as a national resource in high performance computing,”

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said Michael Sailor, professor of chemistry and biochemistry at UC San Diego and the leader of the center. “We are weaving the life sciences and high performance computing into materials science. That really makes our center unique.”

The MRSEC is the first big win for the UC San Diego Institute for Materials Discovery and Design (IMDD), which focuses on bridging the gap between physical scientists and engineers on the campus to enable cross-disciplinary research.

The UC San Diego professors who make up the leadership team of the UC San Diego MRSEC center are, left to right: Tod Pascal, Andrea Tao, Jon Pokorski, Nicole Steinmetz, Michael Sailor, Shirley Meng and Stacey Brydges.

“Many of tomorrow’s life-changing discoveries will happen at the intersection of engineering, physical sciences and biological sciences. This is why we pursue such interdisciplinarity here at UC San Diego, and this MRSEC is a tangible result of that effort. It is a tribute to the vision of Mike Sailor, Shirley Meng, Andrea Tao and Jon Pokorski to make the connections necessary to build this world-class team across such varied disciplines,” said Albert P. Pisano, dean of the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering.

This world-class research will directly serve UC San Diego graduate and undergraduate students, including transfer students.

According to Sailor, one of the unique challenges for transfer students is that they often do not have the time or the training to participate in the rich research enterprise at UC San Diego.

“Our MRSEC summer schools have a specific focus on bringing transfer students into the materials science research community—the intensive workshops are intended to bring them up to speed so that they can seamlessly enter a research lab. Exposure of undergraduates to cutting-edge research is one of the most important activities of the MRSEC, because fluency in research concepts, tools, and techniques is a key element of a well-trained STEM workforce,” said Steven Boggs, dean of the Division of Physical Sciences at UC San Diego.

Research thrust: predictive assembly The “predictive assembly” research team is working to bring the computational and predictive tools that the pharmaceutical industry has used successfully to design “small molecule” drugs with particular properties and behaviors into the realm of materials science.

The team is led by UC San Diego nanoengineering professors Andrea Tao and Tod Pascal.

Research thrust: living materials The living materials research team is using the tools of biotechnology to build new classes of materials that help make people healthier and safer.

The second UC San Diego team is using the tools of the biotechnology revolution—in particular, genetic engineering and synthetic Local News > LocalUmbrellaNews.com

biology—to build new classes of materials with new kinds of abilities. Materials that can repair themselves are just one example.

The team’s big idea is to incorporate living organisms, either from plants or microbes, into their new materials. UC San Diego nanoengineering professor Jonathan Pokorski co-leads this research team, along with co-leader Nicole Steinmetz, also a UC San Diego nanoengineering professor.

Diversif ying the materials science education pipeline As part of its core educational mission, the UC San Diego MRSEC team is developing a suite of education programs aimed at growing and diversifying the pipeline for materials scientists in the United States. Summer school workshops, for example, are designed to provide trainees with immersive experience in laboratory procedures, advanced instrumentation and computational methods, explained Stacey Brydges, a professor in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UC San Diego who oversees the educational elements of the MRSEC. “We view the summer schools as a transformative mechanism to enhance the training of participants from a broad range of educational levels—from high school to post-graduate,” said Brydges. “We will offer high school and undergraduate students, with particular opportunities for our transfer students, their first introduction to research.

The programs will also give incoming graduate students a quick start on their thesis projects.”

Programs will also provide established industrial and international scientists with an update on the “hot topics” by engaging UC San Diego MRSEC researchers.

MRSEC facilities One of the most important drivers of success in materials research today is the availability

VOL. 5 ISSUE 8 25 of cutting-edge instrumentation. The UC San Diego MRSEC will bring two new, exciting elements to the campus’ research-facilities ecosystem: the Engineered Living Materials Foundry and the MesoMaterials Design Facility.

The predictive assembly research team is weaving computational and predictive tools into the realm of materials science in order to create materials with new, useful properties.

“High-end computation and synthetic biology are both under-represented in the materials science field, and these are areas where we see our MRSEC facilities poised to make a big impact,” said UC San Diego nanoengineering professor Shirley Meng.

She leads the facilities thrust of the MRSEC and is also director of the IMDD. “A major task for our MRSEC is not just to build out the facilities ecosystem but also to train scientists and engineers on how to deploy these tools to enable their research.”

Public outreach To reach out to the public in new ways, the UC San Diego MRSEC team partnered with San Diego’s Fleet Science Center. “ The goals of many of our community programs and initiatives dovetail nicely with the MRSEC goals,” said Kris Mooney, director of education at the Fleet Science Center.

The MRSEC leverages the Fleet Science Center’s community engagement model, which relies on local community-articulated needs to guide the design and delivery of educational programming.

“When we were setting up the MRSEC, we paid close attention to the diversity of our program at all levels,” said Sailor. “We are particularly focused on diversifying the pipeline for materials science. This is a field that touches the lives of everyone. It’s critical that the people developing the future of materials science reflect society at large.”

The UC San Diego professors who make up the leadership team of the UC San Diego MRSEC center are, left to right: Tod Pascal, Andrea Tao, Jon Pokorski, Nicole Steinmetz, Michael Sailor, Shirley Meng and Stacey Brydges.

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CALI FORNI A’ S PE NSI ON CRI SI S Riskier bet: Why CalPERS, the country’s largest pension fund, is getting into banking

By Ben Christopher In Summary How does the nation’s biggest public pension system pay down its debts amid a global economic collapse? One idea: Become a banker.

Retired DMV clerks, former firefighters and aging government bean-counters across California, put on your three piece suits: You might be getting into the banking business.

The California Public Employees’ Retirement System, which manages a nearly $400 billion basket of nest eggs for retired public workers across the state, is wading into the rollicking market for private debt.

It used to be that lending directly to small and medium-sized companies not traded on public stock exchanges was the business of big banks. But after the financial crisis of 2008, those traditional lenders were forced to park their money into less risky ventures.

And that left behind a financial vacuum into which “shadow bankers� such as private equity financiers have been rushing ever since.

Now CalPERS, the nation’s largest pension fund, wants in on the action.

The pension fund staff calls it a “prudent� calculated risk. Critics call it a desperation move. Both agree that the fund — which faces hundreds of billions in unfunded future pension debt, persistently basement-scraping interest rates and now a pandemic-ravaged economy — is under pressure to perform. “We need every arrow in the quiver we can get, and private debt is one of the critical ones,� said Dan Bienvenue, CalPERS’ deputy chief investment off icer. “ There isn’t a no-risk choice.�

Rather than simply invest the money with Wall Street firms that then dole it out to borrowers — something CalPERS has already started doing — CalPERS managers want to cut out the middlemen and begin making and holding those loans themselves.

The board-approved policy allows CalPERS to put up to 5% of its total value into “opportunistic� investments, which includes private debt. That works out to about $20 billion, though Bienvenue said he doesn’t “expect to grow this to anything like that anytime soon.�

CalPERS’ turn to direct lending is part of a broader rethinking of the pension fund’s money-making strategy, approved by the organization’s board last month.

The plan also allows the fund to borrow up to $80 billion to goose potential profits — an 11-figure sum has generated skepticism from some financial experts and howls of protest from some corners of the political and financial commentariat. “Hopefully it works and they’re lucky and the taxpayers of California will be lucky,� said Matt Gelfand, a managing director of the investment advising firm Moreland Associate. “But there’s a greater risk.�

Susan Webber, a longtime critic of CalPERS management who writes under the pen name Yves Smith on her widely read finance blog Naked Capitalism, summed up her point in the title of her post: “CalPERS Plans to Blow Its Brains Out.�

Bienvenue said the new leverage policy just consolidates how much individual departments

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across the fund were already allowed to borrow into one total, which is actually lower than the prior policy. “What we’re doing is in fact far more boring than the headlines,� he said.

But both CalPERS’ money managers and its sharpest critics agree that the fund faces a daunting task: trying to earn sufficiently high returns to meet its future obligations without putting too much at risk.

A veil of secrecy?

Before CalPERS can start writing checks like a bank, the staff at the pension fund is asking for a little bank-like confidentiality.

Earlier this year, the pension fund sponsored legislation that would shield many of the documents and data related to its future private loans from California’s Public Records Act. The bill, authored by Elk Grove Democratic Assemblymember Jim Cooper, would make it impossible for journalists or anyone else to compel public pension funds to divulge any borrower’s personal identifying information, their financial statements, details about the collateral backing a loan and anything that might be considered a “trade secret.�

If the public pension fund is going to get into the business of making loans, CalPERS staff argued, it has to be able to as-

sure borrowers that their closely guarded financial information remains secret. “If we have to disclose it,� pension fund lobbyist Danny Brown told a February board meeting, “then they’re likely going to go to someone that doesn’t have to disclose it. So in order to make sure that we’re competitive in this market and getting the best opportunities, we need to (have) these similar rules that other folks will be playing by.�

Under the pending bill, the Public Records Act could still be invoked to learn who a borrower is, what the basic terms of a loan are, and whether a borrower has been in default for at least six months.

A central part of the pension fund’s new plan is to venture further from the well-traff icked coves of traditional stock and bond markets into the open, lightly-regulated waters of private investments. These include both private debt and private equity — in which the board purchases a direct ownership stake in a business.

These financial arrangements are unavailable to your average investor and are trickier to get out of. That makes them riskier, and as a result, investors can demand a higher return.

William Wang, emeritus professor of corporate finance at the

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Margaret Brown, one of CalPERS’ 13 board members and one of six who is elected, said she worries the pension fund staff does not have enough experience in making and managing loans. And this is not the right time to be learning on the job, she said. “CalPERS has a habit of jumping in the market at the wrong time,� said Brown. “It’s one thing if we do private debt and we take small steps, right? You don’t give your new puppy the big 32-ounce can of food. You don’t do it. He’ll choke on it.�

Brown, a regular contrary voice on the board, cast the lone dissenting vote last month against expanding the fund venture into “opportunistic� investments, which includes private debt.

Earlier this year she also voted against sponsoring the Public Records Act exclusion bill.

(No love lost: Brown recently sued the organization and the rest of the board after it penalized her for her use of the CalPERS name on her social media accounts.) Bienvenue, the deputy chief investment off icer, insisted that although the pension fund’s investment team does not have direct experience extending loans, the “experience and expertise� of those who have worked with other debt-related investments “are very similar and analogous to what would be required for this.� “ Sense of desperation�

CalPERS, like most public pension funds in the country, does face a tricky math problem: The board expects the fund’s investments to grow at an average rate of 7% each year. That number is more than an aspirational target; it’s also a vision of the future with major financial and political consequences.

A Flourish chart The less that CalPERS makes in from its investments, the more it has to draw from employers —

that is, taxpayers via their state and local governments — and public sector employees to pay for current and future retirement benefits. Few in state government are eager to ask cities or workers to cough up high contributions. Especially not now.

But in a period of prolonged low interest rates, it’s tough to earn that 7% without parking your money in some chancy investments, said Matt Gelfand, a managing director of the investment advising firm Moreland Associates. That puts pension fund managers in a bind. “Either they generate a (lower rate of ) return and it’s not enough to fund benefits, so somebody’s got to cover the cost of those benefits,� he said. “Or they do what CalPERS is aiming to do now-taking on a risk that might or might not work out.�

The story of public pension off icers scrambling for increasingly scant financial opportunities is four decades in the making.

According to an analysis by the Pew Charitable Trust, beginning in the 1980s pension fund managers began to diversify away from the safe, steady and thoroughly boring world of highly rated bonds, choosing to ride the stock market’s roller coaster.

After the turn of the century, with ever-lower interest rates making it even harder for investors to make money from traditional bonds, pensions ventured further into the Wild West of “alternative investments� — private equity, one-off infrastructure projects and real estate. Each step took

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the funds into potentially more profitable, but also more perilous, terrain. “It’s completely driven by the accounting rules and the accounting rules themselves are driving people to these choices,� said Tom Sgouros, a policy advisor who has argued that the fiscal threat of unfunded pension liabilities is overstated. “ The sense of desperation makes people make policy decisions that are unwise.�

Private credit appears to be the latest target for high-return seekers. According to the London-based financial data company Preqin, the total value of the global private credit market has ballooned from roughly $263 billion at the end of 2009 to $854 billion by the end of last year.

Too much money chasing too little opportunity?

Following the global financial crisis, “a lot of banks began to stop offering loans to middle-market firms and that created a large kind of chasm in that space,� said Ash Chauhan, a Preqin analyst. “When you’re looking at institutional investors like CalPERS, it was only a matter of time before they started investing.�

In fact, CalPERS may be a little late to the party.

A Flourish chart The Arizona State Retirement System has been investing in private debt since 2013. Alabama’s state pension fund followed suit and has since emerged as a kind of cautionary tale. The Retirement Systems of Alabama lent directly to iPic, a perk-ified theater chain known for its reclining

VOL. 5 ISSUE 8 27

chairs and menu of sweet potato fries and sliders. When iPic went bust last summer, Alabama’s state retirees ended up owning the chain outright. These are hardly boom times for movie theaters.

Given the amount of interest in private lending, “the question now is whether there is too much money there chasing too few opportunities,� said Wang of UC Hastings.

Before CalPERS can find out, the pension fund’s staff is counting on state legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom to sign off on its transparency exemption bill. It passed the Assembly with Marin County Democrat Marc Levine casting the lone “no� vote. “It’s hypocritical for Democrats in the Legislature to allow CalPERS to hide the critical information about investments and investors while seeking disclosure from the president on his investments,�

Levine told CalMatters. “Can you look more dopey than that?�

Nonetheless, the California Newspaper Publishers Association has moved from opposed to neutral on the bill. “We recognize that when dealing with information in this area there is going to be a concern about the privacy of borrowers, notwithstanding that this is a government agency involved in a lending program,� said Jim Ewert, the association’s general counsel. “ To the extent that there is questionable decision-making that’s going on, we may revisit this issue and attempt to tighten things up a bit more.�

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GIANT LEAP INDIAGNOSING LIVER DISEASE Stool microbes make a challenging diagnosis easier

Chronic liver disease represents a major global public health problem affecting an estimated 844 million people, according to the World Health Organization. It is among the top causes of mortality in Australia, the UK and the United States. At the same time, it is both difficult to manage and there is no FDA-approved anti-fibrotic liver therapy. The microbiome—a complex collection of microbes that inhabit the gut—may be an unexpected indictor of health.

Now, a collaborative team of Salk Institute and UC San Diego scientists have created a novel microbiome-based diagnostic tool that, with the accuracy of the best physicians, quickly and inexpensively identifies liver fibrosis and cirrhosis over 90 percent of the time in human patients.

Schematic showing how the microbiome signature from stool samples can be used to test for cirrhosis.

Schematic showing how the microbiome signature from stool samples can be used to test for cirrhosis.

The non-invasive method relies on an algorithm to analyze patient stool samples—which contains traces of what lives in the gut—and could lead to improved patient care and treatment outcomes for liver disease, as detailed online on June 30, 2020 in Cell Metabolism. “ The microbiome is a dynamic living sensor of small changes in health and disease in the body, and as such, it provides an accurate readout of body health,” says Salk Professor Ronald Evans, co-corresponding author and holder of the March of Dimes Chair. “Because this diagnostic is fast and low-cost, it could be something that becomes widely used, especially in the many areas that lack specialty clinics and physicians. Simply said, it could be a real game changer, with worldwide implications.”

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

From left: Michael Downes, Tae Gyu Oh and Ronald Evans. Credit: Salk Institute

(NAFLD) is the leading cause of chronic liver disease globally and can progress to liver fibrosis and cirrhosis and potentially cancer, as the liver starts to experience scarring and cell death. But diagnostic tools for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis are lacking. Biopsies are invasive and can miss injured regions of the liver, and MRIs are expensive and are often not available in rural areas. To address these challenges, the research team explored the microbiome as a way to meet the urgent need for a new test to identify patients at risk.

“We sought to develop a universal, non-invasive test for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis based on a ‘microbiome signature’ of the disease,” says Michael Downes, a Salk senior staff scientist and co-author of the study.

In collaboration with scientists from the UC San Diego Department of Medicine, the team optimized a computational method called machine learning to uncover a complex disease signature based on 19 bacterial species present in the stool samples of a patient group. The signature is made up of the different quantities of bacteria, creating a universal fingerprint for identifying liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. The study included 163 clinical samples from both healthy as well as sick family members to identify variables that were indicative of liver disease.

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Using data from microbiome genetic profiling and from metabolites from the stool samples, the researchers discovered a microbiome signature that was associated with a cirrhosis diagnosis with 94 percent accuracy. The microbiome signature could also determine the stage of liver fibrosis, which could allow doctors to grade patients based on their stage of the disease and improve treatment strategies. “ These findings demonstrate that it is possible to use machine learning to identify a universal signature that can be used for accurate diagnosis of a disease, such as liver cirrhosis,” says Tae Gyu Oh, first author of the paper and a postdoctoral researcher in the Evans lab. “ The patterns we found reflect the complexity of the microbiome and how gut health likely affects disease.”

The researchers then applied their microbiome signature to two independent populations of patients from China and Italy. The team’s signature could accurately identify cirrhosis in over 90 percent of patients, which validates the power and accuracy of the algorithm across different genetics and diets.

“It is remarkable that a gut microbiome signature derived from patients residing in Southern California for cirrhosis was able to predict cirrhosis in two

independent cohorts residing in China and Italy. It speaks to the new discoveries that are yet to be realized in the role of the gut microbiome to diagnose and risk-stratify liver disease,” says Rohit Loomba, co-corresponding author and director of the NAFLD Research Center at the UC San Diego School of Medicine. “I think the power of using the microbiome as a diagnostic tool is only starting to be realized.”

In the future, the scientists will examine the causal link between the microbiome and liver disease by testing whether restoring parts of the microbiome leads to regression of the disease or removing certain bacteria makes it worse. The team also hopes this approach can be used to characterize additional diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, Alzheimer’s and other diseases shown to be likely affected by a dysregulated microbiome.

Other researchers on the paper were Ting Fu, Ruth T. Yu and Annette R. Atkins of Salk; Susy M. Kim, Cyrielle Caussy, Shirin Bassirian, Seema Singh, Egbert V. Madamba, Ricki Bettencourt, Lisa Richards, Manuela Raffatellu, Pieter C. Dorrestein, David A. Brenner, Claude B. Sirlin and Rob Knight of UC San Diego; and Jian Guo and Tao Huan of the University of British Columbia Faculty of Science.

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SDSU Redevelopment of Mission Valley site could start in August

San Diego State University is scheduled to break ground in August on the redevelopment of Mission Valley land into an academic and research hub following the San Diego City Council vote approving the sale of the land to the university.

After a required 30-day waiting period, Mayor Kevin Faulconer will sign the agreement, fully executing the sale and beginning the escrow period. Transfer of ownership is expected to take place in early August and construction will begin on the site shortly thereafter, with the stadium and the river park first in line for development.

The landmark decision is historic, San Diego State University President Adela de la Torre and Mayor Kevin Faulconer said in a joint statement marking the milestone city vote.

SDSU Mission Valley will create an academic and research hub helping generations of San Diegans achieve their personal, educational, and professional goals, according to the joint statement. It will create thousands of

Rendering of the Mission Valley river park that is part of San Diego State University’s redevelopment plan.

jobs and strengthen our regional economy. It will also support many of the city’s goals by creating more housing, including affordable housing; enhancing mobility options with new bike and pedestrian paths; increasing

transit use; and improving the quality of life for all San Diegans through the creation of a world-class river park.

The community can follow development progress at missionvalley.sdsu.edu.

Rob Hutsel, President and CEO of San Diego River Park Foundation, Receives Stewardship Award Rob Hutsel, president and CEO of The San Diego River Park Foundation, is the recipient of the 2020 Stewardship Award presented by the San Diego chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.

The Stewardship Award recognizes local leadership that has contributed significantly to environmental progress, vision, and stewardship or a combination of these items.

After a sewage spill dumped 34 million gallons of sewage into the San Diego River in 2000, Hutsel co-founded the San Diego River

Park Foundation, which has had a tremendous impact on the health and well-being of the San Diego River watershed as well as the larger community of San Diego.

Hutsel’s tireless activism within the foundation has inspired a renewed commitment within the San Diego Community to protect and enhance therRiver as a place for recreation, habitat, and nature discovery.

Hutsel has helped galvanize a broad range of support for protecting the San Diego River Basin, including championing the

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successful passage of the San Diego River Park Master Plan and the subsequent River Park Legacy Endowment Fund.

His impact spans both the personal and political fields including volunteer programs, political advocacy, education centers, and public outreach.

Said Brett Allen, ASLA president, of Hutsel, “His work is healing the river watershed habitat and unifying community members around the river through the creation of a comprehensive river park system.”

VOL. 5 ISSUE 5

Local Umbrella Media salutes our healthcare workers, first responders and our community volunteers!

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30 VOL. 5 ISSUE 8

WRITE OUT LOUD Announces 11 ANNUAL TwainFest Shared Vir tually th

TwainFest Video Performances by Local Actors Shared Daily August 1-16

WRITE OUT LOUD, an organization founded in 2007 with a commitment to inspire, challenge and entertain by reading literature aloud for a live audience - announces the 11th Annual TwainFest. This year, TwainFest will be virtual - with new content being shared via email each day from August 1-16, and the daily video updates added to the Write Out Loud website.

TwainFest, now a tradition for many San Diego families, is historically an all-day FREE festival in Old Town San Diego celebrating Mark Twain and the literature and culture of 19th Century America. This year - TwainFest will be coming to the community virtually. From August 1-16, our patrons, and anyone who signs up, will receive free daily emails connecting them to our TwainFest Artists who have recorded their performances of literature at home - or on site at historical locations in the city.

Sign Up To Receive Free TwainFest Programming August 1 - 16 http://writeoutloudsd.com/twainfest/ Write Out Loud Artistic Director,

Veronica Murphy, shared “For 10 years, TwainFest has provided a fun-filled day, celebrating literature with people of all ages. Families have come together to spend a day away from their electronic devices, to have a tactile experience engaging with the literature, history and culture of the 19th century. Ironically, in this time of isolation and the need to create a little differently - that very technology is what makes it possible to continue to share TwainFest August 1 August 2 August 3 August 4 August 5 August 6 August 7

The Extraordinary Mark Twain Toyland Adventure Charles Dickens Suffrage Emily Dickinson How The World Ought To Work, According To Mark Twain August 8 Author Salon Edgar Allan Poe August 9 Episode Nine Love Everlasting August 10 Episode Ten Lessons To Live By August 11 Author Salon Helen Hunt Jackson August 12 Episode Twelve Tall Tales August 13 Episode Thirteen Mothers & Fathers August 14 Author Salon Henry David Thoreau August 15 Episode Fifteen From Afar August 16 Author Salon Mark Twain

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Episode One Episode Two Episode Three Author Salon Episode Five Author Salon Episode Seven

with our community - virtually. We are grateful to be able to connect with our audience at this difficult time, through a shared love of literature.�

Mark Twain (actor Tim West) serves as the host of this Virtual TwainFest - taking the audience on a daily tour of 19th Century literature. Audiences will enjoy performances by local actors - filmed from their homes and in outside spaces across San Diego.

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Programming is themed - and consists of 19th Century literature and poetry in different categories.

Cast Includes: Hailey Andrews, Rhianna Basore, Laurence Brown, Susan Clausen, Monique Gaffney, Cynthia Gerber, Spencer Gerber, Jason Heil, Katrina Heil, Paul Jacques, Brian Mackey, Paul Maley, Betty Matthews, Eric Minella, Walter Ritter, Sandra Ruiz, Steve Smith, Rachael VanWormer, Tim West, Travis Rhett Wilson and Catalina Zelles Write Out Loud serves over 23,000 people annually with their core programs: In addition to Twainfest, Write Out Loud presents a six show season of Story Concerts, Voices of Ireland each March, PoeFest - a celebration of Edgar Allan Poe each October, StoryBox Theatre (Kamishibai) for elementary students, Poetry Out Loud for high school students, Ripples From Walden Pond - a one-man play about Henry David Thoreau, Stories for Seniors, The NEA Big Read in San Diego and new since March 16, Listen to This - daily emails featuring short stories and poetry.

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Kim Hawley REALTOR� Kim Hawley Broker Associate DRE#01776106 3rd Generation Real Estate Professoinal Top 5% of REALTORS� in San Diego REALTOR¨ Voted 5-star professional

Local Marketing Updates May 2020 | North Park, 92104 Lets Connect!

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3379 32nd Street, North Park 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,475 SqFt | $955,000

Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or Compass is a real estate broker licensed by the State of California and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. License Number 01527365. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only and is compiled from sources deemed reliable but has not been verified. Changes in price, condition, sale or withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. withdrawal may be made without notice. No statement is made as to accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed.

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