Win Dinner for two!
VOTE ONLINE AT
PeninsulaBeacon.com www.SDNEWS.com Volume 24, Number 36
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2009
San Diego Community Newspaper Group
City not wavering in hunt for waiver Wastewater plant exemption appeal set BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
The city of San Diego will officially appeal the California Coastal Commission’s (CCC) denial of a waiver that would allow the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant to operate below pollution standards. The formal challenge will take place during next month’s regular CCC meeting on Oct. 8 in Oceanside. “It will be thoroughly discussed at the hearing,” said CCC legislative coordinator Sarah Christie. An appearance before the 12 commissioners is one of two routes of appeal that the city has at its disposal. If the direct CCC appeal is unsuccessful, the city can appeal the commission’s decision to the
U.S. Department of Commerce. “That’s the most expedient way to take another look at the issue,” Christie said of the meeting appeal. Since the August meeting, when the waiver was rejected 8-1, two new commissioners have been named to the CCC, possibly influencing the appeal process. Santa Cruz County Supervisor Mark Stone and Oceanside City Councilwoman Esther Sanchez will replace two commissioners whose terms had expired. Christie said the waiver was not discussed during the CCC’s September meeting in Eureka. “There could definitely be some merit for the commission to have some additional discussion on the SEE WAIVER, Page 5
R E M E M B E R I NG A BYGON E E RA
Statue pays tribute to city’s rich fishing, cannery history BY ANTHONY GENTILE | THE BEACON
A thriving industry in San Diego in the 20th century — one steeped in tradition for generations of Portuguese and Italian families in the Peninsula area — tuna fishing and canning was driven from the area in the mid-1980s because of toothier environmental laws, foreign competition and cost efficiency problems that forced much of the industry overseas. On Saturday, Sept. 26, a public art project honoring the gritty, physically demanding industry will be dedicated downtown. “It’s going to be a beautiful day to be able to salute the cannery industry and the fishing industry, so I’m really looking forward to the date,” said Port of San Diego commissioner Robert “Dukie” Valderrama. The tribute to cannery workers, dubbed Parque del Sol, is located at Parque del Sol, a tribute to the fated the corner of Cesar Chavez Parktuna fishing and canning industries in way and Crosby Street, adjacent to San Diego, will be dedicated downtown on Saturday, Sept. 26. COURTESY PHOTO
Surf Report SATURDAY
Hi: 7:07 a.m. 4:08 p.m. Low: 10:20 a.m. -:-Size: 3-5 ft. Wind: 10-16 mph
SUNDAY
Hi: 7:20 a.m. 5:28 p.m. Low: 12:03 a.m. 11:51 a.m. Size: 2-4 ft. Wind: 12-14 mph
SEE TRIBUTE, Page 6
Folklore festival dishes up color, culture Cultural revelers were dazzled by color, music, food and frivolity during the annual Portuguese Folklore Festival at the United Portuguese S.E.S. Hall on Saturday, Sept. 19. Top, dancers show off their traditional dance moves while, at left, costumed participants check out a vendor booth with plenty of Portuguese-themed items. At right, PHOTOS BY MARIA EPSTEN | THE BEACON Sabrina and her son, Adrian, share a moment with family friend Emily.
Cabrillo’s landing put San Diego on map — literally A traditional re-enactment of Juan Cabrillo’s landing on the shores of San Diego in 1542 takes place at 1 p.m. Sunday at Ballast Point in Point Loma. PAUL HANSEN | THE BEACON
BY SEBASTIAN RUIZ | THE BEACON
Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542 and named the area San Miguel. Not until the arrival of Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602 on the flagship “San Diego” did the city get its current name. Vizcaino surveyed San Diego Bay and what is now Mission Bay and named the land for the Spanish Roman Catholic saint San Diego de Alcala, according to
the San Diego Historical Society. Yet during the initial discovery 467 years ago, Cabrillo originally claimed the area for the king of Spain prior to sailing up the coast of California before the region was renamed San Diego. The explorer died about four months later in the Channel Islands near Santa Barbara, according to a timeline pubSEE CABRILLO, Page 3
Music collection out
Movers and shakers
PLHS still perfect
Point Loma’s award-winning theater icon, Larry Zeiger, will host a gala feting the release of his new CD. 8
Point Loma Nazarene officials are set to unveil the winners of the latest ‘Dealmaker of the Year’ awards. 3
The Pointers use their stingy defense to upend El Capitan High and remain unbeaten. 11