San Diego, CA Focus

San Diego News:

Controversy erupts over California GOP chairman's private life

Rainwater harvesting, urban style

Peraza raises more than $45,000 for Chula Vista City Council

Voice of San Diego Reports on Dismal Nature of Safety Nets in San Diego County

How Low We've Sunk

Courage Campaign, Equality California Renew Calls for Manchester Hotel Boycott


Here is a great calendar of events for San Deigo, California, thanks to the San Diego County Democrats:

Workshop for Central Committee Candidates
Date(s): Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Description: Intended for anyone thinking about running for a seat on the San Diego County Democratic Central Committee, this training by Chair Jess Durfee will give you an overview of the election process and the Central Committee's activities.
Location: Democratic Party Headquarters, 8340 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., Suite 105, San Diego, CA 92111
Contact: (858) 277-3367
Email: info@sddemocrats.org

Del Mar/Carmel Valley Democratic Club Meeting Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Contact for Location
Contact: (858) 692-9524
Email: president@dmcv.sddem.org
Website: www.dmcv.sddem.org

Eastlake Bonita Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Bonita Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita 91902
Contact: (619) 267-1244
Email: president@sbdemocrats.org
Website: www.ebdemocrats.org

Poway Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 11, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Twin Peaks Middle School Rm 608, 14640 Tierra Bonita Rd, Poway 92064
Contact: (858) 748-5330
Email: president@powaydemocraticclub.org
Website: www.powaydemocraticclub.org

Filipino-American Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Location: Filipino-American Veterans Association, San Diego 92102
Contact: (619) 764-8926
Email: filipinoamerican_club@sddem.org

Escondido Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Contact for Location
Contact: (760) 739-8119
Email: escondido_club@sddem.org
Website: www.escondidodems.org

Lake San Marcos Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Location: Palomar Estates West Club Room, 1930 W San Marcos Blvd, San Marcos 92078
Contact: (760) 752-1035
Email: president@lsm.sddem.org
Website: www.lsm.sddem.org

Lake San Marcos Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Description: For Febuary's meeting we have invited the Democratic contenders for the US Congressions seat in our district Tracy Emblem and Francine Busby to be our guests. Presenting their platforms, they will debate local and national issues and entertain questions f
Location: LAKESIDE PAVILION at SAN MARCOS, La Bonita Drive, San Marcos, CA 92078.
Contact: (760) 752-1032
Email: SOLSM12@aol.com
Website: www.lsm.sddem.org

Martin Luther King Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Malcolm X Library, 5148 Market St, San Diego 92114
Contact: (619) 578-1014
Email: president@mlking.sddem.org
Website: www.mlking.sddem.org

Progressive Democrats-North Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 13, 2010
Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Palomar Unitarian Universalist Church, 1600 Buena Vista Dr. Vista 92081
Contact: (760) 842-8534
Email: progressive-club@sddem.org
Website: www.pdsandiego.org

East County Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Coco's Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Pkwy El Cajon, CA 92021
Contact: (619) 447-3246
Email: president@ecdcweb.org
Website: www.ecdcweb.org

Black Mountain Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Mesa Village Recreation Hall 1, 10550 Caminito Flores, San Diego 92126
Contact: (858) 689-9185
Email: blackmtn_club@sddem.org
Website: www.blackmountaindemocrats.org

La Jolla Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Sunday, February 21, 2010
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: La Jolla Riford Branch Library, 7555 Draper Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037
Contact: (858) 752-9544
Email: lajolla_club@sddem.org
Website: www.lajollademocrats.org

Rancho Bernardo Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Monday, February 22, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Remington Club II, 16916 Hierba Dr., Rancho Bernardo
Contact: (858) 674-7422
Email: ranchobernardo_club@sddem.org
Website: www.sdncdc.org

Uptown Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Joyce Beers Community Center, San Diego 92103
Contact: (619) 249-1625
Email: uptown_club@sddem.org
Website: www.uptowndemocrats.org

Santee Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Carlton Hills Lutheran Church, 9735 Halberns Blvd (1 block N or Mast Blvd) Santee 92071
Contact: (619) 258-9190
Email: santee_club@sddem.org
Website: www.santeedemocrats.org

Chula Vista Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Location: Brewhouse at Eastlake, 871 Showroom Place, Chula Vista CA 91914
Contact: (619) 917-7963
Email: president@chulavista.sddem.org
Website: www.chulavista.sddem.org

San Diego Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, February 25, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Joyce Beers Community Center, Uptown Center, Hillcrest.
Contact: (858) 405-9903
Email: president@sddemoclub.org
Website: www.sddemoclub.org

Democratic Club of Carlsbad/Oceanside Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Carlsbad Women's Club, 3320 Monroe St., Carlsbad CA 92008
Contact: (760) 435-0046
Email: demcco_club@sddem.org
Website: www.demcco.org

Black History Month Celebration of African American Women Leaders in SD County
Date(s): Saturday, February 27, 2010 - Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Description: The SDDWC special Black History Month Program Salute to African American Women Leaders in San Diego County.
Location: City Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
Price: $0.00 / Person
Contact: (619) 582-5383
Email: SDDEMWomen@aol.com

San Diego Democratic Women Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: City Heights-Weingart Branch Library, 3795 Fairmount Ave (2nd Floor Community Room) San Diego 92105
Contact: (619) 948-4515
Email: president@women.sddem.org
Website: www.women.sddem.org

South Bay Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, February 27, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: InterAmerican College, 140 West 16th St, National City 91950
Contact: (619) 994-0884
Email: president@sbdc.sddemorg
Website: www.sbdc.sddem.org

La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: La Mesa Community Center, La Mesa 91941
Contact: (619) 741-1994
Email: president@lmfdc.sddem.org
Website: www.lmfdc.sddem.org

Chicano Democratic Association Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Ave, San Diego 92102 (little yellow house to the right)
Contact: (619) 384-4353
Email: chicanodem_club@sddem.org
Website: www.chicanodemocrats.com

Rancho North Coast Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Clubhouse, 434 Requieza St, Encinitas, CA 92024
Contact: (760) 942-2701
Email: ranchocoast_club@sddem.org
Website: www.ranchodemocrats.org

Pacific Beach Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Pacific Beach Recreation Center, 1405 Diamond St, San Diego 92109
Contact: (858) 274-8173
Email: president@pbclub.sddem.org
Website: www.pbclub.sddem.org

Fallbrook Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Fallbrook Public Utility Dist (Conf Rm) 990 E Mission Rd, Fallbrook 92028
Contact: (760) 723-4679
Email: fallbrook_club@sddem.org
Website: www.fallbrookdemocraticclub.com

Spring Valley-Lemon Grove Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Private Home 2457 Trace Rd, Spring Valley 91978
Contact: (619) 465-9176
Email: president@valleygrove.sddem.org
Website: www.valleygrove.sddem.org

Mesa Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Monday, March 8, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: SDCDP Headquarters, 8340 Clairemont Mesa Blvd, 92111
Contact: (858) 361-1735
Email: president@mesa.sddem.org
Website: www.mesa.sddem.org

Del Mar/Carmel Valley Democratic Club Meeting Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Contact for Location
Contact: (858) 692-9524
Email: president@dmcv.sddem.org
Website: www.dmcv.sddem.org

Eastlake Bonita Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Bonita Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Rd, Bonita 91902
Contact: (619) 267-1244
Email: president@sbdemocrats.org
Website: www.ebdemocrats.org

Poway Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 11, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Twin Peaks Middle School Rm 608, 14640 Tierra Bonita Rd, Poway 92064
Contact: (858) 748-5330
Email: president@powaydemocraticclub.org
Website: www.powaydemocraticclub.org

BIODIESEL IN SAN DIEGO:

Biodiesel is one of the alternatives I have been pushing for some time. It can be used in any diesel engine, is less polluting and has a smaller carbon footprint than regular diesel.

Here are some gas stations that offer biodiesel in the San Diego area:

Carr's Car Center: 3940 Mission Avenue, Oceanside, CA 92054, 760-433-2166. Offers B5 (5% biodiesel, good for any diesel engine). Open M-SAT 6AM-6PM.

Soco Group: 145 Vernon Way, El Cajon, CA 92020, 858-627-0440. Offers B20 (20% biodiesel, good for any diesel engine). Open 7 AM - 5PM M-F.

Pearson Ford/RTC Fuels: 4067 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92105, 619-243-0456. Offers B99 (99% biodiesel, good for new engines, some old engines not ok). Open 7AM-10PM.


SAN DIEGO FOOD CO-OPS:

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Co-op
4765 Voltaire St.
San Diego, California 92107
Phone: (619) 224-1387
FAX: (619) 224-5089
editor@oceanbeachpeoples.com
http://www.obpeoplesfood.coop

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market is a member-owned vegetarian consumer co-op that has been serving the community since 1971. Originally a worker's collective, the cooperative has grown to include 6000 feet of retail space and more than 8000 member/owners. The Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic produce, grocery, dairy, and bulk foods and herbs, as well as vitamins and homeopathics, cruelty-free bodycare, and aromatherapy products. Enjoy a full service sit-down deli featuring a delicious selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, freshly prepared baked goods, desserts, and more! At People's, San Diego's only community owned grocery store, we specialize in products that are organic, wholesome, minimally processed, cruelty-free, and environmentally safe.

They also have a good community events calendar.

The UCSD Food Coop
0323F Student Cooperative Center,
San Diego, California 92093
Phone: (619) 546-8339
foodcoop@burn.ucsd.edu

I used to shop at this one way, way back when I went to UCSD. It was great then!

Since its introduction to the campus in 1978, the Food Co-op has committed itself to providing the UCSD community with a natural food alternative, as well as a resource for environmentally conscious products and information.

The Food Co-op carries a variety of food and non-food products ranging from baked goods, juices, sandwiches, fresh organic produce, macro-biotic and ethnic foods to cruelty-free cosmetics and environmentally safe cleaning agents. Many foods are stocked in bulk to reduce the price to the customer and the waste of packaging (please bring bags when buying!). Special orders can be made at discount prices (good for items not necessarily carried in the store, as well!).

Come in to shop, get informed, and/or volunteer as a general member of our store. For more information, call (858) 546-8339.

I will also point out some other UCSD co-ops that I liked when I was a student there.

The Ché Café

The Ché Café Collective is dedicated to providing cheap, healthy vegetarian food, all-ages entertainment, and alternative education. We have All-We-Can-Eat dinners every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Entertainment at the Ché ranges from poetry readings and plays to forums, or shows of local bands.

The Ché Café is surrounded by a grove of old eucalyptus trees and is next to the beautiful garden of the Farm Co-op. Tables and chairs inside and outside of the Ché and its close proximity to the Farm Co-op make it an inviting place to eat, study, or just hang out.

The Ché Café is open to having people come by and help out. The Café provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process of cooking, running a restaurant and/or putting on events at any level they feel comfortable at. Stop by or call us at (858) 534-2311.

(The Ché Café is located on the Revelle campus behind the Undergraduate library and down the hill from Stonehenge. We're the building with all the murals on it.) Read more about the Che Cafe Collective at its very own website: http://checafe.ucsd.edu/.

General Store

The General Store Co-op is a student-run store which was founded in 1980 to offer students a less expensive alternative to the high Price Center. [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not quite right...the Price Center didn't even exist when the General Store was founded and greatly appreciated by students like myself.] As a student cooperative, we try to provide the University community with the best quality merchandise at the lowest prices. And we succeed! The General Store Co-op carries items such as selected essential school and office supplies, household and personal items, stationery and gift wrap, clothing (including UCSD logos), craft-center jewelry, and some food and snack items -- all of which range from 5-25% less than anywhere else on campus.

Students are generally most interested in the fact that we sell textbooks, which are guaranteed to cost less than at the UCSD bookstore. We also try to carry as many used texts as possible. Also, we buy back current editions year round. Stop by to check which classes' books we're carrying.

We encourage everyone to visit the General Store Co-op for our low prices and friendly service. Additionally, anyone is invited to come in and volunteer anytime as volunteers are the backbone of our organization. For further information or friendly help please feel free to call us at (858) 534-3932.