San Diego, CA Focus

San Diego News:

San Diego Coffee Party Takes Off This Saturday – March 13th

The Ocean Beach Connections in Mayor Sanders’ Latest Scandal

The Pacific Surfliner

New Scientific Studies Make the Case for the Marine Life Protection Act

Serious Cuts Looming for San Diego Schools...cutting schools is one of the worst things a city can do. It almost invariably leads to higher crime, higher drug use and reduced job opportunities for our kids as they grow up.


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

Candidate Forum with California Women Making History
Date(s): Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time: 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Description: California List in partnership with Run Women Run invites you to attend this special event moderated by Bettina Duval, Founder of California List. Spotlighted candidates are Janice Han for Lieutenant Governor, Kamala Harris for Attorney General, Mary Salas for SD40, Crystal Crawford for AD74, Toni Atkins for AD76, and Pearl Quinones for AD79.

Cost: $40 members of either organization(save $5 if you purchase by 3/11) - $55 non-members - $250+ for opportunity for photo with candidates before program begins. Parking is free. Pay for your tickets and read more about candidates at www.californialist.org or www.runwomenrun.org.
Location: Proflowers/Provide Commerce, 4830 Eastgate Mall, San Diego
Website: www.califonialist.org

Black Mountain Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Description: John Hartley, Coordinator of Neighborhoods for Clean Elections,will speak on local efforts for clean elections and Jeanne Brown, a board member of San Diego's Neighborhoods for Clean Elections,will speak on the Fair Elections Now proposition (Prop 15) which will be on the June ballot.
Location: Mesa Village Recreation Hall 1, 10550 Caminito Flores, San Diego 92126
Contact: (858) 689-9185
Email: jerryollinger@hotmail.com
Website: www.blackmountaindemocrats.org

East County Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, March 18, 2010
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Coco's Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Pkwy El Cajon, CA 92022
Contact: (619) 447-3246
Email: president@ecdcweb.org
Website: www.ecdcweb.org

Coronado Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, March 20, 2010
Location: Coronado Municipal Golf Course Clubhouse
Contact: (619) 435-8130
Email: coronado_club@sddem.org
Website: www.coronadodemocrats.com

Region 21 Pre Primary Endorsement Conference
Date(s): Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Description: The CDP pre-primary endorsement conference for Congressional, State Senate and State Assembly candidates within CDP Region 21. If unable to attend because of scheduling conflicts, ballots should be mailed in by deadline.
Location: San Diego Machinists Building, 5150 Kearny Mesa Road, San Diego, CA 92111
Contact: (619) 952-3459
Email: attriv@yahoo.com

Region 20 Pre-Endorsing Conference
Date(s): Saturday, March 20, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Description: The Region 20 Pre-Endorsing Conference for AD 73, 74, 75; SD 36, 38; and CD 49, 50: will be held at the Joslyn Senior Center.
Location: Joslyn Senior Center
210 Park Avenue, Escondido CA 92025
Contact: Phil at (760) 716-6126
Email: pghanne@pacbell.net

La Jolla Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Sunday, March 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, March 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, March 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, March 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, March 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, March 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

Good Jobs Now! Make Wall Street Pay
Date(s): Friday, March 26, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Description: Big Wall Street banks brought on America's worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. While their actions destroyed American jobs, homes, and hope, the Big Banks got billions in taxpayer bailouts-and went back to business as usual. They gave their execs about $145 billion in 2009 pay and bonuses, and now they're spending millions lobbying to kill financial reform. America is 10 million jobs in the hole. Its time for Wall Street to pay to create the good jobs we need.
Location: 401 B Street, San Diego, 92101
Contact: (619) 228-8101
Email: info@unionyes.org
Website: www.unionyes.org

SDDWC Meet and Greet Democratic Candidates for the CA State Senate
Date(s): Saturday, March 27, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Description: Club members and members of all communities are invited to hear from Democratic candidates for the CA State Senate.
Location: City Heights Library, 3795 Fairmount Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105
Price: $0.00 / Person
Contact: (619) 582-5383
Email: SDDEMWomen@aol.com

South Bay Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Saturday, March 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

Goods Jobs, Local Jobs - Cesar Chavez Day March
Date(s): Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Time: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Description: Join the San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council as we march to honor Cesar Chavez and demand Good Jobs for all San Diegans. Suggested donation is for food.
Location: Spanish Landing
Price: $5.00 / Person
Contact: (619) 228-8101
Email: aprentice@unionyes.org
Website: www.unionyes.org

Pacific Beach Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, April 1, 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, April 1, 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, April 1, 2010
Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Cali Comfort Restaurant, 8910 Troy Street, Spring Valley, CA 91977

Contact: (619) 465-9176
Email: president@valleygrove.sddem.org
Website: www.valleygrove.sddem.org

Rancho North Coast Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, April 7, 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

Chicano Democratic Association Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, April 7, 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

La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Wednesday, April 7, 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

Eastlake Bonita Democratic Club Meeting
Date(s): Thursday, April 8, 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, April 8, 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.