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Shragg: Environment takes a hit from immigration surge

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Americans recently celebrated the 53rd anniversary of Earth Day. The holiday has changed drastically over the past half century — and so has the natural environment that activists are seeking to protect.Today’s green activists tend to mark Earth Day by focusing on ways to minimize their personal impact on the environment — through regular recycling, cleaning up local parks, planting trees, driving hybrids, or shopping with reusable bags. These environmentally friendly behaviors are all welcome, of course.But the activists who celebrated the first Earth Day in 1970 had a much broader focus — they were primarily concerned about our collective impact on the environment. As Senator Gaylord Nelson (D-WI), the founder of Earth Day, put it in a speech, activists’ goal was “a new American ethic that sets new standards for progress, emphasizing human dignity and well-being rather than an endless parade of technology that produces more gadgets, more waste, ...

Dahkari & Kaleena seek forever home together

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Dahkari and Kaleena are siblings who are looking for their family together. Those who know Dahkari best describe him as an extremely sweet, polite and well-mannered boy with a quirky sense of humor and a desire to please others. He loves to read, especially the Percy Jackson series, and also enjoys watching movies and playing video games. Dahkari makes friends easily and at school his teachers say that he is a wonderful child to have in class. They say he has a positive attitude and puts a lot of effort into his work. Dahkari’s favorite subject is math.Kaleena is a very kind and silly girl who can be a little shy. She smiles a lot and is always polite. Those who know her best describe her as a fun, sweet, and spunky child. Kaleena loves to dance. Her nickname is Shakira in her current foster-home, where she has also learned Spanish. Kaleena also likes imaginative play with dolls and playing with others. Kaleena just transferred to a new elementary school this year and has been thriv...

Expect the unexpected from Feist

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Leslie Feist’s “Multitudes” is not an ordinary pop album, so don’t expect an ordinary show when she hits town this week.During a mini-tour last year, she previewed the album with an elaborate show that broke barriers between her and the audience. The Canadian artist, who performs under her last name only, has since adapted that show to larger venues, and will bring it to the MGM Music Hall on Wednesday.“I think that as an audience member myself, there’s something about disappearing into your velvet seat,” she said recently. “You arrive to receive something, but it’s up to you how much you’re going to give of yourself. (After the COVID shutdown) I felt more open to doing something that wasn’t expected. People had come through this transformative experience, so it was okay to be a little curious. So the show was an invitation to be delighted, and to check your irony at the door.”The live show is also tied to the themes of the album, which include her adopting a daughter and losing her...

Editorial: Eviction surge shows need for reforms to protect elderly

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

America’s system of caring for elderly people who need long-term care is strained to the breaking point.Assisted-living facilities and the federal-state Medicaid system that’s supposed to provide medical insurance for low-income people are at odds over reimbursement rates — how much the facilities should receive for caring for people whose bills are paid by Medicaid.People whose nursing home bills are paid by Medicaid are protected by federal law from eviction, but assisted-living facilities aren’t similarly regulated. Maybe it’s time they were.According to a report in the Washington Post, there’s a disturbing trend of elderly people being unceremoniously evicted from facilities that have become their long-term homes.Imagine: An elderly man or woman reaches the point where it’s no longer safe or even possible to live at home without some help. That person finds a new home at an assisted-living facility and, for a time, things go reasonably well.Then, often without much warning, that...

Watson: Corporations put woke initiatives before employees

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Corporations are putting their political agendas before their customers, employees and shareholders. Political considerations aimed at pleasing the mythical “stakeholder” drive some of the most significant decisions companies make.The Claremont Institute uncovered an egregious abuse of shareholder and employee trust at the behest of the mythic “stakeholder.” Corporations like AT&T, for example, laid off 3,400 employees at the height of the COVID pandemic while at the same time dumping $3.1 billion into racial justice programs. Boeing laid off 26,000 employees and suspended dividends while giving $15 million to racial justice programs. General Motors suspended its dividend and share buyback programs while donating $10 million to racial justice causes. Uber laid off 6,700 employees while pledging $61 million to racial equity nonprofits.Yes, some woke policies have been instigated by company employees (like in the case of Disney’s public opposition to Florida’s “don’t say gay” bill...

On Mother’s Day, here’s the meaning of ‘bonus mom’

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

With Mother’s Day here, all sorts of bonus mom articles and merchandise have been popping up all over the internet. This prompted me to Google the term — I was interested in what the results might say, since I made up the term over 35 years ago, and this contributed to a whole Bonus Families movement.At that point, society was changing, and I was living in what is now accepted as a bonus family. It was obvious to me and so many others who felt the term “step” did not describe their family that we needed a new term that positively addressed the way we truly felt about each other.“Bonus” became our word of choice.But, doing my research online recently, I see the term has morphed into an incorrect assumption, and I would like to correct this once and for all. The common definition you find when you Google “bonus mom” is “a mom who didn’t birth the children that she is raising. This can be in the form of adoption or as parenting a child of a spouse.”This is incorrect and misleadin...

How to get a safety plan at the courthouse

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Q. I have to go to court for a pre-trial conference next month.  I am incredibly nervous to see my husband again.  Last time I saw him he was being lead away in handcuffs when I had to call the police.  I did not get a restraining order because I’m not sure I can handle the process of going to court with him.We have not been to court yet for our divorce and I have no idea what to expect.  He was the one who filed so I’ve never even been in the courthouse.  Can you tell me what it is like and what I should expect that day?A. Let’s start with what to do before you get to court.  If you have not already done so, you should write up an answer to his divorce complaint saying you agree or disagree with each paragraph in the complaint.  You should, in the same document, write up a “Counterclaim for Divorce” and copy the paragraph format of what was said in his complaint only you are the plaintiff this time.  Then you should bring this to the court to file.  Bringing it to the court g...

Dear Abby: Woman thinks BF raised entitled freeloaders

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

Dear Abby: I have been dating a wonderful man for two years. He has two grown children, 27 and 21. Both have good jobs and work full time. I have a son who is 12. The issue is family vacations, and paying for things while on vacation.I feel that since his children are adults, they should help pay for meals, lodging and activities. I’m not saying pay for the entire bill, but throw in $20 for a meal or even offer to pay for something. Don’t just expect him or me to pay because it’s a family vacation. My 12-year-old paid for his meals on his own because he thinks it’s cool — it made him feel responsible and like an adult. We took a vacation with his 21-year-old, and not once did she offer to pay, or even say thank you.We get into arguments about this before vacations. I know they’re not my kids, but what he’s teaching them is that Dad will always pay for everything, even when they have families of their own. Please advise. — Miffed in Min...

Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach reopened to public

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- The Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach has been reopened after about a weeklong closure, according to City of San Diego officials.The temporary closure began on May 4 as a safety precaution, because the wooden structure appeared to have some damage in the western end of the boardwalk owned by the city. City officials believed the damage was sustained during the winter storms. 6 places to go kayaking in San Diego At the beginning of the closure, the city told FOX 5 that it had hired a consultant, Moffatt & Nichol, to inspect the current condition of Crystal Pier. In a tweet Saturday, city officials said that the consultant's inspection determined that the pier did sustain minor damage, but it remains safe for public use.The city has not confirmed if repairs are going to be made to the pier at this time or whether there will be additional closures in the future for any maintenance work.

Firefighters rescue dog from house fire; nine residents displaced

Published Sun, 29 Dec 2024 13:54:39 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Firefighters resuscitated a dog after a residential fire broke out Saturday night, leaving nine people displaced, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue.Crews were dispatched to the scene in the 6600 block of Skyline Drive in Encanto just after 4 p.m. The fire was in a two-story residence, according to SDFD. When fire crews arrived, light smoke showing from the front of the home.Multiple rooms were in flames, but crews were able to confine it to the second floor living room. The room sustained significant damage, according to fire officials.Firefighters rescued one resident from the second floor of the home, as well as a dog. All other occupants were able to get out of the building on their own, SDFD said. Man killed in City Heights shooting, arrest made None of the residents or firefighters were injured in the blaze. The dog, however, had to be resuscitated by fire crews using a canine oxygen mask. They were taken to a veterinary hospital for further treatment. The curre...