Month: June 2011

by Lucas O’Connor / Two Cathedrals

It certainly looks like councilman and aspiring mayor Carl DeMaio got caught with his hand in the cookie jar [recently], soliciting contributions for his mayoral campaign earlier than permitted by law. An invitation for his campaign launch reception went live over Memorial Day weekend, according to a release from the San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council. The trouble with all of that is… it violates San Diego’s election law.

by George J. Janczyn / Grok’s Surf San Diego / June 1, 2011

San Diego County faces a “new normal” where water is concerned. What’s the new normal? It’s widespread community awareness that we inhabit an arid region, rely on mostly imported water to survive, are vulnerable to supply disruptions from a variety of causes, human and natural, and must use water wisely and sparingly, drought or no drought.

Wealthy but benevolent leader of “geraniums” well-known for “City Beautiful” concept and for gifts of parks to San Diego

Originally posted June 1, 2011

Late last week, Patty and I took a guided tour of the Marston House and its surrounding gardens, sited on the north end of Balboa Park. Tours are available 10 to 5, Friday through Sunday for $8 apiece. (Hours and prices have changed for the summer season, see the information below)

We took the tour of the over-one-hundred-year house and then walked the gardens – as all visitors do – on our own. The house tour took nearly an hour and it was worth it to get a glimpse into the lifestyle of one of San Diego’s early and more benevolent oligarchs – George Marston, his spouse Anna, and their children – four daughters and one son.

George Marston – you should know – was one of San Diego’s “leading” businessmen in the early 1900s. His opulent downtown department store at 5th and C streets was legendary, …

Buddy, my 10 year old Golden Retriever, has been asking for a companion for many months now. Since his Alpha Male died – my husband Bob – he seems to be looking for someone else to take his place. True, he has me, but I don’t run with him the way Bob did; I do walk with him, but we spend so much time “watering” people’s lawns that neither of us is getting a good cardio workout.