Category: Health

By Amanda Reiman / Alternet / Dec. 4, 2012 When Michael Saffioti’s mother suggested that he turn himself in to…

A “McJob” play set? Makeup for babies?

By Lauren Kelly / AlterNet / December 6, 2012 |

If you, your siblings, or your close friends have children, you know that the holidays often involve toy shopping. And if you’re a progressive, you know that a trip to the toy store can be very depressing indeed.

It’s not that toys plastered with corporate logos, or gender-essentialist toys, or toys made from toxic chemicals are a new phenomenon. But with the holiday season becoming more and more consumer-driven each year, and awareness of these issues increasing, the “problem toys” seem to stick out more than ever. (At least for this writer, whose friends are all starting to have kids.)

Nuclear warfare: Nuclear backers, opponents present opposing ideas on San Onofre

By Dave Rice / San Diego Reader / December 5, 2012

The World Resources Simulation Center played host Tuesday evening to an open forum: “Green Scene – the Costs and Benefits of San Onofre Nuclear Power in our Backyard.” The Downtown-area Center, described as an “immersive visualization center,” outfitted with a dozen large-scale projectors and internet-equipped laptops scattered amongst the crowd, …

Wham bam, thank you, ma’m! The OB Pier in Ocean Beach closed today – Saturday – the 1st of December – due to the high surf.

San Diego Lifeguard Lt. Nick Lerma told NBC 7 that, due to high tides, the OB Pier would likely remained closed until about 1 p.m. Saturday as a safety precaution. Their report continued:

According to the National Weather Service, a high surf advisory is in effect across San Diego County beaches until 1 p.m. Monday. The NWS says a large west to northwest swell will generate high surf along local beaches and surf heights will continue to build through Saturday, slowly calming Sunday and Monday.

At their peak, the NWS says tidal swings of more than six feet will hit beaches Saturday morning, with lower tides in the afternoon. Surf heights are expected to reach seven to 10 feet, with sets of 12 feet or higher along Cardiff.

Hearing Today Nov. 30 in Laguna Hills as nine cities voice concerns over safety issues

By Miriam Raftery / East County Magazine / Nov. 30, 2012

November 30, 2012 (San Diego)—Southern California Edison has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of possible sabotage at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating facility, after finding coolant poured in the oil reservoir of an emergency backup generator at Unit 3, Energy News reports.

The FBI is taking over the investigation …

By John Lawrence / San Diego Free Press

All the late night talk shows laughed it up over the supposed demise of Twinkies, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, Wonder Bread etc as the news came out that Hostess Brands was going bankrupt. But delve beneath the surface and you will find something more akin to a Shakespearean tragedy than talk show banter.

It’s a tale involving two unions, one private equity fund, two hedge funds and a whole cast of former CEOs. There is sacrifice, greed and betrayal. 18,000 workers will be losing their jobs while some vulture capitalists will be walking away with millions.

By Kristen Gwynnn / Alternet

Unroll the tapestries, twist up a joint and crank up the Bob Marley jams! The stoners have token — excuse me, spoken — and dope is now legal in two states.

That’s the kind of ridiculous banter pundits have employed to discuss a historic moment in US democracy: the legalization of marijuana in Washington and Colorado. Put aside the stoner spectacle-making, and we can begin to make sense not only of voters’ decision in WA and CO, but also why other states …

The wireless antennaes on the Masonic Temple are up for renewal. The permit for their renewal will be discussed at the next meeting of the Project Review Committee of the OB Planning Board. This will be Wednesday night – November 21- at the regularly scheduled gathering of the sub-committee of the full board.

By Paul Armentano / Alternet / Nov. 2, 2012

Colorado and Washington – are poised to make history.

In Colorado, voters will decide on Amendment 64, a Constitutional amendment that allows for those age 21 or older to legally possess up to one ounce of cannabis and cultivate up to six cannabis plants in the privacy of their home. …

By John Lawrence / San Diego Free Press

I have been going to Tijuana for dental work for five years. In that time I’ve had two root canals, several crowns and an implant. I’ve also taken my two granddaughters down there for routine dental work a couple of times. In the process I’ve saved several thousand dollars and been completely pleased with the results.

It was another fall off Sunset Cliffs. This happened Tuesday night, October 30th, about 7:30. An unidentified woman in her 20s was transported by paramedics and lifeguards off the beach at the foot of Santa Cruz Avenue into an ambulance. Her condition is not known.

One officer was overheard by Dave Rice, blogger for the Reader, to comment: “She just got drunk and fell off a cliff.” About a crowd of two dozen had formed to witness the rescue.

Where Have You Been All My Life?

I think I have died and gone to heaven. Or someplace I never expected to be found in. I am walking around in a daze, with a smile on my face, and wondering how this wonderful man came into my life.

Oh no, no! This is not a result from my on-line dating. This is the result of a life-long fear perpetuated by my mother. When I was a little girl, she always told me that if I was a “bad girl” she would send me to her sister Mitzi because Mitzi worked for a dentist! “And you know that dentists can hurt people, Judi.”