We recently celebrated my god daughter’s birthday with a carnival theme birthday party. The party took about four months to plan. I thought I’d share some tips on how to create a carnival birthday party at an affordable price. Use Your Resources: Ask friends who specialize in certain tasks to help you. We were fortunate to have a friend who… Read more →
‘Bully’ Film Gives Voice to the Silent — But Fails to Give Solutions
This was written for Patch.com on April 13, 2012. It’s authentic, heartbreaking and dynamic. And, for once, the stories of the estimated 13 million children bullied each year are told in a broad way. The highly anticipated Bully is finally released and though the PG-13 documentary is certainly worth watching, stories seem to be only half told. Bully, which had… Read more →
Poway Drug Use: Too Much Talk or Not Enough?
This story was reported for Patch Media on Feb. 4, 2011. Depending on whom you ask, the issue of drug abuse—primarily of OxyContin—in Poway and, more specifically, at Poway High School is either a serious problem or one of little significance compared to other communities in the county. Some students at the school maintain that there isn’t a significant problem… Read more →
Colorado River Water Shortage for Western States Foreseen in U.S. Study
This story was reported for Patch on Dec. 12, 2012. The Colorado River won’t be able to support the growing population of Western states including California, says a federal study released Wednesday. The study—conducted by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation over the course of three years—says the river will be an estimated 3.2 million acre-feet short… Read more →
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Urges Higher Taxes, Science/Math Priority
This story was reported for Patch on Oct. 16, 2012. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn’t mention tax and education measures on the Nov. 6 ballot at a San Diego appearance Monday but left no doubt which side deserved an assist. “We have to pay more taxes,” he told the California STEM Learning Network Summit at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel—with STEM standing… Read more →
Feinstein: Obama and Romney Both Wrong on Greatest Threat to America
This story was reported for Patch on Oct. 23, 2012. Contrary to what Barack Obama and Mitt Romney said in Monday night’s debate, the greatest threat to America is cyber-attack, says Sen. Dianne Feinstein. The 79-year-old senator—who visited San Diego on Tuesday—told a group of about 200 business and community leaders that it’s “imperative” Congress pass a cyber-security bill. “The… Read more →
Poway’s Hal Clement Retires From Local TV After 40 Years
This story was reported for Patch on Sept. 2, 2011. He started out in the industry earning $2 an hour and eventually worked his way up to interviewing historical figures such as César Chávez and George H.W. Bush. But now Poway’s own Hal Clement, the man who has graced San Diego’s broadcast journalism scene for 40 years, is calling it… Read more →
Filing Snafu May Jeopardize Grosch’s Term Limits Effort
This story was reported for Patch on Dec. 23, 2011. The effort to place term limits on a 2012 ballot may be in jeopardy due to a possible error in the filing, Councilman Dave Grosch said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting. Grosch, who led the Term Limits Committee, told Powegians that he resubmitted the petition on Tuesday after certain required… Read more →
2 Poway Officials—City Attorney and Redevelopment Services Director—Resign on Same Day
This story was reported for Patch on Feb. 16, 2011. Lisa Foster, city attorney, and Dena Fuentes, director of redevelopment services, both resigned from their positions Monday. Both women have worked with the city since 2006. Though both resignations coincided, City Manager Penny Riley said they are unrelated and that city business will not be affected. The position held by… Read more →
San Diego Tea Party Protesters Blast Democrats for Golf Fundraiser During Budget Crisis
This story was reported for Patch on Mar. 25, 2011. A group of Tea Party protesters blasted the California Democratic Party on Friday for hosting its annual Pro Tem Cup fundraiser while the state is in economic despair. The protest—which took place outside of Poway’s on Friday —attracted about 20 locals, most of whom are members of the Patriot Coalition… Read more →