Coronado Common Sense

Poway Man Strikes It Big In Last Days Of 2011

 

Jessie Ablang turned $19.95 of pennies into a cool $399,862.13. Now that's the best investment I've heard of all year! Photo by Valley View Casino & Hotel.

 

I love upbeat stories so this one caught my eye. This guy is playing the penny slots at Valley View Casinoout in Valley Center, CA.  He's loaded nineteen dollars and ninety five cents worth of pennies into the machine and is down to his last five cents when the machine stops.

 

He thinks the slot machine has broken down. That's when the casino officials inform him that he has won the casino's Colossal Coin jackpot of $399,862.13.

 

The good news is that Jessie Ablang is a man of common sense and will be using the money to pay off his house.

 

The bad news is that the jackpot was paid in pennies. Just kidding.

Coronado Teachers Underpaid, Coronado Superintendent Overpaid

 

In today’s Sacramento Bee, Phillip Reese wrote an attention grabber titled “See how well your school district pays its teachers, superintendent”.  Mr. Reese stated in his article:

 

“The average teacher salary last year was $67,871, a decrease of 0.1 percent from 2010, according to new state figures. The average superintendent salary last year was roughly $159,000, also essentially flat from 2010.”

 

Here is my summation of the data. According to the 2011 school data (updated on 12.29.11), Coronado teachers did not fare as well. The average salary for a Coronado teacher was $62,502 which is a decrease of -4.4% from the previous year’s annual salary of $65,396 (which at this higher rate was still below the norm). The overall teacher payroll is down -8.1%. These are the people responsible for teaching the future leaders of our country.

 

CUSD Superintendent pay is substantially over and above the norm. According to the chart, Superintendent Felix’s pay was $175,000 in 2009 and 2010. This year it dropped to $169,000 but even that lower pay is $10K more than the average superintendent compared to $16K above average in the previous two years.

 

The evidence indicates that the CUSD Superintendent is overpaid compared to the median salary and our teachers are underpaid. This data does not take into consideration the multiple assistant-superintendent salaries paid in Coronado. I doubt that the other districts have as many. Seems that our school district is a little top heavy. Maybe some adjustments should be thoughtfully considered.

 

City Of Coronado Holiday Closures

 

How Would You Like To Find This In Your Yard?

 

Photo by Thor Hakonsen

 

I thought it was a Gila Monster when I first saw the photo, something that you definitely want to stay out of the way of. Turns out to be a Mexican Beaded Lizard which is a close relative of a GM, probably a country cousin.

 

I, personally, would be happy to live my life never meeting either one of these venomous reptiles.This one was found in a Rancho Bernardo yard and is headed to the San Diego Zoo.

 

The County News Center wrote about the finding. Read "Venomous Reptile Identified as Mexican Beaded Lizard" if you'd like to know more.

First Coronado City Council Meeting Of 2012 Canceled

 

2011 Big Bay Parade

 

 

Here are some highlights from yesterday's Big Bay Parade, courtesy of the County News Center.

Meet "Darla"

 

Darla is a 5-year-old female Tuxedo cat.  This adult kitty is loving, attentive and very interested to curl up on your lap. Her passion for love is so deep-seated; she doesn’t care to share the spotlight with another feline.

 

 

And for that privilege, she will be your constant companion.  She's a black and white beauty who is a just looking for someone to love her.  You will be rewarded many times over for offering her a chance to love you in return.

 

 

You can get to know Darla and other furry friends needing homes at the Coronado Animal Care Facility (ACF) located on 1395 First Street, next to the Ferry Landing. Hours of operation are 9am - 4pm, every day but major holidays. All cats and dogs will have had their spay/neuter, current immunizations and microchip upon adoption.  You can find a complete list of adoptable animals on our websites, pawsofcoronado.org and petfinder.com.  For current updates on our animals, please visit our Facebook page for fun pictures and anecdotes, "Live at the ACF".

 

 

Happy New Year from PAWS of Coronado.

 

 

Submitted by Kim Johnson

Newest U-T Publisher Speaks Of Early Days In Coronado

 

I don't know if you happened to catch the Publisher's Commentary that appeared in the San Diego Union-Tribune on Christmas morn. I just ran across it myself online. I felt it was pretty positive and was surprised to find out that this accomplished man had his humble beginning in Coronado:

 

"When I was in my early years of grade school in Coronado, I sold the San Diego Union each morning at the Coronado Ferry building. This was one of my first jobs, and it helped forge my work ethic and sense of responsibility. Never did I imagine, during those early mornings in Coronado, that I would develop the hotels and convention center across the bay or end up as the 10th publisher of The San Diego Union-Tribune.

 

Ever since then, I have come to love our San Diego as the finest city in the greatest country in the world. I give thanks to God for the gift of being able to live in this wonderful city. I would particularly like to thank all of the military and their families who live in San Diego. These many Navy and Marines are the best and brightest. Their sacrifices and efforts to protect our freedom are so very much appreciated, and we are proud and happy they are fellow San Diegans.

 

I pray that ownership of the U-T will provide me the opportunity to support our community, promote the economic strength of the region and improve the lives of all San Diegans.

 

I take the stewardship of San Diego’s primary and most significant media very seriously. We will adhere to the highest standard of journalistic integrity and objectivity. We will do our part to be a positive force in our diverse community as we create a superior newspaper and a complement of digital information sources."

 

Wow. Read "Publisher's Note: A day to count blessings and share happiness" for the entire commentary.

 

Coronado Common Sense wishes San Diego Union-Tribune's Chairman and Publisher Douglas F. Manchester the very best in his new role. It will be interesting to see what changes will be made.

Santa Seen Delivering Gifts Around Coronado

 

 

"Santa was spotted all over town on Christmas — with a little help from the Rotary Club and the Coronado Fire Department.  Parents drop off gifts at the fire department and the helpful Santas deliver them at no cost. This is a 12+ year tradition." —Chris Morrow, CNN iReport

 

"Santa Delivery—Coronado Fire Department Helps Santa"

This Week With Ron's Garage

 

Happy New Year to all of our friends!  The band is busy this week, hope to see you at one of our venues!

 

Wedesday (12/28) RGB Trio will be at McP's Irish Pub (8pm-12am) Gary, Mark Grimm and Mike McMahon (subbing for Ron) will enthrall you with their musical cunning! 

 

Thursday (12/29) Claudio and Ron will be at the Boathouse 1887 (6pm-9pm)...come upstairs and join in on the fun! 

 

Friday (12/30) RGB will be at McP's Irish Pub (9pm-1am) Ron, Claudio, Gary and Rob Gironda will be covering your favorite songs. 

 

Saturday night (12/31) New Year's Eve....the band will be performing at Nicky Rottens Bar and Burger Joint, Coronado!  9pm-1am....come celebrate the coming of 2012 and Nicky's first New Years Eve in Coronado!  Fun to be had by all....I promise! 

 

To all of you, there will be some changes to venues and dates over the new year, I will do my best to keep you all informed!  Hope to see you all soon...have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve.  Please don't drink and drive and use a designated driver (it will make your evening much more pleasant!) 

 

Ron, Claudio, Gary and Phil