Coronado Common Sense

What Happened To The Coronado Common Sense Countdown?

Dear Common Sense Readers . . . 

 

On July 22nd, I wrote you a letter stating that I would end my five-year run as Coronado Common Sense editor/writer. My goal to inform Coronado residents had been accomplished because now there are several sources for news. And so I began the final countdown, starting at 24 . . . 

 

But the countdown froze on the number 21. What happened? The morning of July 25th, I went on a trail ride on a horse that had issues and needed to be worked with. She worked me instead. My ride lasted approximately 30 seconds.

 

The horse reared and then threw her 1200 pounds backwards on top of me, fracturing my pelvis. She then proceeded to roll on me . . . twice. The time I would have spent giving you the last 20 days of Common Sense was spent in Scripps Mercy Trauma and then an assisted care facility . . . total time six weeks.

 

Yesterday marked sixteen weeks (four months) since my horse accident. In that time, I have gone from gurney to wheelchair to walker to cane. My doctor and physical therapist are very happy with me and amazed at my progress. But, I still have more to do to get back to where I started.

 

I apologize that you were cheated out of your last twenty days. I will leave CCS up for a while in case you want to dwelve through the archives. I need to spend my time healing and getting better. I will miss writing this online newspaper and interacting with so many of you. Thank you for your loyal readership. It was a great adventure and I enjoyed having you all along for the ride!

 

Best,

Susan

Letter From The Editor: Count Down

 

My favorite number. Also the number of days until Coronado Common Sense goes silent.

 

On August 23, 2008, I began to publish this little "online newspaper" because I felt that there was not adequate coverage of what was going on in Coronado. At first I wrote seven days a week, and later dropped it to five days a week with a minimum of three items a day.

 

August 23rd will mark five years of writing . . . nearly 5,000 published items. And in that five years, things have changed. There is finally news about Coronado out there now.

 

So, with that said,  I feel that I have accomplished my goal and it is time to fulfill some other goals that I have. That two to five hours I spend a night researching stories can now be spent on a book my kids have been asking me to write and allows more time for me to enjoy my new hobby of oil painting. And then there are those four horses whinnying my name!

 

So I hope that you have enjoyed the ride and will continue to do so for the last 24 days of Coronado Common Sense. Your readership has been greatly appreciated.

 

Susan Heavilin

Editorial: Coronado Unified School District Hierarchy

 

The Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) received approval for funding amounting to a total of $330,590 at the 2013-2014 budget workshop held during the May 21st Coronado City Council Meeting.  That is in addition to the monies they already receive from Sacramento, Coronado resident property taxes, Transient Occupancy Tax (visitor tax on hotels) and the Coronado Schools Foundation. The District appears to be heavy on the adminstration side.

 

Here is an organizational chart of the Coronado Unified School District (CUSD) for this school year.

 

[Click on image to enlarge for readability]

 

By the time the money drizzles down from the top to the bottom, there isn't much money to pay teachers and provide for classroom/student supplies.

 

There are five schools in the Coronado Unified District: Coronado High School, Palm Academy, Coronado Middle School, Village Elementary and Strand Elementary. Of course, principals are necessary at each school but I was surprised to see the high school had two assistant principals, the middle school one, and the two elementary schools shared an assistant principal. That expense could be greatly reduced with the use of "head teachers", seasoned teachers who are paid a stipend to assist the principal whenever needed while still teaching his/her class(es). This one move could eliminate three of those positions, leaving one assistant principal at the high school, and freeing up funds for the classrooms.

 

Nineteen positions exist under Superintendent Felix and his two assistant superintendents. Assuming those are full-time positions, that's a lot of cash flow that's not getting down into the classrooms to help teach the students. One assistant superintendent and easily nine or ten (about half) of those positions could be removed, and the remaining administrative staff could be redirected to double up on duties.

 

It's my opinion that the money should be going to educate students and not to pay the salaries of an overly abundant administrative machine. The head teacher strategy was very effective in many of the schools I taught in and kept administrative expenses low. Another district I taught in put the administrators in the classroom when a substitute teacher was needed, keeping them in touch with what goes on in an average classroom. I think these are both good programs that could be utilized in CUSD to cut administrative costs and get the focus back on teaching and the students.

 

Do you have an opinion to share or ideas on how to cut the school budget?

The Mystery Of The Unstolen Bike

Nearly every week, the Coronado Police Department blotter has reports of numerous bike thefts.

 

But this cute little bike has been hanging out on a speed limit sign adjacent to the Coronado Golf Course. It's been there close to three weeks and says "hi" every time I pass by on my way out of town. I finally decided to stop and take its photo.

 

 

So why are bikes stolen out of open garages and backyards and busy sidewalks all the time while this little bike sits all alone, away from the herd and unprotected? Maybe someone just leaves the bike there for twenty minutes and I happen to drive by in that time slot. But I rather doubt it.

 

The most noticable thing to me about this bike is that it is PINK. Not a muted pink like puce or rose, but a screaming, in-your-face Pepto-Bismol® PINK. Maybe they leave it alone because it reminds them of the last time that they had the stomach flu and had to ingest gallons of P-B to calm their ballistic belly. Or the time they drank P-B to counteract that other stuff they drank.

 

Another fact that has not escaped me is that it is a man's bike. It has a high bar between the handlebars and the seat. Speaking of that, maybe someone could explain to me a lifelong question. It is less painful for a boy to slip and fall on that bar than it is for a little girl? Because it seems to me that it wouldn't feel any better if you were a boy. But I digress . . . 

 

Maybe a "man" is too macho to ride a P-B pink bike. Not that I'm profiling but I have a theory that most bike theives are male rather than female. But I have no hardcore proof on that theory. Not that a thief keeps the bike for themself but most likely sells it as soon as possible. Is there a big market out there was a man's pink bike?

 

So—all you sleuths out there—humor me. Tell me what you think the story behind this mystery, un-coveted bike is and why it remains untouched.

Letter From The Editor: Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs

 

 

I don't know about you but it seemed that this past national election went on longer than any previous election. I was so sick of politics that I could barely turn on the television set and often did not. And worse, it seems that the American citizens who used to be pretty much down the middle had split into "left" and "right" teams and the marked polarity of their political positions was vast.

 

So, after the election, I was wondering what the difference was between these two entirely different views. I "googled" conservative vs liberal and found an article written originally in 2005 by Student News Daily and revised in 2010. The website where the article appears states that StudentNewsDaily.com is a non-profit current events website for high school students. The article begins:

 

"We all want the same things in life.  We want freedom; we want the chance for prosperity; we want as few people suffering as possible; we want healthy children; we want to have crime-free streets.  The argument is how to achieve them…"

 

The article then proceeds to go into great detail on how each party thinks about the following issues (in alphabetical order): abortion, affirmative action, death penalty, economy, education (vouchers and charter schools), embryonic stem cell research, energy, euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide, global warming and climate change, gun control, healthcare, homeland security, immigration, private property, religion and government, same-sex marriage, social security, taxes, United Nations, war on terror/terrorism, and welfare. 

 

I thought it was very interesting. If you want to see how Student News Daily defines the beliefs of the left and right, then read "Conservative vs. Liberal Beliefs".

Letter From The Editor: Correction Of City Manager's Email Address

 

Dear Readers . . .

Several of you have written Coronado Common Sense that the email provided for City Manager Blair King (citymgr@coronado.ca.us) may not be good. Though this is the email provided on the City's website, apparently it is not working.

 

The best email to use for Mr. King is bking@coronado.ca.us

 

Yesterday, CCS published a story about the misfortune of Kari McPherson being denied her chance to run for City Council.  Please redirect your emails to Mr. King at the corrected email address, sooner rather than later.

 

We don't seem to get many new faces running for council and often just recycle the same candidates. I don't know Ms. McPherson well but given the circumstances, I think she should be given her chance to run.

 

I have decided to postpone my writing about all running for an office in the November 2012 election until this issue is resolved.

 

Sincerely,

Susan Heavilin

Letter From The Editor: November 6, 2012 Election

 

Dear Common Sense readers —

On November 6, 2012, there will be a national election to vote for the President of the United States. Here in Coronado, we will be voting for a President and also three positions on our Coronado City Council.

 

 

Here is our current Council. Starting from the left and moving to the right, I will identify each Council member and the status of their office. AL OVROM is a Councilmember and has two years left on his current term. CARRIE DOWNEY is a Councilmember who will term out in November. Her Council position is open and will be filled by process of election. CASEY TANAKA will complete one term as Mayor of Coronado in November and is running for a second. BARBARA DENNY is a Councilmember and has two years left on her current term. She is running for the Mayor position. (She originally was elected to finish Councilmember Casey Tanka's term when he was elected Mayor. Following that, she was elected for a regular term as Councilmember.) MIKE WOIWODE has served one term as a Councilmember and will fulfill that duty in November. He is eligible to run for office again.

 

Persons wishing to run for Mayor or one of the two Council positions must be a citizen of the USA, a resident of Coronado and a registered voter in Coronado. Nomination petitions may be picked up at the City Clerk's office and must be filed with the City Clerk’s office before 5:00pm on August 10 (that's a week from today). Prospective candidates must circulate a nomination petition and may obtain a maximum of 30 signatures of resident voters, at least 20 of those must be valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.

 

I'm writing this letter to inform you of the process. After the petitions have been filed with the clerk, I will tell you who is officially running for office and share some of the information on their forms. From mid-August to election time, Common Sense will be sharing information about each candidate with you such as bios, news stories, voting records and whatever else I discover. I won't tell you WHO to vote for but I'm hoping that there will be enough information available on Common Sense to assist you in making your own decisions. For your convenience, all items pertaining to the Coronado election and its candidates may be found in a new category titled "2012 Coronado Election".

 

All candidates are welcome to send letters, articles and information to this paper so that the community may learn more about you.

 

Also remember that there is no fee at this paper to write Letters to the Editor to extol the virtues of your favorite candidates. Please send all those emails to coronadocommonsense@gmail.com.

 

So . . . sit back, enjoy the rest of the Olympics and know that Coronado Common Sense will keep you informed on Coronado candidates as the time until Election Day ticks away.

 

Best,

Susan Heavilin, Editor

Coronado Common Sense

Letter From The Editor: Get A Dose Of Common Sense Daily

 

Many of you have asked me to email you Coronado Common Sense daily posts. The problem with that is there are too many of you!

 

The easiest way for you to receive Common Sense articles daily is to go to the Coronado Common Sense Facebook Account and hit [LIKE]. This will allow you to view them as they are published on your Facebook feed.

 

If you have a Twitter account, you can follow this online newspaper at CoronadoCSense. I "tweet" all the articles as they are published.

 

Thank you for reading Coronado Common Sense.  Your patronage is appreciated!

What's Going On?

 

The Coronado Bridge was closed at 4am this morning but was reopened just a little while ago in both directions. But don't expect to get anywhere quickly. You'll be waiting in traffic lines for some time to cross the bridge and if you decide to head down the Strand, your wait is anticipated to be about 45 minutes until you can merge onto the I-5.

 

If you carpool, this is a great time to chat up your car buddies. If not, a piece of paper will allow you to create a to-do list of all the things you've been trying to get to or maybe a "bucket list" of adventures you'd like to accomplish in this lifetime.

 

Instead of growling about your wait and your tardiness to work, relax. What can your boss say when you have a legitimate excuse? Be grateful for your life and take time to appreciate your own blessings. And be very thankful that it wasn't you standing at the top of the bridge in the cold at 4am.

Coronado Starbucks Wants To Sell Beer And Wine

 

"The Starbucks in Coronado could become the coffee chain’s first store in Southern California to start selling beer and wine."

That was Lori Weisberg's opening sentence in her San Diego Union-Tribune article titled "Coronado Starbucks seeks OK to sell alcohol".

Ms. Weisberg quoted Starbucks spokesman Zack Hutson as saying:

 

“We are excited about potentially bringing wine, beer and an enhanced food menu to our Coronado store,” Hutson said. “Located in the heart of Coronado, this store is ideally situated for the concept. We are hoping to create a new occasion for our customers to visit our Coronado store in the evening or late afternoon in a comfortable and inviting environment that will allow them to connect with the people they care about.”

Really? It's my opinion that we might have a new trend here in Coronado. So many businesses up and down Orange Avenue are applying for liquor licenses. As disappearing businesses close their doors, many have been reopened as drinking establishments. Here's just a few that come to mind:

Marie Callenders . . . . . . Vigilucci's Ristorante

Beach and Diner . . . . . .  Leroy's Kitchen & Lounge

Wendy's . . . . . . . . . . . . . The Tavern

Shoe Store/Hallmark? . . .Wine Styles

Laundromat . . . . . . . . . .  Nicky Rottens (extended)

 

It's difficult to remember what used to be here . . . before. When Coronado was known for rolling up the sidewalks around 9pm. The northern end of Orange Avenue had Mexican Village serving cervesa and now in it's place there's Coronado Brewing Company, Coronado Firehouse Bar & Grill, Sapori's, and Nicky Rottens Bar & Burger Joint serving or applying for a ABC permit. And Little Bar's been there forever-and-a-day.

Other established businesses on Orange Avenue that already serve liquor include Bistro D'Asia, McP's Irish Pub & Grill, Danny's Palm Bar & Grill, Rhinoceros Cafe & Grill, Brigantine, Miguel's Cocina, Tent City (changing to Candela's), Costa Azul Grill & Rotisserie, Village Pizzeria, Primavera Ristorante, La Terrazza Ristorante, Island Pasta and Yummy Sushi. There's even more that I believe are serving but I can't be positive so I have eliminated them from the list.

The Hotel del Coronado offers drinking at 1500 Ocean, Babcock & Storey Bar, Sundeck Bar & Grill and Sheerwater.

You can pick up a six-pack or a bottle at Von's, Central Liquor & Deli, Park Place Liquor & Deli and Coronado Bottle Shop.

So all the businesses I have listed—plus the ones I eliminated—are all located on Orange Avenue. I would be curious what percentage of Orange Avenue businesses sell alcohol.

 

Is Coronado really THAT thirsty to keep all these establishments in business? I think most residents head home after a long day to pop a cold one in front of the TV. So who's going to drink all this liquor? "Build it and they will come." The California ABC (Alcoholic Beverage Control) keeps handling out those permits. And once that particular building has a liquor license, it stays and encourages new owners to get on the liquor train (previously known as the gravy train).

It just seems like a lot of competition to get those drinking patrons into your establishment. I listed over thirty off the top of my head. And Orange Avenue isn't a very long avenue. It seems that Orange Avenue has become top heavy in alcohol sales. Has the city a plan to nip it in the bud if it gets out of control? Will there be more police officers on duty at night to keep the peace and keep people who have had a little too much off the streets?

There's a lot of items in the news about San Diego cities having problems with their nightlife. I hope that Coronado does not become the new drinking destination.