UCSD students, workers protest parking costs
Waiving green union flags and a carved pumpkin displaying more than 800 signatures, a crowd of about 55 UCSD students and workers congregated Tuesday, Oct. 31, to protest an increase in cost for parking on campus.
Parking prices for campus workers average $79 per month, and between $59 and $79 per month for students. Those prices have gone up by 15 percent over the last two years, according to Matias Marin, a member of the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union and rally organizer.
Protestors surrounded the office of Gary Matthews, the assistant vice chancellor of Auxiliary and Plant Services, while chanting and holding student and worker solidarity signs.
“Matthews met us outside and said he will be scheduling a meeting with us,” Marin said by phone on Nov. 9. “He said he was very concerned and wanted to meet and find a solution to this.”
Matthews had not contacted the union as of Nov. 9, and members were skeptical whether the university would respond to the demonstration, according to Marin.
“He can say a lot but the question is, will he do it?” Marin said. “I think we are going to have to continue with further action.”
The AFSCME comprises 2,800 campus workers and students in San Diego alone, and represents millions across the nation, according to Marin.
The union does not plan to hold additional rallies or events concerning parking costs until after January 2007.

Busby concedes 50th District race to Bilbray
Although elections came and went on Nov. 7, the race for the 50th Congressional District was not officially over until more than a week later, when Democrat Francine Busby finally conceded.
An e-mail statement released from her campaign headquarters on Nov. 15 congratulates Republican Rep. Brian Bilbray and wishes him and his colleagues the best of luck in serving the 50th District.
After initial election results indicated Bilbray had won, Busby announced that she owed it to her campaign supporters not to concede until all votes were tallied.
Bilbray, who defeated Busby in the June 2006 special election to fill the remainder of Randy “Duke” Cunningham’s term, will serve a two-year seat in Congress, which recently established Democratic majority. Cunningham resigned from his position and was sentenced to eight years and four months in federal prison for accepting $2.4 million in bribes.
Approximately 42,000 absentee and provisional ballots remained uncounted as of Tuesday, Nov. 14, and Bilbray continued to lead Busby by 10 percent of the votes (53 to 43 percent), according to election statistics from the County of San Diego Registrar of Voters.
On her campaign Web site, Busby acknowledged she will not represent the 50th District, but stated she is pleased with the Democrats’ national victories.
Bilbray has not released an official statement accepting re-election and does not plan to, spokesman Kurt Bardella said.
“The Congressman is happy to put the election behind him and is moving ahead to pursue an agenda that will continue to work on illegal immigration,” Bardella said. “He looks forward to working with the new Democratic majority to ensure the needs of the 50th Congressional District are met.”
The 50th Congressional District extends from Carlsbad to La Jolla, and includes Del Mar, Encinitas, Escondido, San Marcos, Solana Beach, Fairbanks Ranch, Lake San Marco and Rancho Santa Fe. Only parts of La Jolla and University City are included in the district.

College volunteers host beach cleanup
Student volunteers from University of San Diego (USD), University of California, San Diego (UCSD), Point Loma Nazarene University (PLNU) and San Diego State University (SDSU) are joining forces for a beach cleanup this Saturday, Nov. 18, at 9:30 a.m.
The volunteers are encouraging more students from San Diego’s universities and colleges to join them at the picnic area south of Belmont Park before the group breaks up to clean different areas of the beach and Mission Bay.
For information, call USD Associated Student President Rhett Buttle, (619) 260-4715.

Baskin-Robbins tests new treat around town
On Saturday, Nov. 18, Baskin-Robbins will take the cake in San Diego with the arrival of a delicious new Fudge Crunch Cake. Continuing the tradition of offering innovative products and adventures in taste, the new Fudge Crunch Cake combines a layer of fudge and chocolate crunchies between layers of vanilla and chocolate ice creams.
As the exclusive test market, San Diego ice cream lovers will be the first to indulge in the new Fudge Crunch Cake at all 31 Baskin-Robbins locations in and around the city, including 7470 La Jolla Blvd., during a special free sampling event from 2 to 5 p.m. For more information, call (858) 459-5353.

Children’s Charity ready for annual Silver Tea
Over the past 23 years, the St. Germaine Children’s Charity has worked to provide resources for abused and neglected children of San Diego County, raising $2 million through fund-raising and donations and $1 million in-kind contributions, such as clothing, shoes, backpacks and trips to SeaWorld. The charity recently changed its name from St. Germaine Auxiliary to the Child Abuse Prevention Foundation.
This year’s 23rd annual Silver Tea, to be held at a La Jolla Shores residence, will take place from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 5, and will help the nonprofit organization raise money necessary to fund grant requests from several organizations, including The Angels Foster Family Agency, The Children’s Initiative and Voices for Children.
“After 23 years, it really starts to add up,” said Paula Taylor, the event chair and an organization member since 1990. “I think we are making an important impact in the community and we would like others to help us. It’s a very nice party, but at the end of the day you have to remember, it’s the kids that will benefit.”
The organization estimates attendance of between 250 and 300 guests at the event, which will include cookies, sandwiches and traditional afternoon tea. An opportunity drawing will be held and crafts from local artisans will be for sale as well.
Admission is $50 per person and paid reservations are due no later than Tuesday, Nov. 28. Arrival times are 1 and 2:30 p.m.
To request an invitation, contact Rita David, (619) 722-1247.

Two-day program aims to help teens feel validated
Shelley Darling and her husband Jitendra co-founded the Center for Core Mastery three years ago in Mill Valley, Calif., and each has taught spiritual and personal growth to teens and adults for close to 10 years.
The two have since relocated to La Jolla, and are preparing to host their second “Teens Matter!” program, which gives youths ages 14 to 19 the chance to learn skills and techniques to help them feel validated, self-assured and comfortable enough to be who they really are.
“These are skills lacking in everyday experiences and ones they won’t necessarily get in school,” Shelley Darling said. “It’s really about how to create choices. I’m a mother of four, and I know that when kids get these skills they are amazing beings and they are successful in their lives.”
Besides teaching teens these skills, it is also important to reinforce that same positive behaviors with parents in order for the program to be a success, according to Shelley Darling.
The couple will hold a presentation for adults and teens to explain the program at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, at the Center for Core Mastery office, 7590 Fay Ave., Suite 515.
For more information, contact the Darlings, (866) 469-7697, or visit www.coremastery.com.