April Ordonez in San Diego

7am sunrise by Summer Ordoñez

My sister is so talented.

Soixante Sept, fifty07 by April Lynn Ordoñez, & the Red Cross

Help San Diego fire victims by purchasing an original piece of art on a soft cotton shirt. These shirts are limited in quantity. 50 percent of sales benefits the American Red Cross.

Visit fifty07.com to view shirts.

You can also make donations directly on the American Red Cross website.

San Diego Fires - Picture from my co-worker's backyard

Taken this morning...click on picture for a larger image.  I believe she is safe at her mom's house.

San Diego Fires - Donate @ The Rubber Rose

From The Rubber Rose:

"hey loves,

we hope that you, your family and friends are all safe and well tonight.

the city seems to be upside down right now and unfortunately it doesn't look like we're in the clear just yet.

we know that many of our customers and friends have been affected by this, directly or indirectly and we would like to help out in any way we can.

we're also pretty sure that this beautiful and ever growing community around us is looking to do the same.

for that reason and many more, lea and i would like to offer the rubber rose gallery as a gathering center for donations that can later be taken to qualcomm, to goodwill or wherever they are needed most.

donations can be dropped of during our open hours three days this week:

2 pm to 10 pm - tuesday, october 23rd
2 pm to 10 pm - thursday, october 25th

and saturday, october 27th from noon to 5 pm.

below you will find a list of what seems to be needed most at this time -
we will do our best to update it as community needs change.

for those of you out there with trucks - please contact us directly if you can help us haul donations out once we have gathered what we can.

* * *

list 'o stuff needed:

- cat and dog food (canned)
- pet carriers (all sizes)
- blankets, pillows and towels
- Prepared Foods (not homemade, sorry - no love muffins for this round...)
- prepared VEGAN and vegetarian foods - clearly labeled as such!!
- Water
- Tents
- Cots
- Sunscreen
- Canopies for Shade
- games, coloring books, toys, journals and markers, etc. for the kiddos
- unopened boxes of tampons, pads and general toiletries
- books! lots and lots of books!
- magazines, playing cards, etc. - people are gonna get bored!

and last but not least - cash. it's not as fun as running around looking for crayons and kitten food - but it's the best way to pay for all of the extra needs people will have at this time.

we will keep you posted on how much is gathered and wish to thank you in advance for your help!"

Pink Party San Diego

If you're looking to have fun and help a good cause, check out the Pink Party!

Saturday, November 17, 2007
Doors open at 4:00pm
Late Night doors open at 11:00pm

Tickets may be purchased in advance and securely on-line through PayPal or directly through a Pink Party Representative.

$60 The Pink Party Event ticket :: pre-pay
This ticket will allow entrance to the entire event from open to close. Your ticket stub is your receipt. Your ticket(s) can be mailed or held at Will Call for pickup with valid photo ID the night of the event starting at 4pm.

$25 The Pink Party After 11pm ticket :: pre-pay
This ticket will only allow entrance to the event after 11pm. Your ticket stub is your receipt. Your ticket(s) can be mailed or held at Will Call for pickup with valid photo ID the night of the event starting at 4pm.

Help San Diego

Here are some websites to help your friends in San Diego during this fiery, disastrous time:

• The San Diego Foundation
• The American Red Cross

San Diego on Fire

I've been evacuated from my Scripps Ranch home but am safe and sound at my aunt's house.

Please stay safe, San Diego! 

Tapped Out: San Diego's Water Future

I was listening to NPR this morning (I find myself listening to this station and K Earth 101 more because of all the overplayed poop on many of the other stations) and heard about this program that airs tonight at 8 pm on PBS:
Tapped Out: San Diego's Water Future

The future of San Diego’s water supply – and with it, the future of San Diego itself – is increasingly uncertain. As drought grips the West, our region can no longer rely upon the kindness of strangers to provide us with our most vital resource. Can we conserve our way to a brighter future? Can we continue to allow our population to grow? Can new sources and new techniques give us relief? Gloria Penner hosts an exploration of the problems and the solutions.

It was interesting to hear bits about the history of the San Diego River, Mission Gorge, the Hortons, and Colonel Ed Fletcher.  I'm curious to see what's going on with our water supply.

Air: Thursday, October 18, 8:00 pm on KPBS Future Airs: 10/20 1:59am on KPBS; 10/21 12:00am on KPBS; 10/21 11:00pm on KPBS; 10/20 1:59am on KPBSHD; 10/21 12:00am on KPBSHD; 10/21 10:59pm on KPBSHD   

Blog Action Day!

I drove my Honda Civic Hybrid across the country and back. 
I recycle.
I buy locally-grown produce at the Hillcrest Farmer's Market on Sundays.
I use energy-efficient bulbs.
I turn the lights off.
I turn the water off.
I do my laundry after 7pm.
I only wash my clothes in cold water.
I unplug.
I buy recycled products.
I read Treehugger religiously.
I spread the word.
What do you do?

Urban Solace

I love comfort.  I love food.  I love comfort food, so it's no surprise that I love Urban Solace , a tasty new addition to North Park's Restaurant Row.  I highly recommend it.  Check out my Yelp review.