Gettin' my civic duties on... helpin' otha's ta pikk ups they lil pet poopies...

So I am in the kitchen, the place is only about 2 months inhabited by it's current batch of tenants, a bunch a hooligans, social activists, life's practical has beensz still darin' ta be somebody and in one of the cabinets is a plethora of plastic bags we all eventually accumulate in our consumptionist type of lives. I am a bit perturbed, there is of course a solution and I am yet to decide on the ones available to me as I mull over doing laundry in the rain...

I put this issue to rest and proceed outside to check out the break in the downpour and pass by the area popular for pet owners to walk their dogs. I almost step on a wet pile of...



I look around for the plastic bag dispenser and find that there are no bags...



...unbelievable and to imagine the other piles of steaming dog doo that must be laying around it's contents, bacteria and toxins making it's way in the downpour into the storm drains.



I am on the verge of hurling... of relinquishing the omelet and sausage I had so enjoyably ate this morning, the fine coffee coming up afterwards as if an afterthought and to think I may have had wet dog shit on the bottom of my shoes...

I sense an epiphany as I run back n2 the apartment, retrieve the bags from that darn cabinet that irritated me earlier and replenish the neglected dispensers...



Sometimes there really isn't any glamour in addressing the simple yet necessary things...

So here I AM...

It has been quite awhile since I last wrote uugghh (typed). I think I studied typing numerous times, once even at a reformation school and basically I sukk @ it. Anyhow... I no longer reside in Escondido for 1 as far as the numerous events surrounding my life. I also have lost some pretty Kool Kats, Frank and Beans, of whom I shall wrype about in the near future. I must warn ya though, the story is pretty chessy...:(:) ina sad happy way...

I struggle ta survive off of a dairy guy's salary. DCShoes was good ta me. I regret not having followed up ona few connections there and at a few other scenarios that could have been advantageous for my, as they say, career path, is concerned but what can I say?... the dairy has been good to me as well and I can only hope that I can reciprocate such considerations in kind 1 day.

In the Struggle though I am learning that as a true Scriber of events and consequently, of Life itSelf, 1 can only evolve through experience. Emotions and how one suits them at any given time in their existence can not be learned through text. One can only be a professional life liver for so long before it becomes best to just give in and prey for the best.

So far, the locale has changed, more pleasant fer sho, the company in mo' wayz than one differnet yet the same. I believe though that there is finally a substance to the travails, that in some form er fashion, the resolution is forthcoming although the work shall never be the more for less.

I love the transition, to be simple and direct only complexed by everyone elses' confounded and self-complicated sense of EGO of which I Shall dutifully learn ta rectify myself from...

I wish I could talk about Major Potter in depth especially on a day like today but I just seem ta remember residing in San Miguel whereupon before a considered adoption, I was heralded by a cackle of native squaws as a "No Back" so that I suppose my last name never became Novak... I considered changing my name nevertheless, a thought having pre-occcupied my mind since Semptember 11th. The voices though on the side of here and there, well, no one ever spoke up for my real father and the sides unspoken, existing only half unreal and jus' 'bout nah that much ofa World away... Pray...

Big Toe Jams in Oceanside

Every Thursday between 5 and 9 P.M., for a nice time, friendly breezy atmosphere, tastes of good food, mingling with other hip yet down to Earth people and take part in some pretty good summer band sessions, Oceanside on Tremont and Pierview is where you want to be at.

To Sylvia and Micah of A Taste of Soul “Southern Cuisine for the Heart and Soul” thanks for the bowl of jambalaya and Marty and the ladies at Dad’s New York Dogs…the turkey dog I believe with the Jalapeno spread… tasty! Just remember folks, Marty’s hot dog stand is right there practically on the beach on the Southern side of the Amphitheatre and both their booths are featured by the stage at the intersection of Tremont and Pierview. Oh and right behind A Taste of Soul is the booth with the Guamanian style barbecue... a must to try...

Like I mentioned though... I just can't thank these folks enough for taking care of me on my sustenance while I was running around filming this band. So hey check out the video below although it can be seen in seemingly better quality by clicking on the word HERE.



Oh… and I sure picked one heck of a day to have sound problems but I managed to get some decent footage(s) of the band. As for the interviews I did… sad to say we lost them all for the most part but hey… we got all summer so we can get all resolved soon by just a few re-takes aye…

So this coming Thursday, I hope to see you all out there enjoying the sun, surf and events. Stay tuned for more videos and pictures of all that...

Sorry for all the delays...

I have been so swamped with all the current events that is and about to happen. The past months have been invigoratingly challenging.

I believe for the most part, the City and Public Works is aware clearly of the ongoing issue related to the encampments South of Harmony Grove Road. As can be attested through the many footages I have acquired and that I will soon compile and release, Public Works has been tremendous in the commitments they have exhibited in helping to do their part in resolving these concerns.

The encampments not only hosted many lost and dejected souls but diseases and squalor as well. That was cleared out about 2 and a half months ago with at least 5000 pounds of trash removed from the area some contributed by the transients while most was an accumulation of the trash and debris from the urban sub-shed. On that note, the catchments have been recently and consistently maintained as well thanks to the dedication of Public Works.

As for the vagrants located under the 15 overpass, in these times, it seems as if the number of homeless people in our community has increased. Fortunately with the continued interest amongst private citizens to assure that the public restrooms in Grape Day Park are free of drug activity, that the potential illicit deals that have occurred in the horseshoe area throughout the years does not continue to be a haven for such criminal elements, there are those in the transient community who in times past would have cooperated with said elements in distributing and or consuming such dangerously addictive substances such as Chrystal Methamphetamine onto our streets now think twice in doing so and all through volunteer activism in documenting such activities through photographs and video footages.

I have also been interested in working with some of the innkeepers/ bar operators in the area, especially the Mount Vernon Inn, the Californian, Motel 6, Palm Tree Lodge, and Woody's in helping to report such activities like prostitution and drug transactions they suspect is occurring on their property. I mean seriously, what is the use of building new hotels in the city when we have motels and other businesses that attract and promote activities that lead a particular area into blight.

If these business owners don't do more to assist in promoting an ideal atmosphere for the City that is orientated in Public Safety so that we can move forward in bringing a more positive light to how Escondido is perceived, I believe we should develop ordinances or put forth enhancements that allows for the City to go after these type of operators vigorously. We as a community should NEVER HAVE TO TOLERATE PROSTITUTION AND OR ILLICIT DRUG ACTIVITIES.

For the most part though, many people are receptive and open to being more conscience of the concerns, being more active in voicing their stance on what is good for this community. Escondido is very unique in it's heritage and culture as well as it's diversity. We should celebrate this City for the positive manner in which we can co-exist and work at resolving our differences. Their is a lot of potential for us to recognize and exhibit the character and flavour that uniqueness provides to and for us.

Regardless of creed, colour and or social economic status, we can come together and amongst us and as a result of our commitment and cooperation, our children can develop into accomplished musicians, graffiti artists, teachers, nurses, athletes, restaurateurs, social workers, etc...

It starts now and not just as another seeming novelty of civic duty and responsibility but as a true and sustainable approach in recognizing that we as a community can not tolerate a continued oblivious state of mind when it comes to the environment especially in relation to the city's flood control channel. That the bike/path that runs beside it and throughout the city can be critical in having a huge impact on the bringing forth the many different elements together so that we can therefore attract events, marathons and benefit marches like a 5K run that can be held in memory of Sgt. Geoff Galindo , a very well liked officer in the department who died unexpectedly in November of last year.


He is best described as "a native of Escondido who was
committed to our community and the profession of law of
enforcement... one who spent many hours mentoring the youth."

The many events around town...

Downtown Escondido Chalk Art Festival on May 9th.




Cruizin' on Grand!




Who's this G.U.Y.?




Care to cruise Grand in this? Might be a bit much...




Future Rockstars performing on the corner of Kalmia and Grand.






Escondido High School Re-Union at Grape Day Park...






Escondido Street Fair...

Rescuing Marcus Claudius

I first became alarmed at the welfare of the inhabitants in the encampments adjacent to the Green Tree Mobile Home Estates at around 7 in the morning of December 15, 2008.

According to various weather sources, there was a substantial winter storm wreaking havoc throughout San Diego County with record low temperatures and considerable precipitation events during the day. By 9:30 a.m., they were forced to evacuate through a makeshift bridge they had fashioned from a felled tree... all except for one, a 49 year old transient named Marcus Claudius.

The water was rising fast and I knew the terrain around his area in the encampment was basically being surrounded by a swift moving, cold, dank wall of muddy water. What use to be a trail leading up to his lonely island is under at least 10 feet of water and a few trees nearby would possibly be strong enough to cling to.

I can pick up his voice in the howling wind. He sounds exhausted, possibly intoxicated, a slight quiver I can barely detect in his pronunciations tells me he might be suffering from being exposed to such conditions. He tells me to leave him be that he is fine but I can't leave that sort of assessment to someone inebriated and incapable to a dangerous degree of processing his current situation.

I called a Escondido Community Officer and requested someone to respond to the scene. After some quick evaluations of the challenges at hand, it was determined that a variety of assets needed to be involved in what would eventually turn out to be swift river rescue.

Ironically, although it is one of the city's most prominent and least endearing features, we have not seemingly considered having this type of training facility in an area along the flood control channel.

Nevertheless, Escondido Fire, Elfin Forest, Encinitas, San Diego, Carlsbad, Del Mar with some of these agencies contributing both fire and lifeguard personnel coordinated at times from the air from an asset provided by San Diego Fire rescued the man in about 4 hours.

Led from his last vestige of dignity and personal space, having clutched desperately to the root(s) within the soil now mounds awash and shifting below and around him. The small encirclement of young trees slightly on higher ground a residence once gathered together from a tent, some tarp and a collection of scavenged items to somehow patch the quilt work of final desperation and surrender to alcoholism together. It seemed that great Claudius was willing to succumb to his life's sufferings here amongst the cold wet wrath, lonely, dirty, drunk, shivering and starving. physically. psychologically. financially. emotionally. Exhausted in so many ways...

It is the King's horses and men in the guise of firemen and lifeguards who lead him to his carriage... a raft accompanied by an entourage set forth to pluck him from his desolations. He is draped in his finery, a sleeping bag set carefully and gingerly upon his shoulders. He chews his gum casually as if to ward off his close encounter with death with a breath of his freshened and recently rescued air.

We could have spent the money exhausted in the rescue on other projects such as a vigorous policing through ordinance improvements of current laws related to vagrancy, loitering, public intoxication, vandalism to say the least.

We may have, in the interest of social concerns and how to adequately address the concerns of grown ups who somehow have lost their ability to function, spent some of the money on facilitating a ranch/ farm diversion program that houses recovering alcoholics. Their manpower can be utilized to help care for injured animals, to farm the land in producing vegetables, food staples and other acquired processes that can render the establishment self sufficient.

Just one idea amongst a host that I have an interest in putting forth and discussing the feasibility thereof. I hope I am joined by many more in the time to come who also share my interest in re-establishing a sense of pioneerism in seeking to promote solutions that are more oriented in practicality as opposed to politics.

We can little and ill afford to continue along a same track that allowed for the rescue to be necessary in the first place and so before we tackle what seems to be the bigger problems, maybe we would be best served in simply mending the hole in a fence that has done little in keeping trouble out. I suppose we can begin with that...

The Sprinter to Ruby's

Another added benefit of having the bike path maintained, improved and set as a central theme to this city's revitalization is the efficient, relative ease and environmentally friendly mode of transportation one can employ in reaching destinations such as Ruby's at the tip of Oceanside Pier.

Now we didn't film actually eating there, not this time anyways... the day was so gorgeous and practically in mid-November that I turned the recorder off and ate my burger and onion rings washed down refreshingly with a cold dose of ice tea minus the lemon thank you...

The ride on the Sprinter isn't uncomfortable. I noticed around the campus areas where High Schools and Colleges were in proximity that students are a good portion of the segments in the community utilizing this type of transportation. Coupled with the use of bikes and or scooters, it is a reliable, inexpensive, and practical method of getting to the beaches this summer... to say the least:)

The voice in the video besides me is "D"... he was having fun since he has been a big fan of trains forever. He took most of the footages too with me just doing the editing.

There were a lot of good surfing going on and hopefully this summer since I have acquired POV , I hope to film some pretty good sequences some maybe in the ocean.

Also there is a (request for a) proposal in the works to re-vitalize the Oceanside Amphitheatre in the hopes that it can be developed as a legitimate venue for musical performances. If you ask Lenny Williams, I would say that he would venture to opine that in it's current state, it was a beautiful place to perform as he did so at the Father's Day Concert last summer.



Could you imagine a North County Battle of the Bands with several local cities such as Escondido, Vista, San Marcos and Oceanside involved with it all culminating at the Amphitheatre and everyone would be able to attend the events by using the Sprinter? And yeah the music in the video is Donald Fagan's " New Frontier"... hope he doesn't mind... I just thought it seemed appropriate to the ideas we are embarking on in getting the North County some positive exposure and it sounded good with "D's" narration.



So I look forward to, along with all my friends, in getting to the beach to film some surfing this summer via the Sprinter. Oh and for sure we will re-visit Ruby's and definitely give you a close up view of how to take down one of their outstanding burgers...

A Sack Full of Balls...

Escondido Public Works has expressed an interest in responding to the concerns. I can not yet give the name of the specific person since I have not spoken to anyone in that department besides over the phone yet it seems promising. They have been very thankful in the involvement and concerns we have presented and although this does tend to be a long term project given all the dynamics, what matters the most is that the trash that has been gathered and bagged will hopefully be picked by the end of the week.

Kudos then to everyone... the transients who want to do their part in dispelling the notion that they are the primary reason for the pollution, the community who monitors the progress of this project and the city departments who want to work together in resolving this problem.

I know there will continue to be differences in how to best approach the many facets related to the issues yet I remain confident that the new year will bring a refreshing and re-invigorated attitude to the ongoing problems Escondido faces. I hope that in such a spirit, we can somehow become a model city in addressing such issues as the environment, the homeless, the gangs and the drugs and all possibly because of the emphasis we all bring in rejuvenating the creek that runs through all of our very lives.

In the accompanying video below, it is an update then from the footages taken during Thanksgiving weekend. I am glad that it is possible I would not have to follow through on my intent to haul the trash up to the maintenance road although Island Suns will most definitely attempt to be there when it is collected to assist and to document that work that we as a community can achieve TOGETHER.

We started off at about 11 in the morning, checked on the status of the debris in the creek/ flood control channel, grabbed a few shakes (and a shot of wheatgrass... yuuuckk! although healthy), topped it off with a nice work-out at 24 Hour Fitness and getting back by 3.