As explained in this space on Friday by Councilmember Carl DeMaio, one of only two doughty alderman to oppose the measure, city officials want to impose a five-year, $500 million tax increase on San Diegans without offering any accountability as to how the money will be spent or whether any fiscal reforms of substance will accompany it.

In DeMaio’s words, we should “expect increased tax revenues to be diverted to the city’s financially-troubled pension system rather than to restore city services.”

Plus, the fictive reforms promised by the politicians add up essentially to nothing, as taxpayer subsidies for pension costs will remain in place, while managed competition wouldn’t come any closer to becoming a reality.

Former U-T editor and current News Room contributor Bob Kittle characterizes the proposed reforms as mere “window dressing” and claims they’ll “have a negligible impact on the city’s fiscal crisis because they do not address the core problem, which is the pension plans.”

                                        

I recently took a vacation to Portland, Oregon; I traded my usual seaside runs for mountain trails. While on a rather secluded jog with a girlfriend of mine, we talked about running alone back in our hometowns: I in San Diego and she in San Francisco. She has very few reservations about running alone; however, after I explained recent attacks and tragedies in our county, she suddenly understood my paranoia. I concluded the conversation by saying that when I do run alone, I go when the sun is up and in high traffic areas where many people are around.

Ironically, when I came back to San Diego a few days after that conversation, I learned that a female jogger in South Park was attacked in broad daylight. She did everything right to discourage a man she suspected of following her, yet he still assaulted her. Because it was during the day, people were around to hear her cry out and came to her rescue; however, the man escaped.

It never hurts to be reminded about runner safety-- and since there is an un-captured attacker on the loose-- today is that reminder.  While men may need to be reminded of some of these things, let’s be honest … they can pretty much run wherever and whenever they want and not worry about being stolen by some pervo.

                                        

The décor was inviting: High ceilings with unique lighting fixtures created a welcoming ambiance perfect whether it’s a night on the town with friends or a romantic dinner with your sweetie. The restaurant itself boasted a large bar, several tables for dining, and quiet cozy booths.

Our sever Jen quickly greeted us and offered extensive knowledge about the menu, the chef, and the restaurant itself. Chef Christian Graves gets all of his fresh ingredients from Susie’s Farm (a local farm) and customs his menu according to the freshest ingredients of the season. Jsix bakes its bread onsite and makes its very own olive oil, meats and cheeses. They even grow their own herbs on the roof (which is where they banish patrons who indulge in too many adult beverages)!

To begin, we each chose a signature cocktail. My virgin peach Bellini-Tini consisted of fresh peach puree and freshly squeezed lemon-lime juices in a lightly sugared martini glass--a perfect palette (or in my case—beak) cleanser before dinner. Benny’s Basil Lavender Lemon Drop with grey goose, lemon basil lavender syrup, and lavender sugar rim was by far one of the most unique cocktails either had ever experienced. The intense flavor of the basil, the slightly sour of the lemon, and the not overly sweet lavender syrup combined together nicely for a refreshing beverage. Absolutment marveilleux!

                                        

The aerospace industry in California fared relatively well when compared to the overall manufacturing sector according to a recent study by the Northern California Center of Excellence and the Center for Applied Competitive Technologies at Cerritos College.  Between 2004 and 2008, the aerospace industry added over 5,500 jobs, but then experienced a sharp decline in 2009 with the loss of nearly 14,500 jobs over the previous year.  Between 2004 and 2009, the aerospace industry declined only 5 percent compared to 12 percent for the overall manufacturing sector.

California is responsible for about 25 percent of the aerospace industry in the U. S. Besides the strong supplier presence, California has more NASA centers than any other state and has a higher education system that provides a pipeline of skilled workers.  The clustering of aerospace supplier industries promotes knowledge transfer and innovation, reduces operating expenditures, and attracts new aerospace businesses to the state.  There are also four air force bases that support research, design, and testing of commercial and military aerospace systems (Edwards, Vandenberg, Los Angeles, and Air Force Plant 42.)

A few large firms, such as Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin, which produce aircraft for the military and private organizations, dominate the aerospace industry. These large firms subcontract with smaller suppliers to manufacture or design parts for the aircraft systems. The aerospace industry is comprised of the following industry groups: