Logan Heights Library hosts the touring monologue “To Cross the Border”
The Logan Heights Branch Library will host the dramatic monologue: “To Cross the Border” on Wednesday, August 1 at 6:30 p.m. The one-hour play sends a message that is both a warning and a call to compassion regarding undocumented immigrants. The monologue will tour through various cities in Southern California from July 30 through August 10.
The one-man performance by Roy Dorantes highlights the plight of illegal immigrants as they cross the border with dreams of finding better lives but instead find a gauntlet of dangers and trouble in the form of double-crossing “polleros” and tough anti-immigrant laws. The production mixes narrative, poetry, parody, choreography and music in order to deliver a powerful message of reflection on the issue of illegal immigration. It has been successfully presented in Mexico, Imperial Valley, San Francisco, and Stockton, California, in schools, cultural centers, conferences and theater festivals.
“The idea for the play came to me around the time when Arizona was about to sign the SB-1070 law and people were getting very emotional about it,” Dorantes said. He first intended to make a simple entertaining play just to educate his immediate friends in Mexicali about the implications of the tough Arizona law and of the many dangers that an illegal immigrant faces. “I did it so that they would be better informed. I didn’t want them to just throw verbal rocks in every direction without having a broader picture of the problem.” Dorantes says that after several showings of the play, many people convinced him that he should offer it to the general public and to the schools. So he ventured out of the little café in Mexicali where the play was born and presented it to a packed house at the prestigious Mexicali Center of the Arts (CEART). “People were coming up and thanking me for the play. Several told me that it was their story that I was telling. At that point it became a work of love and vision for me.”
The Logan Heights Branch Library is located at 567 South 28th Street, San Diego, CA 92113.
The 21st Annual Automobile Heritage Day Car Show in National City
On Sunday, Aug. 5, the 21st annual National City Automobile Heritage Day Car Show will commemorate the iconic brand that started the economy car class more than 80 years ago — the Volkswagen.
Beginning at 8:45 a.m., a parade of vintage and classic cars will wind through the streets of National City before arriving at Kimball Park where they, and hundreds of others, will be on display starting at 10 a.m. The day will conclude at 3 p.m. with a drive-by awards ceremony where first, second and third place winners in each category will be announced.
Auto Heritage Day also will feature live entertainment, food from some of National City’s most popular restaurants, booths of local business and service providers, and a variety of raffle prizes until 4 p.m.
Border Qualilty and River Rescues on Agenda for Agusut 9 Public Meeting
Commissioner Edward Drusina of the United States Section of the International Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC) will attend the next public meeting of the USIBWC Citizens Forum on Thursday, August 9, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at the Tijuana Estuary Meeting Room, 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach, CA 91932. The purpose of the Citizens Forum is to promote the exchange of information between the USIBWC and the community about Commission projects and related activities.
Commissioner Drusina will discuss efforts to improve water quality at the San Diego, CA-Tijuana, BC border. The USIBWC is currently undertaking actions to ensure reliable effluent quality for the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant in San Diego, which treats Mexican wastewater and discharges the effluent offshore into U.S. waters.
In other business, Troy Keach, Lifeguard Sergeant with the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, will discuss the history of the San Diego Lifeguard River Rescue Team, including rescues made in the Tijuana River Valley. He will also talk about the challenges the rescue team faces.
Members of the public who would like more information about the meeting may call 619-662-7600 or e-mail sandra.camacho@ibwc.gov.
Junior World Surf Champion Leila Hurst to speak at event benefitting San Diego-based Global Health Organization
Volunteer group hosting screening of Taylor Steele’s newest surf movie
A local group of PCI (Project Concern International) supporters will host the premier of surf movie director Taylor Steeles Here and Now, August 4 at Birds Surf Shed in San Diego. The fundraising event will generate funds and awareness for PCIs health and humanitarian efforts in San Diego and worldwide. All funds generated will go to PCIs Healthy Start Program which promotes better health for at-risk infants and newborns in the Southern California region. Junior world surf champion Leila Hurst will open the event, and film producer Andy Slipka will host Q&A after the movie.
This unique event is a fun, family-friendly way for people to learn about PCI.
Organizers expect 500 guests for the two screenings, and participants will get to enjoy the movie premier, raffle prizes, an auction with prizes from event sponsors Reef, Hydroflex, Surfing Magazine, and Southwest Airlines. There is a cost of admittance of $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for those 18 and under, people can register online at http://pcisurfevent2012.eventbrite.com/.
Imperial Beach Library Launches English as a Second Language Conversation Cafe
San Diego County Library hosts various Conversation Cafes at branches across the county designed to aid English language learners in refining skills and gaining confidence. The Imperial Beach Library, 810 Imperial Beach Blvd, is launching a Conversation Café on Thursday, August 9. The Café will take place every Thursday at 10 a.m. All English as a Second Language learners are welcome to attend the free Café and practice their skills with learners from around the world.
“Conversational competence is a necessity for new language learners, particularly when living in their non-native country,” said Branch Manager June Engel. “In order to maintain skills and understand the nuances of a language, learners need a forum to practice the language and interact with one another. The Conversation Café provides an opportunity to practice skills and meet new people who are in similar situations.”
Local Television Program Projects Seeks New Producers
Calling all content creators! KPBS is seeking a new local program for television. Submit your ideas for a series on our hometown that embodies the “explorer spirit.”
Submissions will be judged on a number of criteria. KPBS is looking for programs that are uniquely local, appeal to the diverse KPBS audience, and are able to tell a story. The station invites you to take part in public broadcasting excellence. Deadline is August 24, 2012.
KPBS is looking for programs in three basic categories: Lifestyle, Community, and “Big Picture.”
Director of programming John Decker states, “The program must be uniquely local. A sense of place comes from many things: language, food, culture, music, travel, geography, heritage, education, art, science, hobbies, passions, media, etc. How will you define it? And remember to be inclusive. Terms like “unique” and “local” should not mean super-narrow focus for a small audience. We are looking to appeal to a wide audience.”
For more information, please visit kpbs.org/exploresandiego