I've been blogging for a week--how am I doing?

I'm excited at the number of people who have come to this site (Google provides numbers but not identities) but disappointed that there have been few comments. I created this site to be a place to "discuss" Escondido not just have a monologue. If you do not want to comment, but would like to email me, the comment spot is the place to do that too. You see every comment comes to me first and then I decide whether to publish it or not. (Obviously that's to keep out nutty, obscene or just plain mean comments.) So if you want to tell me something that you don't want posted as a comment just say that and it will not be posted. So, what do you think? What do you want to discuss? Let's make this a forum and see where it goes.

The Mingei Museum on Grand now $3 or less

If you still haven't been to the Mingei International Museum on Grand and Maple, now is the time to go. Although hours/days have been reduced to 11-4 Thursday, Friday and Saturday, so have prices. Only $3 for adults, $2 for seniors, military, students. Called Nomadic Legacy, it starts with a yurt made of felt and wood--stunning. On the 2nd floor, embroidered robes, jewelry and headdresses. And everything made by hand. Don't miss it! (Click on link to the left for more info.)

Escondido has a great library--and it should be open every day.

I stopped by the library when I was walking home from work and it was busy, busy. With staff laid off and hours cut, everyone is working hard. I hope in the future we can figure out a way to have our libraries--yes both of them--open seven days a week. I buy my magazines & books at the store inside the main branch, rent movies for only 50 cents and have an impressive selection of books to choose from. I also know that for many people it is their only internet access so that can be especially important for people job hunting. I hope we will all go and support the library at the next budget session to make sure it doesn't have to take any more hits. Next to my driver's license, my library card is the most important item in my wallet.

Hummingbirds

We have a fountain that lets water sort of bubble out of the top. Nearby we have a hummingbird feeder. Well, it has become the sip and dip spot for the neighborhood hummingbirds and it is always a treat to watch them from the kitchen window. Once one of those little guys has gotten used to the water flow it becomes a tiny spa, with the bird bobbing in the bubble. Another reason to love Escondido.

We can all help govern Escondido---take the General Plan Survey

Right now, from your computer, you can give your opinion, anonymous if you like, on what is important to you for Escondido's future. It is on the city website at http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/gp-update/survey.html. Let's all do it now and make sure our thoughts are considered.

It won't be long before the city starts considering a new budget--and I will be blogging about it as we go along. If you love Escondido I think it is important to have your voice heard. I will certainly be there when they start discussing what to support and what to cut. If you'd like to get involved, there is a lot of information available at this part of the Escondido city website http://www.ci.escondido.ca.us/government/index.html . (You can also access it through my link to the HOME page of the City of Escondido website.) I have pasted below the latest meeting schedule. If you can't come to a meeting, there are other options. See the city website for full details. 1. Watch it live at 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on Cox Communications Channel 19 (Escondido ONLY). (Re-broadcasts of the meetings are aired on Sunday and Monday nights at 6:00 p.m. on Channel 19.) 2. See it via the Internet through live video streaming through the city website. 3. Meetings are also archived and available for viewing online--I think that happens a few weeks after the meeting.

UPCOMING MEETING SCHEDULE
Date	Day	Time	Meeting Type	Location
April 29	NO MEETING	-	-	-
May 6	WEDNESDAY	4pm & 7pm	City Council	Council Chambers
May 13	WEDNESDAY	1:30 pm	City Facilities Tour	Various
		7:00 pm	Dessert & Dialogue	Mitchell Room
May 20	WEDNESDAY	4pm & 7pm	City Council	Council Chambers

A Morning Walk--Treasure to Trash

I took a walk this morning and got to see and smell a lot of great flowers. There was jasmine climbing a fence, sweet peas doing the same, and roses all over the place--especially at 6th and Broadway.(I forgot to bring along my new phone with camera so will do that tomorrow and post them here.) I also saw, as usual, a lot of trash. Old newspapers, drink cups, a pizza box. It bothers me to see so much yet I'm not sure I want to become the odd lady that wears latex gloves and carries a trash bag. I must admit to picking up a particularly obvious peace of trash now and then--a large jar of mustard was one of them--but I do wish people would clean up their own property. So that's my thought for today on how to show We Love Escondido. Walk around your property and pick up the trash you see, even if it's not yours and it's sitting in the gutter. (Of course, I'm assuming you are not someone who litters because that I just don't understand at all.) And if you happen to see any graffiti in your area, why not call the city at (760) 839-4633. I did last month and it was gone within days. What do you think about the trash problem? Please send along your thoughts.

What we love about Escondido

This is the spot where I hope to have a running list of things people love about Escondido. But rather than just a list of sights, I would like people to talk about particular experiences that have happened once or are a regular part of their day. Here's one of mine. There is a woman who walks her daughter or granddaughter to school during the week. Sometimes she is coming down the street when I go out for the paper. Last week, we came upon one another when I was on my way to work. We have never talked, but we always slow down when we see each other. I say "Buenos dias" with a smile and a nod. She does the same. It always feels good.

Why are people so dismissive of new ideas?

In the paper today, online at nctimes.com, there's a discussion about Councilwoman Diaz's idea to turn the flood control channel and bike path into a river walk. I have to admit I didn't even know there was a bike path. (Back east, I rode for awhile along a bike path of many miles and it was the only time I wasn't scared to be on a bike.) Of course, there are the usual naysayers--you know who you are--but I'm siding with those who say "wow, that could be cool, what would it take to make it happen?" With the huge budget deficits all spending needs to be considered but why the negativity all the time? Too bad some of the city council members are so quick to criticize any idea that isn't theirs. I support those people who come up with ideas, not those who shoot them down.