News and interviews focusing on East County but also including issues and concerns in the wider San Diego area as well as nationally. Host Miriam Raftery is an award-winning investigative journalist and the editor of East County Magazine.
Overnight rain (aka Pending storm)
Pre-Election
Glitter on the patio
silty gold washed from a red tile roof
sticks to terracotta squares
already stained from fallen fig juice.
With stiff black bristles, sweep sweep back forth
to make a small mound, tempting to the dog,
into a dustpan shiny-as a holiday platter.
Disaster averted, two and four feet cheated,
no tell-tale signs on the impulsive purchase of a white area rug,
freshly shampooed.
Glitter shimmer shakes the leaves, coats neon green jade plants,
swims in a bird bath, on the heads of pottery frogs on the short wall.
Nothing changes but the weather, I groan, mouthing an old cliché,
and consider one more:
Older than the hills.
I fell for Be the Change and Si se Puede back then.
It’s the day before the day all votes will be collected,
like hopeful blue glitter, to rain down
while I dream, not hearing the dark rain outside.
–Sue Taylor
Susan Taylor is the host of The Electric Picnic, a show about Poetry, Prose, and Spoken Word heard Mondays 8-9am, Wednesdays 3-4pm and Saturdays 7-8pm
A wife, mother, and six-time grandmother., Susan loves living in a diverse and friendly neighborhood in San Diego, and can be seen walking her dog Duffy to coffee shops and happy hours.. Susan writes poems and short stories, tutors English, and is an avid volunteer with social justice organizations. She is the author of The Electric Picnic: Poetry For Nice People And Good Dogs. Her poems can also be found on haikuuniverse.com, thepoetryhighway.com, and in the San Diego Anthology of Poetry, and Verbatim Bookstore. Susan has also been selected for inclusion in A Year in Ink, Volume 17, 2024.
Susan’s guest is author and humorist
ALEX BOSWORTH
Curiosity is the Key
Susan and Alex talk about observing life through a different lens. Instead of thinking of stories in the same old way, what if you imagine what might have happened if well-known stories you’ve heard all your life were told by another character?
THE ELECTRIC PICNIC WITH SUSAN TAYLOR AND HER SPECIAL GUEST, WELL KNOWN STORYTELLER DAVID SCHMIDT
Susan is in conversation with guest David Schmidt who talks about tha mysterious area not too far from where you, YES YOU, live–Proctor Valley. David will tell you that not every city is lucky enough to have its own monster; Chula Vista, meanwhile, has the distinct honor of being home to a unique legendary creature: the “Proctor Valley Monster.” The rural wilderness east of town has inspired a broad range of haunting, supernatural legends, told by several generations of Chula Vista residents. This Halloween season, throughout September and October, various professional storytellers have been performing these eerie, mysterious tales.
As a wrap-up to Halloween, The Electric Picnic repeats Susan’s conversation with David and his haunting stories.
Mike’s guests are candidates Oday Yousif and Kim Hales.
And topping off the hour we celebrate the upcoming 25th Anniversary party for ASD, our parent organization. Go to our website KNSJ.org or ActivistSanDiego.org for ticket information. Entertainment, music, meet our show hosts, and celebrated Keynote Speaker. Help us celebrate.
knsj.org activistsandiego.org
Dr. Constance Carroll: The incredible impact of community colleges
In this episode, Dr. Constance Carroll, president and CEO of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association (CCCBA), joins host Grant Oliphant to share her extraordinary journey in the realm of higher education and her lasting impact on the San Diego community. From her early days as the youngest black woman college president in the United States to her pivotal role in expanding community college baccalaureate programs, Constance’s story is one of resilience, vision, and unwavering dedication to student success.
The conversation delves into Constance’s influential work as head of the California Community College Baccalaureate Association, highlighting the significance of affordable education and workforce development in today’s economy. Her efforts have led to the expansion of bachelor’s degree programs across California’s community colleges, providing vital pathways for students and meeting critical workforce needs.
StopAndTalkPodcast.org
IS IT PROTECTION OR GENOCEDE BY ISRAEL — Debunking the Myths of the Palestinian Conflict. Part 2
Conversations you will not hear on mainstream media. Host Patricia Law and her guests delve into the history and reality of the attacks on Palestine. What is future of the conflict and can it be resolved? Listen and learn about the conflict.
– Coordinated by Reem Assaf: Palestinian American Activist volunteering with Jews voice for Peace – JVP is the largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization in the world, it’s a grassroots, multiracial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of U.S. Jews into solidarity with Palestinian freedom struggle.
– Guest and Speaker of the show is Farid Abdel-Nour is Professor of Political Science at San Diego State University where has been on the faculty since 2000. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J. His research and teaching are in the areas of Political Theory and Middle East politics. He helped found SDSU’s Center for Islamic and Arabic Studies which he directed for many years, and in which he continues to be an active member. His publications have appeared in some of the most prestigious journals of his field, including The Journal of Politics, Political Theory, Philosophy and Social Criticism, Political Research Quarterly, History of Political Thought, and Contemporary Arab Political Affairs among others.
Omar Blaik: Downtowns Should be for Everyone
In this episode of Stop & Talk, host Grant Oliphant sits down with visionary urban planner Omar Blaik, CEO of U3 Advisors, to explore the future of downtown spaces and their potential to serve all community members. Drawing from his extensive experience revitalizing cities like Philadelphia, Omar discusses the role of thoughtful design in fostering connection, empathy, and vibrancy in urban environments.
Sue Taylor’s guest today is author and storyteller DAVID SCHMIDT
Ghost stories abound at this time of the year and David reveals secrets about the Proctor Valley Monster who can be seen lurking right here close to where YOU live.
Ghostly hitchhikers and ephemeral specters
Strange lights in the sky
Dark magic, witchcraft, an evil presence
Madness and mass murder.
Ah, yes, right here. David will tell you that not every city is lucky enough to have its own monster; Chula Vista, meanwhile, has the distinct honor of being home to a unique legendary creature: the “Proctor Valley Monster.” The rural wilderness east of town has inspired a broad range of haunting, supernatural legends, told by several generations of Chula Vista residents. This Halloween season, throughout September and October, come and hear various professional storytellers performing these eerie, mysterious tales.
The spooky legends of Proctor Valley Road include “the monster,” a large, hairy, Bigfoot-type creature that is said to roam the wilderness, as well as other local tales of vanishing hitchhikers, ghostly apparitions, strange nighttime lights and UFOs, a “ghost car,” and other supernatural tales.
DATES OF PUBLIC EVENTS. 10/22 5:00 PM Otay Ranch Library * 10-30 6:00 PM South Chula Vista Library Spanish language * 11-9 Time TBA Bonita Museum * 11-14 1:10 pm Town Square Reminiscence Therapy Day Center