By Liz Alper

Photo:  fallen Navy SEAL Charles H. Keating ‘s family participates in a moment of silence before the game on Military Appreciation Sunday.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 22, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres looked for the sweep in game three of the series against the Dodgers.  Kenta Maeda started on the hill for LA against Colin Rea for San Diego.

Update, May 23, 2016: The Padres  issued a new statement indicating their investigation found no evidence of malicious intent, however based on the unintentional mistake and failure of those with oversight to immediately intervene, "we have terminated our relationship with the third-party contractor who was responsible for the error, and taken disciplinary action against our employee who was responsible for the game production...We once again sincerely apologize to members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus, their families and those who came out to support their Pride Night performance. The  Padres organization is proud of our longstanding commitment to inclusion – within both our sport and our community. We deeply regret that a mistake on our part has called this into question, but accept full responsibility.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 22, 2016 (San Diego)—When 100 volunteer members of the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus  took to the field Saturday night to sing the national anthem at the San Diego Padres vs. Dodgers game,  their microphones were inexplicably off . A recording of a woman singing the Star Spangled Banner was played over the loudspeakers instead of the men's voices.   

No announcement or explanation was offered.  Afterwards, the stunned performers were ushered off the field and heckled by baseball fans shouting homophobic taunts including “You sing like a girl,” according to a post on the group’s Facebook page by Bob Lehman, director of the Chorus.

By Shani Shahmoon, Originally published in the New York Observer

http://observer.com/2016/05/jewish-woman-forced-to-hide-from-anti-israel-activists-at-uc-irvine/

Photo by Paula Prizio

May 22, 2016 (Irvine) -- An event hosted by a pro-Israel student group ended abruptly Wednesday night as police were called to protect attendees from an angry mob that had gathered. One student who never made it inside the venue called 9-1-1 as she hid in fear from anti-Israel activists who chased her into a building on the University of California-Irvine campus.

East County News Service

Photo: Sanders Twitter feed

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) -- U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders today toured Friendship Park, a meeting place for separated families between San Diego and Tijuana.

“All of this tells us why we need comprehensive immigration reform,” Sanders said after hearing the stories of families who can only see their loved ones on weekends. “I would hope that the Republicans in Congress understand that we have a very, very broken immigration system and that it must be reformed and that they should in fact work with Democrats to pass comprehensive immigration reform. If not and if I am elected president of the United States, I will use the executive powers that the president has to do that the best that I can.”

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres were riding a momentum wave after last night’s walk-off homer by Melvin Upton Jr.  They were still hungry, though, and looking for a repeat.  Alex Wood started on the mound for Los Angeles against Cesar Vargas for San Diego.

Monday, May 31  is deadline for nonpartisan voters to request a party ballot to vote for a presidential candidate--but lawsuit seeks to extend that to June 7

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2016 (Sacramento) – Only 15% of California’s nonpartisan voters with mail-in ballots have requested a presidential primary ballot.  That means the vast majority won’t be able to vote for president in the June 7^th election--and many are unaware of that restriction.

Now civil rights lawyers have filed suit against California and some counties, claiming the laws are confusing, inconsistent, and amount to disenfranchisement.  If they win, the biggest beneficiary could be Bernie Sanders, the Democratic contender who draws heavy support from independent voters, who account for nearly a quarter of the electorate in California.

Hear our radio interview with Nancy Corran and Jane Via by clicking the orange arrow above.

By Miriam Raftery

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) – You may be surprised to learn that although the Catholic Church officially refuses to allow ordination of women as priests, a reform movement within the church called Roman Catholic Women Priests includes 200 women priests who have already been ordained  by male Catholic bishops. 

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (Descanso) – You’re invited to a Western luau blending traditions of Hawaii and the Old West on Saturday, June 11 from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Chapel of the Hills Community Church, 25153 Viejas Blvd. in Descanso.

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) – The County’s Planning and Development Services Department (PDS) invites citizens to visit its PDS document library, a new tool to provide convenient online public access to the Department’s digital records repository. Using the PDS Document Library’s simple online search interface, you can now find and review content ranging from Environmental Impact Reports to Use Permits without visiting County offices.  

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov) has announced recalls of several climbing devices made by Black Diamond and sold under the brand names Ferrata and Camming due to fall hazards.  Recalls were also announced of bicycles manufactured by Rocky Mountain and by Scott due to brake problems, fall and crash risks. In addition, Klein Tools digital clamp meters were recalled due to shock and burn hazards. For details, click these links:

Image: Aerial over Shell Spill Monday, May 16, 2016. Miles of sheen before even a single skimmer boat is seen. Photo courtesy Dr. Ian MacDonald / Bonny Schumaker

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (San Diego) -- Mark Manning, director of The Road to Fallujah, has been covering the BP Oil Spill for six years. Being immersed in the communities suffering severe health circumstances following that spill and the risky ‘clean-up’ operations using chemical dispersants prompted him to act on the current response to the Shell spill off the Louisiana coast last Thursday.

East County News Service

May 21, 2016 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa’s free family fun “Concerts at Six” series will be held once again in Harry Griffen Park (8550 Milden Street) each Sunday  evening from 6 to 7 p.m.   The season opens June 12 and runs through July 24.

For the season opener, the San Diego Concert Band will perform. Other musical entertainment through the season will include Rhythm and the Method, Jazz West, Sonic Epidemic, Silvermine, and Big Band Ambassadors.  For a full schedule of entertainers, scroll down:

By Monica Zech, City of El Cajon

May 20, 2016 (El Cajon) -- "America on Main Street" is Saturday in Downtown El Cajon - Don't Miss It! Below is a full list of events, recreation news, general information and safety tips from the City of El Cajon.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  the bear from Energy Upgrade CA recognizes Petco Park for its energy efficiency.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

 

May 20, 2016 (San Diego) - The hated Dodgers came to Petco tonight to start a three-game weekend series against the Padres.  Scott Kazmir started on the hill for Los Angeles and Christian Friedrich for San Diego.  This would've been an awkward matchup if Kazmir was still in his glory days with the Tampa Bay Rays.

East County News Service

May 20, 2016 (San Diego) -- Nile Sisters invites you to a celebration of international cultures during World Refugee Awareness Month. The “Sand to Sea” showcase event will be held Saturday, June 18 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Women’s Museum of California.