While we plan to meet in different areas of the county this year, including a stop in Lemon Grove this spring, we were pleased to be joined by guests, attendees, and members from the Carlsbad-Oceanside (DEMCCO) and Fallbrook clubs at the La Jolla Village Community Room this month.
Nicole Capretz, executive director of the newly-launched Climate Action Campaign, was our featured speaker and special guest. A specialist on the city of San Diego's proposed Climate Action Plan, Nicole was featured in a San Diego City Beat article earlier this month, and previously worked at City Hall for now-former councilman Ed Harris, and as director of environmental policy to Todd Gloria when the councilman served as interim mayor. Nicole has also worked for the Environmental Health Coalition.
A Nickolay Lamb blog entry detailing the poor location of the San Diego Convention Center, which will only become more soggy as time goes on.
We were also pleased to welcome Sarah Boot, a U.S. attorney and familiar face to San Diego Democrats, who is back on the campaign trail in a 2016 race.
Sarah spoke about her new campaign for the California State Assembly in AD-78 and support from Speaker Toni Atkins, including her outdoor recreation choices and vision of utilizing parks and open space as a component of ensuring enviornmental justice, similar to what President Obama recently voiced at the declaration of the new San Gabriel Mountains National Monument above Los Angeles.
Tommy added several quick updates on threats to the Antiquties Act, related news about the need for President Obama to veto the Keystone XL pipeline, the urgent need to renew the Land and Water Conservation Fund before its expiration later this year, and how our club should provide local support for President Obama's push to establish Wilderness protections for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Photos by Sarah Boot, Nicole Capretz, Kathleen Connell, Tommy Hough, and Gary Meade