San Diego hospital sends medical supplies to Ukraine

Good Morning, I’m Annica Colbert….it’s Friday, April 8th,>>>>

Palomar health sends supplies to Ukraine
More on that next. But first... let’s do the headlines….######

One more warm day before cooler weather arrives this weekend. The heat advisory that’s been in effect for San Diego county’s coastal areas and valleys expires tonight at 6pm. The heat is expected to peak today with temps in the triple digits in some areas. Cooler weather is in store for the weekend, with a chance of rain and even mountain snow early next week.

########

California’s actions to address climate change predominantly favor white neighborhoods across the state. That’s according to a new study published Thursday by UC San Diego. The study found that Asian and Hispanic communities experience significantly more air pollution, and California’s environmental regulations as a whole protect white, non-hispanic people the most.

#########

After two years, the pedwest crossing in San Ysidro has reopened… but only for those coming into the u-s from Ukraine.

Customs and border protection says it’s making accommodations for humanitarian reasons.

As Ukrainians step onto American soil, they’re welcomed with a hug from a volunteer.

Encinitas resident Maria Fishov is one of those volunteers.

“ i think that’s about just people welcoming people to a brighter future and i think that’s wonderful.”

There are currently over 1000 ukrainians waiting at an expanded shelter in tijuana.

#########

From KPBS, you’re listening to San Diego News Now.
Stay with me for more of the local news you need.

Amidst the Russian invasion of Ukraine, medical support is needed.

KPBS North County reporter Tania Thorne tells us how a local hospital is helping.

Escondido’s Palomar Health is stepping up to help healthcare workers treat people in Ukraine.

Palomar Health is working with the US Embassy to identify which Ukrainian hospitals are operational and in need of medical supplies.

They are donating unused inventory to SSUBI, a San Diego nonprofit that fulfills international medical missions.

Nelly Bulkin is helping with the initiative and says they hope to go beyond sending supplies.

Her husband is a doctor with Palomar Health and was born in Ukraine.

“The last phase of our plan is to send out a team of physicians headed by my husband Dr Bulkin but at this point the situation is so volatile. I hope and I pray that within the next few weeks or months we can send personnel there.”

Those looking to contribute to Palomar Health and SSUBI’s mission in Ukraine can donate on Palomar’s website under “Medical Missions”

TT KPBS News

##########

Protocols are changing at state-run COVID testing sites.. KPBS Health Reporter Matt Hoffman says the move comes as the county is refocusing its pandemic efforts--

Those who are looking for COVID tests may notice some changes at state-funded testing sites.. There are seven across the county. One of the busiest is the University of San Diego’s old recycling center in Linda Vista. County officials say people coming to these locations will be offered a rapid test first, then a PCR lab test. Airion Medina was getting tested Thursday after a recent exposure at school.

Airion Medina, University of San Diego student

I think they should keep it free because some people need places to get covid tests and rapid tests are so hard to find so I think this is good for them to have

Despite federal COVID funding running out, county and state officials say they remain committed to providing no-cost testing and vaccinations, but recognize that many people are getting those services elsewhere. MH KPBS News.

##########

SANDAG employees pulled out their agency credit cards hundreds of times for meals … and taxpayers covered it all.

investigative reporter Jennifer Bowman has more.

A fifty-dollar filet mignon … late dinners … and extravagant bills. Auditors already flagged credit card purchases at SANDAG … but inewsource found some of the agency’s highest-paid staff often held business meetings at upscale dining spots.

Places like Rei Do Gado or Donovan’s steakhouse. And sometimes, other government officials and even lobbyists joined. CEO Hasan Ikhrata alone charged over seventeen-thousand-dollars in just two years.

The agency said it’s now updating its credit card policies.

For KPBS, I’m inewsource investigative reporter Jennifer Bowman.

inewsource is an independently funded, nonprofit partner of KPBS.

##########

Coming up.... The legacy of the late Tejano singer Selena is impacting young and diverse generations, 27 years after her death.

“We will learn how we can queer not just Selena’s music but the Latinx culture.”

Selena and the SDSU class she inspired…that’s next, just after the break.

Legendary Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla Perez died 27-years ago… devoted fans remembered her passing on March 31st. Today, Selena has inspired a class curriculum at San Diego State.

KPBS Education Reporter M.G. Perez tells us more about how her legacy lives on through music and some very diverse younger generations.

“I heard a song on the radio and I really fell in love with the song Como La Fleur’

Georgette is a drag queen…created by this young man born Jorge Noe Ledezma in a small town just north of Mexico City…

Georgette sits at her kitchen table in North Park with a powder puff and makeup preparing to become her alter-ego…Selena…the Tejano superstar who died tragically but helped a confused 10-year old Mexican boy live and find his true identity.

CG: Georgette/Selena Impersonator

“I had a lot of bullying when I was a kid because of who I am…but I love what I do…that’s the main thing.”

Jorge immigrated to San Diego more than 20 years ago.

and has since settled into happiness and confidence he credits to Selena…her songs and her spirit …

“she didn’t speak Spanish so well when she was interviewed…but always you can see she was giving her best. This is my first time having an interview in English and I’m trying to give my best…so we have something in common with that.”

The sounds of Selena are now part of a college curriculum. Professor NATHIAN SHAE RODRIGUEZ pitched the idea for a Selena class to the administration at San Diego State pre-pandemic...it is now a permanent elective offered in the spring semester. Dr. Nate, as students call him…is a fan and fellow Texan who grew up with a heavy influence from the Tejano singer. He built the class syllabus with 16-weeks of learning modules that use Selena as a bridge to Latino culture, media representation, and personal identity…there are field trips for students, too.

“ they get to go out into Barrio Logan…they get to see the Selena Mercado and walk the block..they get to go to Mujeres Brew House for the release of the beer…they get to go see drag shows to conduct an ethnography…write about it and take pictures, videos, and sound.”

An ethnography is the study of people in their own environment… which includes the LGBTQ community. The next two weeks of class are focused on learning that goes boldly down the rainbow road…

“Selena is a huge inspiration to the queer community …tons of drag queens will impersonate her…a lot of queer people such as myself find meaning in her music. We will learn how we can queer not just Selena’s music but the Latinx culture.”

The term ‘pocha’ is an important vocabulary word featured in class discussions. A pocha is a person caught between two cultures…not completely able to speak Spanish and not completely comfortable in the English-speaking culture…that was Selena…and Karina Bazarte is an SDSU senior who can relate. Karina’s Mexican parents thought they helped her by taking her from the barrio and enrolling her in schools with mostly white students.

“the most predominantly white schools and I couldn’t find myself. I thought am I the only one who looks different? The only one that doesn’t have blonde hair and blue eyes? Selena helped me identify who I am now.”

Natalia Martinez is Karina’s classmate. She was only 3-weeks old when Selena was killed.

“I never really got to have her present, but I had her music…that’s where I was able to create Selena in my head…and thought how this is someone I can have as my role model.”

Which brings us back to Georgette…and the little boy from a little Mexican town who used to dance around his living room imagining what he could become someday…listening to the music of Selena…

“I was like a Cinderella having a dream come true..and it was so emotional”

Georgette is now a veteran performer across Southern California…and the lessons she learned come from the heart and not a classroom…

“I think the thing I learn from her is to always be respectful..to be kind and sweet…that’s how I remember her and what I do every time I’m on stage.

That’s a legacy set to music that will never die. MGP KPBS News

A South park consignment shop Bad Madge and Company has been given the distinction of best vintage store in the country by the online review site Yelp. It was determined by user reviews and ratings. The shop is a hub for upcycled vintage clothing, niche home goods and accessories.

Tanya McAnear is the owner of Bad Madge and Company. She spoke with KPBS Midday Edition Host Jade Hindmon. Here’s that interview.

That was Tanya McAnear is the owner of Bad Madge and Company, a vintage shop in South Park. She was speaking with KPBS midday Edition Host Jade Hindmon.

############

The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego will reopen their La Jolla campus on Saturday, after a major renovation that began in 2018. KPBS/Arts editor and producer Julia Dixon Evans this preview of the new museum and its first special exhibition.

And that was reporting from KPBS/arts editor and producer Julia Dixon Evans. The Museum of Contemporary Art's grand reopening in La Jolla is Saturday, with free admission all weekend.

That’s it for the podcast today. As always you can find more San Diego news online at KPBS dot org. This podcast is produced by kpbs senior radio producer Brooke Ruth and me, Annica Colbert. Thanks for listening and have a great day.