Navarro is community opinion editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune. She is a transfronteriza who lives on both sides of the border.
San Diego, CA
San Diego’s Veterans Village says it won’t appeal license revocation
Veterans Village of San Diego will not appeal a state decision to revoke its license to operate a residential substance use treatment center on its campus, the Board of Directors announced following its Friday afternoon meeting.
The move ends VVSD’s service to non-veterans at its Mission Hills campus.
The California Department of Health Care Services on Sept. 5 notified the nonprofit that it was suspending the program and would revoke its license, and VVSD had 15 days to appeal. The suspension of the Drug Medi-Cal Organized Delivery System program, which provides substance use disorder treatment for eligible Medi-Cal members, went into effect Monday.
The program had been at VVSD since 2019, and most of the 76 clients were non-veterans who had been referred by San Diego County Behavioral Health Services.
“We embarked on the DMC (Drug Medi-Cal) program with a bold vision: to extend our world-renowned treatment approach to civilians in need,” the VVSD board said in a statement released Friday. “We undertook this mission amidst an unprecedented surge in fentanyl use, reaching out to the most vulnerable members of our community with crucial support. As we move forward, we proudly refocus our efforts on our core mission — dedicated service to our nation’s heroes.”
Tessa Outhyse, information officer for the California Department of Health Care Services, said the state has revoked the license or certification of five other residential substance use disorder facilities in the past three years.
The California Department of Health Care Services had cited “serious concerns about client safety” and the deaths of seven clients in its notice to VVSD and its program.
VVSD President and CEO Akilah Templeton said the news was devastating to staff members who had worked with clients and now fear they may relapse or return to the street. County staff members were on hand Monday to place people in new programs, but VVSD counselors said they are in the dark about what happened to them.
“I know that on that first day, so many of our residents just left and went back out to the street, just going back to using,” said Meghan Ripley, a program manager who worked with clients.
“And it just breaks my heart, because they were doing so well here,” she continued, fighting back tears as she remembered the program’s last day. “It was so sad. I had clients coming up to me crying, begging me to let them stay, like I had any control over it. Begging, saying that they would come up with the money to be able to pay out of pocket just to be able to stay here because they were safe here. And then they just lost all hope and left.”
“It was so swift, the way they came down,” said clinical associate Isaac Salas, also in tears. “It was so traumatic for everyone involved. It was just devastating. The population we work with, they’re already a bunch of traumatized people. They already have a lot going on. And the way that they handled this, it was inhumane.”
Founded in 1981 to serve veterans facing a variety of challenges, VVSD offers programs to overcome unemployment, addiction, barriers to health and mental health care and other challenges. It created the annual Stand Down event to connect veterans with homeless services, and the program has inspired similar events throughout the country.
A perfect storm
Templeton said several things aligned to lead to the license revocation, beginning with complaints within the organization itself from people who objected to VVSD expanding its programs to include non-veterans, a move she said involved many factors, including a need for additional funding.
VVSD also was restricted from expelling disruptive people from the program during the pandemic, and critics went public with accusations that the environment was unsafe, she said.
And then there was the overall increase in fentanyl use among addicts. All of the overdose deaths cited by the state involved the drug, which is considered more lethal than other street drugs.
“And so this was all the perfect storm,” Templeton said.
Restrictions on the program prohibit clients from being searched, and Templeton said an investigation into one death revealed the fentanyl involved had been brought onto the campus by another client who hid it in a body cavity.
“We can’t do everything,” she said, adding that drugs were rarely found on campus. “We can’t even pat someone down. We can’t say with absolute certainty that substances won’t make their way into the environment.”
“If you have drugs on campus, you are discharged,” said counselor Teresa Najera, who had worked in the program. “No exception. You’re putting the rest of the clients at risk of relapsing.”
Templeton also acknowledged there were deficiencies in the program, but said they had been corrected and none were related to the deaths, which included one from apparent natural causes and others outside the campus.
On-, off-campus deaths
The state cited seven deaths in its notice, with four in 2022, two in 2023 and one last March. Four were on campus, including two that were drug-related.
One client died of a heart attack on campus in February 2022. That same month, another person who had been ill died on campus after he returned from a hospital that had cleared him for discharge.
A third person died in April 2022 of a drug overdose on campus. Templeton said that man had been referred from the County Probation Department and was on campus just two weeks when he died. After his death, Templeton said they learned he had 20 prior drug overdoses and other issues that might have disqualified him from the VVSD program.
In September 2022, a client who was not responding to treatment, relapsing and not complying with urine testing was off campus and supposedly looking for a sober living home when he died of a drug overdose.
Because he was still technically enrolled in the VVSD program, his death was considered to have happened on their watch. The state put VVSD on an 18-month probation because of the deaths in 2022, and the probation was set to end Sept. 9.
In May 2023, a man in the program created a fraudulent pass to leave the campus and died of a drug overdose at his brother’s house, although he was considered still enrolled in VVSD.
In September of that year, another client who was off campus died when he was struck by a train while riding a bicycle.
Last March, two clients overdosed on campus, and one died.
The closing of the program affected 36 employees; Templeton said 19 were furloughed and 17 were assigned other positions.
VVSD still has 199 beds funded for residential treatment, but the action leaves an additional 123 beds without funding.
The nonprofit had submitted $87,136 to the state to renew its license last March, and Templeton said the money is not refundable.
Originally Published:
San Diego, CA
Unhinged, A Dating Series: What Dating Will Look Like in 2025 | San Diego Magazine
My algorithm is permanently stuck in the dating world. Ads, social posts, articles, events, press releases—everything that has to do with finding love has come across my screen in the last year. And if all my fervent article reading and constant chats with experts and everyday daters have taught me anything, it’s that the way we search for the one follows fads like anything else—and things are shifting. With only a few more months to go in 2024, here are some of the trends that the industry is projecting for singles in 2025:
Daters Are Going Sober to Find Love
In July, Newsweek covered the rise of sober dating among Gen Zers and Millennials during a time when people are ditching alcohol (though, still staying “California sober”) at higher rates than previous generations. Even those not cutting alcohol out completely are scaling back—according to a study by NC Solutions, 41 percent of people are minimizing their use and prioritizing mental health.
This trend of dry dating has led to the creation of new NA apps such as Drybaby, Loosid, and Club Pillar, which aim to bring like-minded singles together in one place. Apps like these make it easier for sober singles to organize meetups while avoiding awkward conversations about not drinking on first, second, or future dates. They’re also drawing singles together IRL: Drybaby, for example, has partnered with NYC- and LA-based companies like The Feels, which hosts “mindful” events, and Reading Rhythms, a group that throws reading parties.
In an interview with Dazed magazine, Catherine Gray, author of The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober, argues that drinking on dates can leave people confused about their true feelings. “Frequently, on the 7 p.m. first drink we’ll think, ‘Meh,’” she told the outlet. “On the second drink, ‘meh’ is a little more mesmerizing. Rinse and repeat four times, and suddenly you’re heavy petting someone you wouldn’t even ordinarily lightly pet.”
When dating dry, there’s no alcohol-induced cloudiness about whether someone is actually a good potential match. And, at the very least—during a time when most of us are just trying to figure out how to pay rent each month—spending money on expensive drinks can wait for later dates, when you’re sure you have a crush. Keep an eye out for more of these NA apps and dating events in 2025.
The Apps Are Here to Stay, But Users Aren’t
While dating apps aren’t necessarily going anywhere, users are starting to rely on them less when it comes to finding a potential partner. I wrote about this return to meeting people in person a few weeks back. It makes sense—we’re all burnt out and in need of a new way to find love, a fact that seems especially true for the younger generations.
Recently, Time published a piece on the members of Gen Z choosing to dtich dating apps. Data from a 2023 Statista survey showed that, in the US, Gen Z makes up only 26 percent of dating app users, while Millennials come in at 61 percent. CNN reported that “singles mixers and other group dating parties have made a comeback since the Covid-19 pandemic ended as singles look to get off their screens and meet potential partners in person.”
According to data from Eventbrite, attendance at singles’ events increased 42 percent between 2022 and 2023. Those numbers are even higher when it comes to game- or sports-based dating meetups. So, if you’re looking to date in the next year, consider how to get out in your community and meet someone at the many dating events that have been popping up lately.
Singles Are Doing Away With “Types”
This one is an interesting one. Contra-dating is a concept that involves intentionally dating people you would normally not choose in order to broaden your options. Many of us tend to stick with what we know, and, in the dating world, that can lead to a cycle of bad relationships—or closing yourself off to a potential match just because they don’t fit what you’re used to.
I love the idea that people are opening up their dating pool by purposefully spending time with those who aren’t their type. And the idea isn’t at all foreign in popular culture—Love is Blind (despite its issues) takes this type of thinking to the most extreme level, and even rom-coms have used that formula for decades, pairing two individuals who are wildly different and letting viewers watch as they eventually fall in love.
Contra-dating pushes you to be more open-minded and prioritize your core values over more surface-level things like physical appearance. It seems obvious to date outside of your normal pool, but how many of us actually take the leap? We often eliminate people quickly when they don’t match our past experiences or typical crush.
This type of dating can also expose individuals to new hobbies, activities, or ways of thinking—so even if you don’t fall in love with someone new, they may introduce you to your new favorite thing.
Living in the Moment, No Matter the Outcome
In my own dating life, I’ve learned that putting too much pressure early on can lead to unnecessary arguments. On the other hand, future-faking—a tactic where someone makes false promises about commitment to keep someone invested in a relationship—can be harmful to those who are genuinely seeking a long-term partner.
“NATO” dating, or “not attached to the outcome,” is a term used to describe a form of dating that places an emphasis on living in the moment, day-by-day, with potential matches. In an interview with The Star, Paul C. Brunson, Tinder’s global relationship insights expert, said, “Instead of rushing into a ‘happily ever after,’ [users are] focusing on using the dating journey to accumulate a roster of new experiences and memories that enhance their personal stories.”
When it comes to dating apps, every day can mean a new match or potential meetup—which, on the surface, can sound exciting. However, the amount of matches that don’t turn into a full-blown relationship can make us feel like there’s something wrong with us, not the algorithm.
Taking the NATO route means that you’re no longer worried about whether your next date is the one. Instead, you can free up your mind to take something away from every interaction you have, whether good or bad. Releasing our concerns about what’s next can also leave us more at ease when dating, meaning we’ll be more ourselves during those uncomfortable first meetups.
According to Forbes, the benefits of NATO dating include pursuing mindful partnerships, prioritizing personal growth, embracing singlehood, seeking meaningful experiences, and assessing true compatibility. It makes sense. This approach to dating can help you let go of timelines and pre-existing expectations and allow you to get to know a person without all the pressure and anxiety of finding the love of your life.
What do you think? What other dating trends and predictions have you seen lately? Let me know. Email me at [email protected] and let me know which topics you’d like me to dig deeper into.
If you’re new to Unhinged, catch up on all the dating chats you’ve missed here and follow along at @monicles and @sandiegomag on Instagram to know when a new article drops each week.
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San Diego, CA
Opinion: Mexican is not a nationality, it’s a state of mind
When Costa Rican-born ranchera singer Chavela Vargas rose to international fame in the past century, she was asked in an interview if she was Mexican and she said yes. Immediately, reporters asked her how come she was Mexican if she was born in Costa Rica and her answer immortalized her. In a more folkloric way, she said that Mexicans are born wherever they want.
When someone asks me “Where are you from?” I tend to give a longer explanation than most people. I usually say, “I was born in San Diego, and raised in Tijuana,” because I have always felt like I am from both sides of the border, and because just like Chavela, I feel Mexican even if I wasn’t born there.
I am American because my parents decided to have my birth on the northern side of the border. According to them, the day after I was born, I was brought to Tijuana. (When recalling that story, my father remarks that no child seat was required to leave the hospital back then.)
And my case is not unique. In Tijuana and in other parts of the world, some families decide to pay to have birth deliveries in the United States. Just like Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila, who lives in Mexicali and decided to have her youngest child born in Imperial Valley in 2022.
During my school years, when Tijuana was a smaller city, I had classmates, friends and later in life even colleagues who were born on the northern side of the border. Some, like me, have decided to use their American nationality to work and others don’t.
These are not “anchor babies,” so please don’t even start arguing that. These are middle or high-income tourists who pay for a birth delivery service in a foreign country, and as long as they pay the hospital bill, there’s nothing illegal about it.
While American, being raised on Mexican soil had a powerful effect on me. During my younger years, I went to school in Mexican classrooms, traveled around many Mexican cities and fell in love with the culture of my parents and ancestors. Back then, I was convinced that I was Mexican, because my skin gets goosebumps while listening to the “Mexican National Anthem” the same way that it does with “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
When I became the mother of an American boy in 2012, I made a big effort to raise him bilingual and I even moved back to Tijuana to enroll him in a Mexican school for four years. I feel proud when I see that he is fluent in English and Spanish, and ashamed when he tells me of the racial slurs he has been called by those who believe he is not American enough. Last year, he visited Mexico City for the first time and he quickly learned that just standing in front of the Zócalo in Plaza de la Constitución is one of the proudest moments for any Mexican.
Since he was a little boy, our favorite Mexican celebration is on Nov. 2 for Day of the Dead, and on Sept. 16, we have our second favorite Mexican celebration, Independence Day.
I usually watch the TV transmission from Mexico City and directly from the Zócalo plaza. We see when the president recreates “el grito,” or the shouting, that was the call that triggered Mexicans to start their independence fight against Spain’s crown in 1810 and then he rings the bell, just like the priest Miguel Hidalgo, the father of Mexican independence, did it in his church.
And without food our Mexican celebration wouldn’t be complete. That’s why I learned to make pozole, a classic Mexican dish, that transports me back home.
While neither my son nor I were born in Mexico, we know our Mexican heritage is there, in my food and in our souls. We both know we are connected with our roots because like Chavela makes clear, being Mexican is more than a nationality, it is also an attitude, a state of mind and a way of life.
¡Viva México!
San Diego, CA
Trump campaigns in Western states as Harris focuses on critical Pennsylvania
By MICHELLE L. PRICE and COLLEEN LONG
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Former President Donald Trump will campaign Friday in Western states as his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris keeps her focus on one of the biggest battleground prizes in the East, Pennsylvania.
Trump is scheduled to hold what’s being billed as a news conference in the morning at his Los Angeles-area golf club before heading to Northern California for a fundraiser, followed by a rally in Las Vegas, the largest city in swing state Nevada.
Harris, meanwhile, heads to Johnstown and Wilkes-Barre on Friday as she tries to capitalize on her momentum after Tuesday night’s debate. It’s her second day of back-to-back rallies after holding two events in North Carolina, another swing state, on Thursday.
While speaking in Charlotte, Harris took a victory lap for her debate performance in which she needled Trump and kept him on the defensive. Recounting one moment while campaigning in North Carolina, she mocked Trump for saying he had “concepts of a plan” for replacing the Affordable Care Act.
“Concepts. Concepts. No actual plan. Concepts,” she said as the crowd roared with laughter.
Her campaign said she raised $47 million from 600,000 donors in the 24 hours after her debate with Trump.
Harris said the candidates “owe it to voters to have another debate.” But Trump said he won’t agree to face off with her again.
Trump’s morning event will mark the second Friday in a row that the Republican has scheduled a news conference, though at his last appearance in New York, the former president didn’t take any questions. Instead, the Republican for nearly an hour railed against women who have accused him of sexual misconduct over the years, resurrecting the allegations in the public eye days before his debate with Harris.
It’s unclear whether Trump plans to speak about any subject in particular at Friday’s news conference, but his campaign has added more to his schedule since early August as he tries to contrast himself with Harris. She has not held a news conference since becoming a presidential candidate and the Democrat has only sat for one in-depth interview.
Her campaign has said she will start doing more interviews with local media outlets concentrated in battleground states.
After appearing at his golf club in upscale Rancho Palos Verdes, Trump will head to a fundraiser in the afternoon in the Bay Area town of Woodside that is being hosted by billionaire software developer Tom Siebel and his wife, Stacey Siebel. Tom Siebel is the second cousin once removed of Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the wife of California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat and surrogate for Harris.
Attendees will pay at least $3,300 per person or raise $10,000 for the campaign, according to an invitation. Top-tier donors will get a photo, reception and roundtable, paying $500,000 for a couple to be on the host committee or $150,000 per person to be a co-host.
It’s Trump’s second fundraising stop in California in as many days as he tries to make up fundraising ground against Harris.
Even before she raked in cash after the debate, the vice president reported raising $361 million in August from nearly 3 million donors, her first full month as a candidate after replacing President Joe Biden. Trump brought in $130 million over the same period. Harris’ campaign reported that it started September with $109 million more on hand than Trump’s did.
On Friday night, he heads to Las Vegas, where he’ll have a rally in the city’s downtown area. Trump was in the city last month for a brief stop to promote his proposal to end federal taxes on workers’ tips, something that’s expected to especially resonate in the tourist city, where much of the service-based economy includes workers who rely on tips. He announced a new proposal Thursday to end taxes on overtime pay.
The swing state is one that Trump narrowly lost in 2016 and 2020 and is among about half a dozen that both campaigns are heavily focused on.
The Republican presidential ticket has visited Clark County, Nevada, four times since June. Trump has held campaign events in Las Vegas three times, while his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, held a rally in suburban Henderson in July.
The Democratic ticket also has visited four times, although two of those campaign events were by President Joe Biden before he dropped out of the race. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, had a joint rally in Las Vegas last month, and Walz visited the city again Tuesday.
___
Long reported from Washington. Associated Press writers Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles, Chris Megerian in Washington and Tom Verdin in Sacramento contributed to this report.
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