California Journal

California history from a local perspective. San Diego

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Julian Mines, my husband and I make an annual drive to Julian to take in the sights, have some fun and revisit the place where we got married.  Last year we did not get a chance to visit because I had just had surgery, not to mention our little girl.  So we went last weekend.  

These are some of the tools used in local gold mining.  This particular mine was a stamp mine.  This means that after they dug the gold from the ground they would put it in a giant machine that "stamped" the rocks and crushed them to remove the gold.

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Letter of Hope Left at San Diego Home Destroyed by Fire

A family in Carlsbad that lost their dream home in the San Diego fires this week found something in the rubble that they never expected: a letter of hope left by a total stranger encouraging the family not...

A lot of us just faced this hard time, and I thought what better than to end this week on a positive note.  This article is about a letter left at the house of one of the families who lost their home, but it brings a little hope to anyone who might read it.

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These pictures are of the light house and spot light generator at the Cabrillo National Monument.  My husband and I regularly do the hike at the bottom of the hill.  We both enjoy the signs that talk about the local flora and fauna.  This is the original lighthouse, you can tour the little museum that has been created inside to help people understand the life of the light house keeper.

[usatoday]

Something to think about on Arbor Day.

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This makes me smile, because the one that stuck out to me the most was the last one, but after reading the others are far more important.

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Teachers reveal what they REALLY think about Common Core

Shocking news: In classrooms and school staff meetings across the country, teachers and school administrators are sharing enthusiasm over new educational standards known as the Common Core State Stand

I started out trying to find something about San Diego, because lets face it, I care more about things happening around me.  But I came across this and it got me thinking.  

Here we are looking toward the future of education and things can either start going really well or really poorly.  I know a lot of teachers who have been teaching a while who have technology in their classrooms but simply do not know how to use it.  Then there are teachers like me, who have a masters in technology and have spent most of their education learning about technology as a learning tool.  Why aren't schools having teachers like me show other teachers how they can use things like fake book and edmodo to reach their students.  

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Tomorrow is Earth Day, these pictures are part of an art exhibit at sea world asking people to think about the things in the ocean. These pieces are made of trash that the artist found on San Diego beaches. Some highlights include croc shoes and a angry bird piggie. Doesn't seem history worthy to some, but if we don't think about this now it'll be too late.

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These were the dad's way of controlling the amount of time a daughter could send with a man who wished to court her. These candles make me think about how far women's rights really have come.

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What is this sick world coming too??? It's no longer safe to drive with your kids in the car. Makes me worried about what the world will be like when my little girls grows up.

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Normally not seen as historical, the San Diego Zoo was founded in 1916, and originally consisted of a line of cages along park boulevard. The first baby was born 9/17/17, and more than 200 babies have been born since.

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Student Suing Parents??

http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/12/us/student-sues-parents-new-jersey/ This is a sad day when a child can leave their home then EXPECT their parents to continue providing for them in the means they had in their parent's home. I am extremely happy that the judge would not side with the child and that child protective services found that the young lady was not emotionally abused. Now I hope these parents hold to the punishments that started this whole thing so that this young lady will learn that throwing a fit will not allow her to get her way, because lets be honest, there are enough spoiled brats in our world now.

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SDSU to Hike Student Fees $200 a semester

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2014/Mar/14/fee-hike-sdsu-student-success-protest-hirshman/?#article-copy CA is feeling the down economy, SDSU along with other schools have been effected, but is it really in the best interest to students to put them further into debt to get an education? I'm sure I am not the first to say it, and I am sure I won't be the last. Students are falling further into debt in order to compete in the job market because of the growing expectations of employers. When I read the comments some gentleman tried to justify this hike as it would only effect those that do not qualify for financial aid, and therefore could afford it. What state schools consider qualifying for aid is unrealistic. During my B.A. program I did not qualify for financial aid, in order to pay for school I worked 6 days a week and still had to take out student loans. Everyone is taking advantage of students . . . schools, text book makers, governments . . . it's a sad day when those who wish to better themselves are taken advantage of in such a way.

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The blacksmith in Old Town San Diego. They still do metal work. The gentleman in the picture is a volunteer and spends one day a week making house shoes and talking with visitors. All of the tools in the picture had a purpose. It's really interesting to hear about all they do.

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With Common Core becoming a reality in classrooms and the possibility of teacher equality (NCLB act) moving teachers around do we really need another thing for teachers to handle in the classrooms . . . From personal experience, I agree that ELL students need something better than what we are giving them . . . maybe a tech lead translation of classroom teaching . . . California is the leaders in so many things why not the field of education technology?

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La Casa de Estudillo beautifully preserved for visitors. Also apparently the setting for the book Ramona. Couldn't help but notice the crib and think about my little princess and how quickly she's be out of it and on the floor. I did love that style house and how they just keep adding on when they have more family.

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New laws allowing school districts to put money where it could do the most good . . . I love the sound of this but wonder about it's effectiveness in the long run . . . will districts really use the principle of what's fair isn't always equal or will they give to the people who ask the loudest and not necessarily where the money can do the most good. Good Luck California . . . we shall see soon enough.

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First San Diego School House. One of my favorite places in Old Town San Diego. It reminds me of the humble beginnings of the education system in California. The Interior pictures show what the school house would have been set up like. Students would have to listen to the teacher and read together from a series of primers. The picture of the toys show the early toys that children might have. I think it is interesting that these toys prepared children for their future lives . . . now we are lucky if toys last more than ten minutes and teach them NOTHING.