>> Joanne: COMING UP NEXT ON KPBS EVENING EDITION CALIFORNIA
PRISONS MARK A MILESTONE.
SCENES LIKE THIS ARE HISTORY.
>> Dwane: AND STUDENT ENTREPRENEURS TAKE CENTERSTAGE
IN SAN DIEGO BUT MAKING MONEY FOR THEMSELVES IS NOT THEIR
PRIMARY GOAL.
>> Joanne: KPBS EVENING EDITION STARTS NOW.
>> Joanne: HELLO, THANKS FOR JOINING US I'M JOANNE FARYON.
>> Dwane: I'M DWANE BROWN.
CALIFORNIA PRISON OFFICIALS SAY THEY HAVE REMOVED ABOUT 25,000
BEDS ONCE CRAMMED INTO GYMS AND OTHER COMMON AREAS BECAUSE THERE
WERE TOO MANY INMATES FOR REGULAR PRISON CELLS.
THE STATE CORRECTIONAL DEPARTMENT SAYS THIS IS A
MILESTONE IN REDUCING OVER CROWDING.
STATEWIDE PRISON CAPACITY HAS DROPPED BY 19,000 INMATES.
THE SYSTEM IS STILL OVER CROWDED THOUGH.
>>> THIS WEEK SAN DIEGO'S DONOVAN PRISON WAS 67% OVER
CAPACITY WITH OVER 3700 INMATES IN A FACILITY DESIGNED TO HOLD
2200.
IT'S A IMPROVEMENT FROM LATE SEPTEMBER WHEN THERE WAS 4300
INMATES.
LAST WEEK THEY CLEARED ALL INMATES FROM THEIR GYM.
>> Joanne: UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO FINDS VIOLENCE ON THE
US/MEXICAN BORDER HAS DECREASED IN THE LAST YEAR.
WE ARE JOINED FROM THE KPBS NEWS CENTER WITH MORE DETAILS.
ADRIAN, HOW MUCH HAS BORDER VIOLENCE DIMINISHD AND DOES THE
REPORT TELL US WHY?
>> TWO YEARS AGO 32% OF DRUG RELATED KILLINGS FELL ON BORDER
AREAS.
IT'S HARD TO TELL EXACTLY WHY.
YOU CAN'T INTERVIEW THE DRUG CARTEL.
THERE IS SPECULATION THAT THE CARTEL IN THOSE CITIES HAS
DEFEATED IT'S OPPONENTS, SMALLER DRUG OP RACES AND DOES NOT HAVE
TO BE AS VIOLENT AS IN THE PAST TO GET THEIR JOB DONE.
>> Joanne: THE REPORT POINTS OUT KILLINGS IN OTHER PARTS OF
MEXICO HAS INCREASED.
DO WE ASSUME THE PROBLEM HAS MIGRATED RATHER THAN DIMINISH.
>> ACCORDING TO THE REPORT THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED.
THE VIOLENCE HAS MOVED SOUTH AS THEY FIGHT FOR CONTROL OF
SOUTHERN PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
LAST YEAR DRUG RELATED MURDERS INCREASED BY 11% FROM THE YEAR
BEFORE, THE YEAR BEFORE THAT IT WAS A 59% INCREASE.
SO THINGS AREN'T GETTING BETTER NECESSARILY BUT WORST AT A
SLOWER RATE.
>> Joanne: OKAY ADRIAN, THANK YOU.
>> Dwane: CALIFORNIA'S BOARD OF EQUALIZATION HAS POSTED A LIST
OF THE BIGGEST TAX DELINQUENTS.
THERE ARE SEVERAL INDIVIDUALS TAGGED FOR DELINQUENT SALES AND
USE TAXES TOTALING NEARLY $25 MILLION.
SOME OF THE TAXES GO BACK TO 2003.
STARTING IN JULY THOSE ON THE LIST WON'T BE ABLE TO GET STATE
LICENSES OR PERMITS UNTIL THEY PAY UP.
>>> PRICE AT THE GAS PUMP KEEPS CLIMBING IN SAN DIEGO.
NOW THE AUTO CLUB SAYS OUR PRICES ARE HIGHER THAN
HONOLULU.
PRICES IN HAWAII ARE USUALLY MORE EXPENSIVE BUT TODAY WE WERE
A PENNY MORE THAN THE ALOHA STATE.
THE AVERAGE $4.37.
>> Joanne: TRAFFIC COURT IS NOT A PLUSSENT EXPERIENCE BUT SAN
DIEGO COURT IS TRYING TO MAKE IT MORE REASONABLE.
THEY'RE SCHEDULING NIGHT COURT TO HELP THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE
TIME TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC TICKETS DURING THEIR WORKDAYS.
IF IT WORKS IT COULD EXPANDED.
>> Dwane: THE SECOND ANNUAL SOCIAL INNOVATIONS CHALLENGE WAS
HELD ON THE CAMPUS OF UNIVERSITY SAN DIEGO TODAY.
THE OBJECTIVE COME UP WITH A WAY TO SOLVE A SOCIAL ECONOMIC OR
ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEM PLAYING SAN DIEGO OR THE WORLD.
>> Dwane: YOU MAY OWN A PAIR OF TOM'S A SOCIALLY CONSCIENCE
COMPANY MAN OF MATCHING EVERY PAIR OF SHOES SOLD FOR A NEW
PAIR OF SHOES FOR A CHILD IN NEED.
THE OWNER SAW MANY WALKING AROUND IN ARGENTINA BAREFOOT.
THEY SOLD OVER TEN THOUSAND PAIRS THE FIRST YEAR AND GAVE
AWAY TEN THOUSAND MORE TO ARGENTINA.
>> IT'S SIMILAR TO TOM'S.
>> Dwane: LIKE DOZENS OF OTHER STUDENTS TRON HAD FIVE MINUTES
TO PITCH HIS IDEA FOR A BACKPACK THAT CONVERTS INTO A SLEEPING
SHELTER FOR HOMELESS IN SAN DIEGO AND THEN A FEEDBACK PANEL
FROM BUSINESS MEMBERS.
>> HOW DO YOU WASH IT?
>> I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT.
>> ALRIGHT.
>> Dwane: ONE OF THE NINE JUDGES FOR THE CONTEST TO WIN UP TO
$30,000 IS TIFFANY OWEN.
SHE HAS BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE.
>> I AM REALLY ASTOUNDED AND IMPRESSED WITH MY PEERS IDEAS
AND THE TIME AND THOUGHT THEY PUT INTO THEIR PROJECTS.
>> Dwane: OWEN WON LAST YEAR'S CHALLENGE WITH A RECYCLING
CAMPAIGN IN CALIFORNIA TO GENERATE FUNDING FOR CLEAN WATER
PRONG EQUITY IN EARTHQUAKE DAMAGED HAITI.
>> BY RECYCLING IN THE COMMUNITY YOU GET 5 CENTS CRV AND WE USE
THE MONEY TO PURCHASE THE FILTERS AND TAKE THEM TO HAITI.
>> Dwane: SHE SAYS STUDENTS HERE COME FROM ACROSS THE CAMPUS.
LAST YEAR 19 PITCHES IDEAS.
THIS YEAR THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS NEARLY TRIPPED TO 52.
>> OVER EVERY WATER BOTTLED SOLD --
>> Dwane: THE STUDENTS ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING A DIFFERENCE
WHETHER THEIR PROJECT IS FUNDED OR NOT.
>> Dwane: THE WINNERS FOR THE SOCIAL INNOVATION CHALLENGE WILL
BE CHOSEN AT THE END OF APRIL.
>>> WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WATCHDOG IS ATTACKED?
JOANNE HAS THAT STORY AND OTHER BIG NEWS OF THE WEEK AT THE
ROUND TABLE.
>> Joanne: FOR 25 YEARS THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO BE THE AGENCY
THAT LOOKED OUT FOR THE CONSUMER.
THE GROUP THAT WOULD MAKE SURE WE WEREN'T GETTING RIPPED OFF.
NOW A SENIOR MANAGER OF UCAN IS ACCUSED OF TAKING ILLEGAL
BONUSES AND KEEPING SECRET BANK ACCOUNTS.
LAST WEEK UCAN WAS SERVED WITH A FEDERAL SUBPOENA.
ALSO THIS WEEK MORE FINANCIAL TROUBLES AT SAN
DIEGO SCHOOLS AND IT LOOKS LIKE A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE SCHOOL
BOARD AND THE UNION.
JOINING ME IS JEFF McDONALD AND DAVID ROLLAND.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> SURE.
>> Joanne: JEFF, BRING US UP TO SPEED.
WHAT IS UCAN ACCUSED OF?
HOW DID IT COME TO LIGHT.
>> IT CAME TO LIGHT THIS WEEK WHEN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DECIDED TO FILE A DISSOLUTION REQUEST.
THEY CHARACTERIZE THIS AS A PROTECTIVE DEFENSIVE MEASURE
AGAINST DEFENSIVE LAWSUITS AND CASHFLOW PROBLEMS.
IT UNDERSCORED A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION WE LEARNED ABOUT
AT THE SAME TIME.
THE FBI HAS APPARENTLY BEEN LOOKING INTO UCAN FINANCES,
TRANSACTIONS AND BANK ACCOUNTS FOR SOME MONTHS.
THE CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD IS ORDERED TO APPEAR IN FEDERAL
COURT NEXT WEEK WITH A WHEELBARROW FULL OF RECORDS.
>> Joanne: NOW LET'S THROW INTO THIS STORY A COUPLE OF
WHISTLEBLOWERS OR SO-CALLED WHISTLEBLOWERS.
WE HAD THEM ON OUR SHOW THIS WEEK, TWO EMPLOYEES WITH UCAN
WHO TOLD US THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH
MONEYS.
THEY WENT TO THE BOARD, PRIVATELY.
THE BOARD DIDN'T RESPOND.
THEN GOT THEMSELVES A LAWYER, MICHAEL GEARY.
SO, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT.
>> THE BOARD DID RESPOND ACCORDING TO ALL SIDES.
THEY HIRED AN INVESTIGATOR LOOKING INTO THE ALLEGATIONS AND
FOUND NO MERIT TO THEM.
THE TWO EMPLOYEES DON'T FEEL THAT THE INVESTIGATION WAS
THOROUGH OR EXTENSIVE AS IT NEEDED TO BE AND THEY DIDN'T
LOOK AT OTHER EVIDENCE SUBSEQUENTLY REPORTED TO BOARD
MEMBERS.
THEY DON'T CREDIT THE INVESTIGATION CONSIDERED TO BE
WORTHWHILE.
SO, THAT PROMPTED THEIR APPROACHING MR.
GEARY WHO HAS SINCE NEGOTIATED PRIVATELY WITH
THE BOARD MEMBERS TO TRY TO RESOLVE SOME OF THE ISSUES HE
CREDITS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO THE GOOD GOVERNANCE OF THE
ORGANIZATION.
THAT HASN'T SATISFIED THE EMPLOYEES OR MR.
GEARY.
>> Joanne: MICHAEL GEARY FORMER CITY ATTORNEY AND MICHAEL SHAMES
YOU TALKED TO AT LENGTH YESTERDAY?
>> YES MICHAEL SHAMES IS WELL KNOWN ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND
ESPECIALLY TO REPORTERS.
HE WORKS VERY WELL WITH THE MEDIA IN TOWN AND HAS DONE IT
FOR ALMOST 30 YEARS N HIS VARIOUS BATTLES AGAINST
UTILITIES IN THIS CITY.
HE IS FUN TO TALK TO, A NICE GUY.
IT'S ALMOST LIKE, I HAVE PERSONALLY A GREAT ADMIRATION
FOR THE WORK HE HAS DONE.
WHEN YOU HEAR THE NEWS IT'S LIKE A "SAY IT ISN'T SO" KIND OF
THING.
PERSONALLY I'M PULLING FOR THE GUY.
WOULD I HATE TO THINK HE DID ANYTHING WRONG, PARTICULARLY FOR
HIM, FOR ONE THING.
PARTICULARLY FOR THE CONSUMERS IN SAN DIEGO.
IF, IF WE LOSE UCAN THERE IS A HUGE HOLE, YOU KNOW, IN THE
DEFENSE OF RATE PAYERS IN THE CITY.
>> Joanne: I WANT TO TALK MORE ABOUT THAT.
I ALWAYS WANT TO TALK TO A FACEBOOK COMMENT FROM MICHAEL
SHAMES HE POSTED I BELIEVE LAST NIGHT.
WHEN HE SAYS: >> Joanne: IS THAT PART OF THIS,
A PERSONAL FIGHT?
>> WELL, MICHAEL SHAMES SAYS IT IS.
HE WOULD NOT BE THE FIRST PERSON TO SAY EVER THAT MICHAEL GEARY
IS WAGING A TERROR CAMPAIGN.
MIKE, WOE PROBABLY ADMIT HE IS A BIT OF A BULL IN A CHINA SHOP.
HE COMES CHARGING IN AND TAKES NO PRISONERS.
HE HAS A REAL STYLE ABOUT HIM.
CERTAINLY OTHER FOLKS HAVE SAID, YOU KNOW, TO ME OVER THE YEARS
DURING HIS TENURE AT CITY ATTORNEY HE CAN BE VOLATILE AND
VINDICTIVE AND OTHER THINGS.
HEY, MAYBE HE HAS SOMETHING HERE.
WE WON'T KNOW UNTIL IT ALL SHAKES OUT.
>> Joanne: JEFF, WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE BIG CASES.
THE SDG&E CASE WITH THE WILDFIRES, WATER?
WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
>> THE CASES WILL PER SIT AT THE PUC LEVEL.
THE QUESTION IS HOWIE EFFECTIVE AND WHETHER UCAN WILL CONTINUE
TO PRESS THE RATE PAYERS CASE.
MR.
SHAMES SAYS HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK EITHER WITH UCAN
OR A NEW ORGANIZATION THAT WILL SHAKE OUT THROUGH THE PROCESS.
>> Joanne: WE WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IT THERE.
NOW THE NEW STORY.
MUST READ, CITY BEAT, SAN DIEGO SCHOOL DISTRICT.
SCOTT BARNETT IS CONSIDERING NUCLEAR OPTION.
SCOTT BARNETT IS THE SCHOOL TRUSTEE.
TELL US WHAT THE NUCLEAR OPTION IS.
DAVID, TAKE IT AWAY.
>> THOSE WERE MY WORDS.
HIS WORDS LATER IN THE STORY WERE "ARMAGEDDON."
WHAT HE MEANS BY THAT IS DECIDING NOT TO LAYOFF 1100 TO
1200 EMPLOYEES.
INSTEAD PURPOSELY RUN THE DISTRICT OUT OF MONEY.
WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, IF THAT OCCURRED
THE, THE DISTRICT ESSENTIALLY WOULD THROW UP IT'S HANDS, RAISE
THE WHITE FLAG AND SAY WE HAVE FAILED TO BALANCE THIS BUDGET.
WE'RE IN SEROUS TROUBLE AND CAN'T PAY OUR BILLS.
THEN THE STATE WOULD SEND IN A TRUSTEE TO TAKE OVER THE
DISTRICT, PROBABLY GET STATE LOANS OF SOME KIND, OF SOME
AMOUNT TO KEEP THE DISTRICT A FLOAT.
IT'S IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO THAT.
INSOLVENTCY IS NOT REQUIRED.
THE SCHOOL BOARD HAS A PROPOSED BUDGET.
THE PROBLEM IS IN ORDER TO BALANCE THE BUDGET THE PROPOSAL
IS TO LAYOFF AS MANY EMPLOYEES AS I SAID PLUS SELL OUT
$21 MILLION WORT OF REAL ESTATE ASSETS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OWNS.
THERE IS NO, I CALL IT THE STORY A LOSE, LOSE SITUATION.
THERE IS NO GOOD OPTION HERE.
>> Joanne: THIS IS WHERE I LIKE YOUR STORY.
WE KNOW BUDGETS ARE ABOUT CHOICES.
YOU LAY OUT THE CHOICES FOR US.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE FALSE CHOICES BUT OFTEN THEY'RE
LAYOFFS, BIGGER CLASS SIZES OR DO TEACHERS MAKE CONCESSIONS.
THESE ARE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN OR RUN OUT OF
MONEY, A FINAL CHOICE.
IS THIS REALLY BECOMING A SHOWDOWN BETWEEN THE UNION, WHO
IN YOUR STORY SAYS WE DON'T KNOW IF THEY'RE OUT OF MONEY, AND THE
SCHOOL BOARD.
>> IT CERTAINLY APPEARS TO BE.
YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THE UNION POINT OF VIEW NOT WANTING TO
GIVE UP HARD ONE CONCESSIONS.
THEY MADE CONCESSIONS THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND NOW WAITING
TO CAPITALIZE ON THE BENEFITS THEY WERE PROMISES TWO YEARS
AGO.
THE GROWING QUESTION IS WHETHER THE UNION WILL AGREE TO POSTPONE
THE RAYS THEY WERE PROMISED TO KEEP CLASS SIZES WHERE THEY ARE.
>> Joanne: HAD YOU A STORY TODAY CREDITING THE UNION AND
CONCESSIONS OR NOT CONCESSIONS BUT HEALTHCARE COSTS.
TELL US ABOUT THAT.
>> YES THE DISTRICT SPENDS A LOT OF MONEY ON HEALTH CARE SERVES
TO EMPLOYEES.
ABOUT $170 MILLION THIS YEAR.
THEY SPEND THE MONEY THROUGH A TRUST.
THE TRUST IN QUESTION, THE DISTRICT'S RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
TRUST, IT HAS AN EXCLUSIVE DEAL WITH THE TRUST CALLED VIBA.
THEY, THEY HAVE ENJOYED IT FOR 20 YEARS.
WHAT SOME PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS PUT THAT AGREEMENT OUT TO
COMPETITIVE BID.
ONE COMPETITOR SAID THEY COULD DELIVER THE SAME SERVICE FOR TEN
MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR LESS.
THAT WOULD FREE UP MONEY TO PUT INTO CLASSROOMS AND TEACHER
SALARIES.
>> Joanne: DAVID, I KNOW IN YOUR STORY YOU POINTED OUT.
THERE ARE OTHER MEDIA REPORTS ABOUT THE UNION NOT REALLY, NOT
WILLING TO COME TO THE TABLE SO MUCH.
SO, DO YOU THINK SCOTT BARNETT SAYING INSOLVENTCY IS THIS A
CHESS MOVE AND A THREAT.
>> YES, I SAID THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO INSOLVENT THEY HAVE A PLAN
TO LAYOFF PEOPLE AND SELL REAL ESTATE.
THAT'S $122 MILLION FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR.
IT'S ABOUT 18% OF THE DISCRETIONARY BUDGET.
>> Joanne: IS THAT A REAL OPTION WITH CLASSROOMS OF 40-50 KIDS?
>> THAT'S SCOTT BARNETT'S POINT.
WHAT IS WORST, WE CAN'T HANDLE, THIS WE CAN'T GET ALONG WITH THE
UNIONS AND COME TO ANNA AGREEMENT, OR LAYING OFF THESE
PEOPLE AND DEGRADING THE QUALITY OF EDUCATION.
BILL FREEMAN THE PRESIDENT OF THE TEACHER UNION SAYS, LOOK,
THE PROBLEM IS WE'RE BUDGETING IN THE DARK.
WE DON'T KNOW THE STATE'S BUDGET.
THAT'S WHAT THIS IS ABOUT.
THE STATE DOESN'T COME UP WITH THEIR BUDGET UNTIL MAY OR JUNE.
BY THAT TIME BY STATE LAW THE DISTRICTS HAVE TO SEND OUT A
BUNCH OF PINK SLIPS TO TEACHERS THEY MELEE OFF LATER, IF THEY
FEEL THEY HAVE.
>> BILL FREEMAN SAYS WE WOULD RATHER NOT HAVE TO MAKE
CONCESSIONS NOW BEFORE WE EVEN KNOW THE STATE'S BUDGET.
>> Joanne: WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE STORY.
DAVID ROLLAND AND JEFF McDONALD THANK YOU FOR BEING
HERE.
>> Dwane: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME BEHIND THE
WHEEL.
NOW THE LA JOLLA PLAY HOUSE WANTS YOU TO SPEND A LITTLE MORE
TIME THERE AND TAKE IN A PLAY.
A LOOK AT CAR PLAYS FROM THE CULTURE DESK IN A MOMENT.
THIS IS KPBS EVENING EDITION.
>> Dwane: IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IT MAY SEEM WE SPEND HALF OF OUR
LIVES DRIVING.
NOW A SAN DIEGO THEATER IS ASKING US TO SPEND MORE TIME IN
OUR CARS WATCHING.
>> Joanne: WE GO BEHIND THE SCENE AND THE WHEEL FOR THE CAR
PLAYS.
>> BEFORE YOU EMBARK ON THIS INCREDIBLE, STRANGE, UNIQUE
JOURNEY THERE ARE FEW RULES TO CREDIT.
>> THIS GROUP OF THEATER GOERS HAVE ARRIVED AT THE LA JOLLA
PLAY HOUSE.
IT'S LIKELY THEY SPENT 15 MINUTES IN THE CAR GETTING HERE.
THEY CAME FOR AN EVENING OF THEATER.
THEY WILL GET BACK INTO A CAR, INSIDE THEY WILL FIND ACTOR
PERFORMING A SHORT PLAY IN THE SMALL SPACE THAT IS YOUR AVERAGE
AUTOMOBILE.
>> YOU KNOW EVERY AUDIENCE IS DIFFERENT.
IT'S REALLY INTERESTING RELATING TO THE AUDIENCE IN THAT CLOSE
KNIT OF A SPACE AND REALLY PLAYING OFF, YOU KNOW, THE THEME
PARTNER AND PLAYING OFF THE AUDIENCE.
>> THESE ARE THE CAR PLAYS.
A SERIES OF TEN MINUTE PLAYS PERFORMED IN CARS.
EACH AUDIENCE MEMBER GETS A TICKET WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO SEE
FIVE OF THE FIFTEEN PLAYS.
CAR HOPS ESCORT THEM FROM CAR TO CAR AND PLAY TO PLAY.
THEY WERE CREATED IN LOS ANGELES.
>> WHEN I WAS AN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF MOVING ARTS THEATER
COMPANY WE LOST OUR THEATER SPACE.
I WANTED TO KEEP THE THEATER GOING.
SO, I NEEDED TO THINK OF WAYS TO PRODUCE AND SELF GENERATE WORK
REGARDLESS OF THEATER SPACE.
>> LIKE WE PROMISED EACH OTHER 12 YEARS AGO ON OUR WEDDING DAY.
MARLA.
>> THEN I THOUGHT OF THE MOMENTS I HAVE HAD IN PARKED CARS.
I HAD MY FIRST KISS WITH MY WIFE IN A PARKED CAR IN OUR DATE.
I HAVE BEEN BROKEN UP MANY TIMES BY OTHER PEOPLE IN MY LIFE IN MY
CAR.
ALSO LOS ANGELES WITH THE DRIVING SOMETIMES YOU USE THE
CAR AS ALMOST AN ESCAPE.
>> MANY OF THE PLAYS CAPTURE INTIMATE PRIVATE MOMENTS BETWEEN
FRIENDS, LOVERS, STRANGERS.
>> OUR PLAY IS CALLED "ONE FOR THE ROAD."
IT'S ABOUT A GUY, JASON, PLAYED BY ME WHO HAS LOST HIS PARTNER
TO A DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT.
HE NEEDS TO DELIVER A EULOGY BUT HE CAN'T, HE CAN'T GET IT TO DO
IT.
THE GHOST OF HIS LOVER COMES TO HIM AND CONVINCES HIM OF WHAT HE
SHOULD DO.
>> THE ONLY THING THAT REALLY CHALLENGES ME DOING THIS FIVE
TIMES IN A SINGLE HOUR.
I THOUGHT THERE IS NO WAY.
I FIND THAT I'M A BOT MANYLESS WELL OF TEARS.
I DIDN'T THINK I WAS.
>> FOR THE ACTORS PERFORMING EACH SHORT PLAY FIVE TIMES IN A
ROW IS LIKE FIVE DIFFERENT TAKES ON A MOVIE SET.
THE ACTING SEEMS TO WORK BETTER IN A CAR THAN STAGE ACTING.
>> WE DISCOVER IN THE CAR YOU HAVE TO DO MORE CINEMATIC
ACTING.
YOU KNOW WHICH IN THE BEGINNING THAT WAS REALLY HARD.
WE HAD TO KEEP ADJUSTING BACK AND ADJUSTING BACK AND ADJUSTING
BACK.
STAGE VOICES IN A CAR ARE NOT GOOD.
>> COME ON, SMILE FOR THEM.
IT'S THEM, THEY'RE BACK, THEY'RE BACK.
SMELL, SCOUT.
SMELL.
>> ONE OF THE CAR PLAYS IS ABOUT TWO DOGS WAITING IN A CAR FOR
THEIR OWNERS TO RETURN.
IT'S CALLED "WE WAIT."
>> WE DECIDED NOT TO GO FULL BLOWN DOG.
WE DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE THEM LIKE SITTING ON THE, YOU KNOW CAR
SEATS LIKE DOGS.
THEY'RE SITTING LIKE HUMANS BUT HAVE DOG BEHAVIORS.
ONE OF THEM IS A LITTLE TERRIER DOG.
ONE IS A LAB DOG.
I SENT THEM BOTH VIDEOS OF DOGGY BEHAVIOR.
WE PICKED THINGS FROM THE VIDEOS AND TRIED TO BRING THEM TO THE
CARATSERS.
>> ARE YOU ADORABLE.
>> SOME OF THE CAR PLAYS WERE WRITTEN BY UCSD GRADUATE
STUDENTS AND MANY ARE ACTED AND DIRECTED BY LOCAL THEATER
ARTISTS.
AUDIENCES ON OPENING NIGHT SEEMED DELIGHTED BY THE
EXPERIENCE.
>> IT WAS FABULOUS.
I CAN'T SAY ENOUGH ABOUT IT.
>> IT'S CLEAR THE CAR PLAYS LEAVE AUDIENCES PLENTY TO TALK
ABOUT ON THEIR DRIVE HOME.
>> Joanne: THE CAR PLAYS WILL RUN THROUGH MARCH 11th AT LA
JOLLA PLAYHOUSE.
YOU CAN FIND TICKETS ON KPBS.ORG.
>> Dwane: SAN DIEGO NEEDS ABOUT ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO PLAY FOR
A REPLICA OF IT'S KISS STATUE ON THE WATERFRONT DOWNTOWN.
UC SAN DIEGO SAID PORT DIRECTORS ARE ABOUT TO APPROVE A
RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF BUT SOMEONE HAS TO DONATE A MILLION
DOLLARS IN THE NEXT MONTH.
IT CALLS FOR PERMANENT INSTALLATION AT THE SAME TIGHT.
THE STATUE HAS BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT FIVE YEARS.
IT'S BADLY IN NEED OF REPAIRS AND WILL LIKELY BE THERE UNTIL
MAY.
>> Joanne: WE HAVE NEW INFORMATION ON THE COST OF
PUBLIC PENSIONS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY.
THAT'S IN OUR PUBLIC SQUARE IN JUST A MOMENT.
>> Dwane: THIS IS KPBS EVENING EDITION.
>> Joanne: WELCOME BACK TO THE PUB LIB SQUARE ON KPBS EVENING
EDITION.
ON MONDAY THE SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL IS SCHEDULED TO TAKE UP
A PROPOSAL FOR A PAY RAISE.
ONE THAT IS MORE THAN DOUBLE WHAT THEY'RE ALREADY MAKING.
THE SETTING COMMISSION RECOMMENDED THE RAISES.
THE MAYOR'S SALARY WOULD GO UP TO $235,000 A YEAR.
CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WOULD GET A ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR PAY
RAISE.
THE COMMISSION SAYS THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL HAVEN'T GOTTEN A
RAISE IN NINE YEARS.
THROUGHOUT THE WEEK WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A NEW PENSION
REPORT BY THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY TAXPAYER ASSOCIATION ON THE COST
OF PUBLIC PENSIONS.
YESTERDAY CORRECTIONS WERE MADE TO THE REPORT AND WE WANT TO
SHARE THEM WITH YOU.
THE REPORT SAID DEL MAR PUBLIC PENSIONS ARE PROJECTED TO
INCREASE BY 15% NEXT YEAR.
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
THE ACTUAL PROJECTION IS ABOUT 6%.
ALSO IT SAID FIRE FIGHTERS IN ESCONDIDO DON'T CONTRIBUTE TO
PENSION FUND.
THAT'S A MISTAKE THEY CONTRIBUTE 9% OF THEIR PAYROLL.
WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU THINK INCLUDING THE PAY RAISES TO CITY
COUNCIL MEMBERS.
YOU CAN WEIGHT IN BY FOLLOWING US ON TWITTER, LIKING US ON
FACEBOOK OR SEND ME AN E-MAIL.
I MAY READ SOME OF YOUR COMMENTS ON AIR.
>> Dwane: RECAPPING TOP STORIES STATE PRISON OFFICIALS HAVE DONE
AWAY WITH NON CONVENTIONAL BEDS LAST YEAR.
BEDS WERE DOUBLE AND TRIPLE STACKED IN GYMS BECAUSE THERE
WEREN'T ENOUGH CELLS.
COURT ORDER REALIGN.
HAS REINTRODUCED PRISON POPULATION BY 9000.
IT HAS TO DROP BY ANOTHER 17,000 BY JUNE OF NEXT YEAR.
>>> AND MORE THAN A DOZEN SAN DIEGO COMPANIES HAVE MADE THE
LIST OF HIGHEST DELINQUENT TAXPAYERS.
THE STATE ALL LISTED IT NEARLY $25 MILLION.
>>> YOU CAN WATCH AND COMMENT ON THE STORIES YOU HAVE SEEN
TONIGHT ON OUR WEBSITE KPBS.ORG/EVENINGEDITION.
GOOD NIGHT.
AND WE WILL LEAVE YOU WITH A LOOK OF THE FORECAST.
A WARMER FORECAST.
GOOD NIGHT.