It’s been known to attract 60,000 people in its better years, and its best years may be just beginning. EarthFair 2008 is set for Sunday, April 20 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. at several locales along Balboa Park’s west side. The event will feature more than 200 exhibits centered on the environment and our quality of life; showcases include health and technology themes, live entertainment, a vegetarian food area and lots of earth-friendly stuff for kids.
EarthFair, mounted by about 400 volunteers, is said to be the largest free environmental event in the world. Exhibitors range from government agencies to independent wildlife groups to private individuals showcasing products made from natural and organically grown crops.
Information on organic gardening, alternative energy vehicles, ecotourism opportunities, alternative and traditional health care products and services, pet adoption services, clean air and clean water products and rainforest preservation is also on display.
The 19th annual EarthFair is produced by San Diego EarthWorks, which seeks participation in activities that increase awareness, encourage leadership and inspire action toward a healthy, prosperous and sustainable future. More information about EarthFair can be found at www.earthdayweb.org.
Bond rating: San Diego wins some, loses some
San Diego’s long-awaited return to the public borrowing market appears likely next year amid a positive sign “” the city’s fourth clean audit record in the last 13 months. Meanwhile, the city is forced to borrow $250 million privately toward the repair of several failing facilities, a procedure that will likely take place before June.
The development is important because public municipal bonds are available at lower interest rates. Presently, the city is prohibited from the bond market amid poor credit ratings stemming from a series of investigations on city finances dating to 2003. Chief among the findings were a pension deficit of more than $1 billion and the role of grant awards in certain regulatory guidelines.
Macias, Gini & O’Connell, the city’s auditor, released the letter, which focused on the city’s 2006 audit. The release of the 2007 and 2008 audits is planned before the end of this year.
Prior to Sanders taking office, the City had not issued audited financial statements for three years running.