I know a lot of us, myself included, are feeling extra conscious about fire danger right now following the Montezuma Fire. At any time of year, but especially right now, it's of utmost importance that we are prepared for and are vigilant against fire threats.

For that reason, a few months back I shared a couple of videos that I recorded with firefighters to help you have the best tips on staying safe and prepared for fire season. Those videos contain lots of helpful information that can help you and your family be ready in case of the worst.

The first video we released was about defensible space and "zone zero" with Assistant Fire Marshal Dan Hypes, who filled us in about how to make sure that we don't have combustible items or materials in the zone from zero to five feet away from our homes.

According to Hypes, the latest research tells us that this area -- which he also refers to as the "home ignition zone" -- is critically important to protecting our homes. Watch that video on my Instagram feed here.

The second video we released was with Battalion Chief Shimoguchi about how to be prepared in case of a fire by doing things like practicing exit routes, having a rendezvous point outside the home, and making sure your smoke alarms are functioning properly. You can find that video here.

And as always, you can find more tips on the Fire Department's website under their "Ready, Set, Go" plan.

Together, by taking common sense fire safety measures, we can ensure that we have minimized our fire danger and are ready in case of an emergency.

Last holiday season, my family and I were in a serious car accident caused by an intoxicated driver who fled the scene. It was one of the most frightening moments of my life -- but thankfully, because our son Rafael’s car seat was properly installed, he is here to tell the tale. (The 'tale' is him clapping excitedly when we blow bubbles, but still).

As we enter this year’s holiday season, I want to urge all parents of young children to ensure their car seats are installed correctly. That’s why I’ve partnered with AMR, one of our local ambulance providers, to offer free car seat inspections for District 7 residents on Saturday, November 16, 2024 from 10AM - 12PM.

Space is very limited, so please sign up for a time slot here. The location will be provided via email upon RSVP before the event.

This Mayor and City Council have expanded the shelter system because showing compassion to the less fortunate among us means bringing them off the street and into care and housing.

However, we also need to be sure to invest in strategies that help us stop homelessness before it starts. That’s why I used CPPS (Community Projects, Programs, and Services) funds to support the Foster Futures Program, which provides financial assistance and supportive services to people who have recently exited the foster care system.

Blake Nelson of the U-T wrote a good breakdown of what the Foster Futures Program does and how it’s helping people stay housed; you can read it here!

As a former fifth grade teacher and a City Councilmember who deeply cares about uplifting San Diegan families, I have worked hard to make quality childcare more accessible and affordable. That’s why I appreciated this Union-Tribune article recently about places where you can work remotely and bring your kids with you.

It shouldn’t be as hard as it is for many people to have children and hold down a career at the same time. That tension causes so many people to have to choose between being a parent and being a productive member of the workforce. That shouldn’t be a choice that folks have to make.

These sorts of work/play hybrid places make it a little easier on San Diegan parents, which is why I’m sharing this article with you now. If you do decide to try out one of these spots, let me know what you think!

As a hiker myself, I always love sharing the Hike of the Week column in the Union-Tribune when it runs through D7. This one is a nice hike that goes through Tecolote Canyon between Linda Vista, Clairemont, and Bay Park. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Always proud to support the preservation of our outdoor spaces.