In Touch: Summer Reading Recommendations

Ah, it’s summer. The last couple days here, it’s been feeling like summer in Florida. But summertime nonetheless and time to enjoy long days and all we love about the season in San Diego.

Many of you are taking well-earned vacations or just spending some days lounging around at the beach. There’s nothing like that downtime for diving into a book. But what to read?

Sure, we could go look up a list somewhere, but we have so many good ideas in-house, why not start here? I hit up my group of general managers and a few employees from around our departments for some reading recommendations they could share with all of us. Links are added for the titles we have in the County Library.

David Estrella, Community Services Group

One of my favorite reads is “The Grapes of Wrath.” John Steinbeck captures the struggle of so many people during a challenging time in American history. This book is still relevant today because so many people in our country continue to struggle to come out ahead.  Also, “East of Eden” has a beautiful discussion about California and rain and how we perceive our state.

Jody Bumhoffer, Registrar of Voters

A book I would recommend for a good summer read is “The Lost Key” by one of my favorite authors, Catherine Coulter. This is a nonstop FBI thriller that introduces believable and easy-to-relate-to characters, while showing the different processes the FBI agents follow to solve a crime.  The plot moves easily through the pages and it makes you feel as if you are in the scenes as the story unfolds.  It’s a page turner. 

Sarah Aghassi, Land Use and Environment Group

One of the books that has left an impression on me over the years is "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell.  It's a series of stories that provides a thought-provoking perspective on what makes individuals successful and how the environment, circumstances and opportunities in which we "grow" are just as important as intelligence and determination in achieving success.  Two aspects of the book that I reflect on frequently are first, the responsibility we have as a society to create the environment, circumstances and opportunities for more individuals to become successful; and second, how critical good communication and teamwork are to achieving success.

Michele Clock, Public Safety Group

I highly recommend the book, “The Fire Outside My Window: A Survivor Tells The True Story Of California's Epic Cedar Fire.” Written by an East County resident who awoke in the middle of the night to find the Cedar Fire racing toward her home, Sandra Millers Younger’s gripping first-hand account describes what it was like to just barely get out in time (including driving through flames). What sets this book apart is how well written it is, and also her meticulous research of the incident from all angles, including from the point of view of the first fire officials to arrive on scene. A fascinating narrative. It will motivate you to make sure you’re ready, too (readysandiego.org)!

Sarah Panfil, Clerk of the Board

I recently read "Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania" by Erik Larson. I found this historical nonfiction book to be full of information, intrigue and interesting characters just like other Erik Larson books I have read. It is a story of the ship with various perspectives of those involved in the sinking of the Lusitania during WWI in 1915.

Tracy Sandoval, Finance and General Government Group

I can't find the time for a whole book these days. If I have a few minutes, I squeeze in People magazine. A little light escape is just what I need to relax.

Vinnie Freeman, Parks and Recreation

I’m a big fan of sports stories and recommend The Echoing Green: The Untold Story of Bobby Thomson, Ralph Branca and the Shot Heard Around the World by Joshua Prager.

It’s the story of the 1951 New York Giants “miraculous” comeback season and dramatic playoff win over the Brooklyn Dodgers.  It was a feel-good story except for one thing: the Giants were able to hide a telescope in the center field clubhouse and steal the catcher’s signals, then tapped into the ballpark’s electrical system to relay the signals to the dugout through a buzzer system. The book is about a classic pennant race, two men whose lives were changed forever and the intrigue of previously undiscovered gamesmanship that puts the story in a whole new light.

Nick Macchione, Health and Human Services Agency

I just finished reading a few great books.  Here are two of them:   

1. "Simpler: The Future of Government" by Cass Sunstein.  Great book highlighting the importance of "potent simplicity" in the work we do in government.  Using the concepts of “choice architecture” and “nudges,” Sunstein states "Nudges are often the height of simplicity.” (aka Make it Easy!)

BTW: Sunstein also co-authored the book on "Nudge." Another great read. 

2. "Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End" by Atul Gawande.  Offers a fresh perspective on the emerging role of medicine from sick care to helping people live well all the way to the end of life. Great complement to our work with Live Well San Diego.

Giang Nguyen, Health and Human Services Agency

“The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This is a classic! I consider it sort of a bedtime story for adults – super easy read. Barnes & Noble describes it as “a whimsical story with a fairy tale feel” and it shows one portrayal of “the secret of what is important in life.” It’s something that would be great to read with your children. My parents gave me the book on my sixteenth birthday, and I loved it!

Ron Lane, Public Safety Group

I would recommend, “George Washington’s Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior.” More of a pamphlet than a book, these rules provide great advice from the father of our country. While some of the rules don’t translate well (I hope) to the 21^st century, like rule #13 “Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others,” most of the rules, such as rule #6, ”Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace” provide good advice, and the world would be a better place if more people abided by them.

Helen here again. Certainly some variety in those suggestions. As for me, my reading list this summer is the Century Trilogy by Ken Follett. Nothing on work! I just finished the first, “Fall of Giants” and am about to start the second, “Winter of the World.” The third is due out in September “Edge of Eternity.” It’s historical fiction starting with World War I running through the Cold War. 

Summer is often a time to explore, and I love how we don’t have to go any farther than a good chair to let reading take our minds new places. That makes our lives richer, and fresh perspectives are some of the best souvenirs we can bring back to work. Whether you’re reading, taking a road trip, barbecuing with friends and family, or otherwise enjoying the season, I hope you all have a wonderful summer.

Wellness is Also About Being Prepared

Wellness is so much more than eating right and getting in exercise. Holly Crawford, director of the Office of Emergency Services, and Assistant Sheriff Tim Curran, give some tips on how important safety is to wellness. Find out how you can prepare your family.

Kronos is Changing! 6 Things to Know

In ancient Greece, Chronos was the unchanging master of time.

To us? Kronos is the master of time — cards! But unlike the Greek version, our Kronos is getting some changes.

They’ll be here July 2. You may have already noticed hints of the upcoming changes. For example, if you’ve tried to access Kronos this week, you’ve seen a big “Stop” sign on the website. And your computers may have interrupted your work to let you know they were installing a new version of Java, which the Kronos upgrade needs to operate.

In any case, here are six tips to help you handle the Kronos rollout.

1. Wait for It …. No one can access the new Kronos site until 6 a.m. Thursday, so be patient; it’s on its way!

2. New URL; Old Bookmarks, Favorites Won’t Work: Kronos will have a new internet address, or URL. If you bookmarked Kronos’ old address or made it a “favorite” on your browser, it will no longer work. The “Kronos” link in the “Top Links” box of the InSite home page will have the new link. You can save the address after visiting.

3. Same Password: Your current password will work on the new Kronos site. If you can’t remember your password, call the County Help Desk at 888-298-1222 or 858-573-3938. (Employees at the District Attorney’s offices, call 619-515-5012; at the Sheriff’s Department, call 858-571-4211; and SDCERA employees call 619-515-5012.)

4. Security Questions: When you first access the new Kronos system, you will be asked to create/answer a number of security questions — similar to those used on a lot of other websites. (Mother’s maiden name; high school mascot; first car …)

5. New Look: Once you’re in, Kronos will look a little different. The main screen that you’re used to seeing is still there, but there will be an added menu tab located to the right with links to time off requests (an optional use depending upon your department), reports, links and a feature that will let you change your password.

6. There’s Help Out There: There are trainings for the new system available on our Learning Management System. Just log into the LMS and search for Kronos. Look for courses on version 7. You can also take refresher courses if you want.

And of course, there’s always the Help Desk (if you have general password/ Java /accessibility problems, call your respective Help Desk numbers) and your departmental Human Resources/ Payroll office for Kronos-specific questions like timecard entries, accruals, etc. 

MORE: Frequently Asked Questions

Vista Jail Nurse Responded to Fatal Military Crash

Vista Detention Facility Supervising Nurse Arnold Fajayan sprang into action to help Marines injured in a military helicopter crash.

Supervising nurse Arnold Fajayan, assigned to the Vista Detention Facility, was celebrating his daughter’s graduation from the University of Hawaii with a planned family picnic on the beach on May 17 -- when he suddenly witnessed a nearby military helicopter crash.

Fajayan started working for the County 14 months ago, after retiring from the U.S. Navy as a registered nurse attached to the Marine Corps while on deployments.

On that day, he recalled seeing the Marine Osprey helicopters doing touch down exercises on a nearby base and then one helicopter went up but came back down again at a tilt.

“Eventually, it started to plummet and that’s when I saw the smoke, the debris and parts of the propeller fly up in the air,” he said. “That’s when I started running over to the crash site.”

Fajayan said he reached a fenced area and was met by some airmen who had responded. He told them he was a retired Navy nurse and they told him to climb over the fence. Other responding lifeguards and airmen had already pulled out three or four Marines, and he immediately began tending to one. The helicopter Marine unit was assigned to Camp Pendleton and its troops were training in Hawaii before deploying to Afghanistan.

The young Marine Fajayan assisted would eventually perish from his injuries, one of two Marines killed in the crash, but in that moment Fajayan thought it was possible he might recover if he could get him to a hospital quickly. The Marine, who had celebrated his 21st birthday only days prior, was breathing a little easier after Fajayan inserted a nasal airway, but Fajayan was still concerned about the head injury he’d suffered.

A surgeon and active duty Air Force major who had also responded offered up his vehicle to take the injured to the hospital and Fajayan got his patient loaded into the vehicle and rode with him to the hospital, where he later died.

“It was an honor to be in that place at that moment and to be able to provide assistance to that young Marine,” Fajayan said.

Fajayan said the moment was intense and brought a lot of his memories of serving in Afghanistan to the forefront. 

“As I approached the crash site, I felt the heat and smelled the smoke and the debris, the dirt and dust still flying up in the air so I got that sense of entering a battle-type environment,” he said. “It was emotional and physical.

 “Your focus is on helping the injured and the commitment to just go help without taking into regard safety for your own,” he said. “Once I got there and saw the injuries, it brought back the type of injuries that I’ve seen in Afghanistan from IEDs and gunshot wounds.”

Fajayan said in the moment, that emotion is set aside, but it does settle in afterward. It caused him to reflect back on his military career and the trauma he’s witnessed. Yet ultimately, he felt honored not only to have helped the Marine last May, but also to have been a member of the military and to be able to help injured troops and civilians. His supervisor says the actions are one more example of what she sees regularly on the job.

"Arnold's willingness to help is evidenced every day at work.  The fact that he responded to someone in need while on vacation, does not surprise me in the least. He is a real asset to Medical Services Division and I am personally very proud of him," said Nancy Booth, Sheriff's Detention's Director of Nursing. 

AAACE Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Juneteenth

Submitted by Kimberly Pettiford

On June 19, the African-American Association of County Employees (AAACE) employee resource group celebrated the 150^th Anniversary of Juneteenth at the County Operations Center. Juneteenth is the observance of the abolishment of slavery in the United States. This year’s national Juneteenth theme, "Building Upon Our History, Creating a Brighter Future," was also a call to action for AAACE.

The employee resource group chose to commemorate sesquicentennial celebration by bringing together former San Diego County Supervisor Leon Williams and retired San Diego County executive trailblazer Cecil Steppe with current County executives Marie Brown-Mercadel and Mack Jenkins and Dale Fleming—our connections to the past and future.

The Juneteenth celebration increased people’s knowledge about this historical event and its impact on African American culture. It also brought an enhanced awareness of how current San Diego community members and County leadership have contributed to this rich history. And foremost, the event inspired everyone to continue to grow as individuals.  For more information about the event and AAACE visit www.aaace-cosd.org.

CAO Helen Robbins-Meyer, Chief Probation Officer Mack Jenkins and Deputy Director of HHSA Marie Brown-Mercadel

Lettuce Honor the Salad Cook-Off Winners

Eight County employees competed in a live culinary competition on Thursday to celebrate the start of the summer season and Employee Wellness. The Summer Slam Salad Cook-Off Contest at the County Operations Center proved that salads with fresh ingredients can be both healthy and delicious.

Each contestant created a dish made with colorful produce provided by the farmers market stand and had just 30 minutes to “shop,” prepare and plate their meal. The contenders used crisp lettuces, juicy strawberries, buttery avocadoes and dozens of other farm-fresh fixings. Extra ingredients, including dressings and cheeses, were also available for the gourmet group.

A panel of judges then tasted the fare and declared a winner. Here are the best of the best:

#1 Virginia Exner

#2 Maria Adame-Chavez

#3 Ebony Rice (tie)

#3 Jennifer Winfrey (tie)

#4 Chakecia Rhone

#5 Megan Shea

#6 Maria Lourdes Beck

#7 Ranel Velasquez

The “celebrity” judges were COC cafeteria manager Javier Almanza, COC property manager Kathleen Devlin, DHR Benefits Manager Elaine Pitpit and Diana Bishop with Kaiser.

The winning salad included strawberries, dried cranberries, almonds and orange wedge slices topped with a vinaigrette dressing.

Virginia Exner’s Salad Recipe

Salad Ingredients:

• 3 cups basil - torn up
• 1 package strawberries (approximately  20 berries) - sliced
• 2 avocados - cubed into bite size pieces
• 1 handful of dried cranberries
• 1 small yellow bell pepper- sliced into thin slivers
• ½ cup crumbled brie cheese or blue cheese
• 1 handful almonds - chopped into small pieces
• 1 lime
• 6 mint leaves
• ½ orange- prepared in wedge slices

Dressing Ingredients:

• ½ orange
• 1/3 cup grape seed oil (or any light olive oil of choice)
• 3 tablespoons dark vinegar or prepared vinaigrette (Serrano Pepper Honey Vinaigrette)
• 3 tablespoons honey

Directions:

1. Prepare dressing by mixing oil, vinaigrette and honey. Squeeze juice from half of the orange into the dressing and set aside.
2. Toss together basil, avocado, strawberries, cranberries, cheese and peppers in large salad bowl. Set aside 5 or 6 strawberries and 5 or 6 avocado wedges for garnish.
3. Mix in dressing to lightly cover all ingredients.
4. Sprinkle almonds on top and squeeze a little lime juice over the salad.
5. Garnish each serving with orange wedge, strawberry, avocado slice and mint sprig.
6. Have fun!

Learn more about the Employee Wellness Program on Insite.

Determination Forms Bond Over Bucket List Item

Laura Zetmeir, right, a protective services supervisor for HHSA's Child Welfare Services, and her 70-year-old father, left, ran the 21-mile version of the Big Sur International Marathon together. Running the race was on her father's bucket list.

There was no stopping Laura Zetmeir.

Not a bulging disc. Not a pinched nerve. Not even the suggestion from her doctor that she take a break from running.

Zetmeir, a protective services supervisor for HHSA’s North Inland Child Welfare Services, was determined to help her 70-year-old father check running a marathon off his bucket list.

The two of them ran and finished the 21-mile version of the Big Sur International Marathon.

“I had done several half-marathons so this was kind of the next step,” said Zetmeir. “I figured if my dad can do it and he’s 70, I should be able to do it.

“It was on his bucket list and he said, ‘I don’t want to do this alone will you come do it with me?’ and how could I say no to that when he’s challenging me to do something and he’s 70?”

Her dad had been running since he was in his 30s, but Zetmeir had only taken up running about three or four years ago.

Her training for the run was severely hampered by the bulging disc and pinched nerve in her arm.

“The furthest I was able to run was 12 miles, but that was six weeks before the run,” she said. “I had run a little since then but the doctor advised me not to run (such a long distance).

“But there was no way I wasn’t going to do the race, even if I had to walk the whole thing.”

One of the photos Laura Zetmeir took while she was running in the Big Sur International Marathon. The course ran along the Pacific Coast Highway

Zetmeir said the scenery for the race was incredible and many runners stop periodically to take photos. The 21-mile course follows the Pacific Coast Highway from Andrew Molera State Park to Carmel.

“The first 13 miles I was stopping and taking pictures, but after that it was like, ‘I don’t care where I am just get me to the finish line.’

Among the beautiful coastline views for runners of the Big Sur International Marathon, they were entertained by a pianist playing Chariots of Fire on a baby grand piano as they ran by.“There was a piano player playing a baby grand on a cliff,” she said. “That was by far the highlight. He was playing Chariots of Fire as we were running by.”

She finished the race in just under five hours and her father was only 20 minutes behind her. They were cheered at the finish line by her husband, 8-year-old twins and her mother. She was also greeted by several text messages from co-workers.

“Hopefully I’ve inspired somebody,” she said.  “At least one person!”

Since the race, she’s been running on a treadmill about five days a week as her injuries continue to heal. She’s trying to make sure she’s 100 percent by the time fall soccer season comes around.

“I haven’t been able to play because of my injuries but I’m hoping to go back in September,” Zetmeir said. “You can get out your aggressions in soccer and it helps with the job stress.”

Laura Zetmeir posed along the Pacific Ocean coastline as she ran in the Big Sur International Marathon recently.More of the incredible scenery for runners at the Big Sur International Marathon course follwed the Pacific Coast Highway.

Free Emergency Supplies Available to Employees

Having a plan to survive during a disaster is critical for all County residents, but it’s especially important for you as a County employee. Our employees are disaster service workers by law. You may be asked to help during an emergency in a role outside of your normal job. 

Over the next month, all County employees will be asked to take a few simple steps to make sure you and your family are prepared: make a plan, build an emergency kit, sign up for text and phone alerts and get involved.

Each week during the month of July, you’ll get information by email and on InSite to help you complete each of the four preparedness steps, and we’ll help get you started.

Come to the County Operations Center Thursday, June 25 to get a free starter emergency supply kit (while supplies last). You’ll receive a container, flashlight, first aid kit and whistle to start off your “go kit.” The event will take place in the courtyard by the Commons from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Employees can also get a family disaster plan and register for AlertSanDiego to receive emergency messages on their home and cell phones.

In addition to being more prepared, you could win a deluxe emergency kit for your efforts. The kit includes a two-person tent, two sleeping bags, radio, first aid kit and more. To be entered into the drawing, check the item(s) you’ve completed on this form and submit it by Aug. 7:

• By email, send scanned copy to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

• By interoffice mail, send to MS A-359.

• Or submit, on InSite (SDCERA, Sheriff and DA can visit here). Look for the Go Kit campaign link.

You can also encourage other employees by sharing your story. Send us photos of you and your family getting ready for an emergency – putting together your kit, standing at your family’s emergency meeting location or any of the other steps—and we may use it on InSite! Email them to communications@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Employees Unveil Live Well San Diego Mural

Employees at the HHSA Lemon Grove Family Resource Center and document processing center will see a new Live Well San Diego mural on their way into work every morning. The FRC's House Committee commissioned the work from local artist Lisa Ordaz of Carlsbad. "The Live Well San Diego intiative is not just about the County of San Diego, it's about our families, our friends, our communities and supporting the role we play everyday in building healthy, safe and thriving communities," said Marie Brown-Mercadel, HHSA east region general manager. "This mural really represents the work we've been doing the past five years."

The new Live Well San Diego mural was unveiled during a reception at the Lemon Grove Family Resource Center and document processing center.

Libraries Empower Communities

This Live Well San Diego Champion makes sure communities have the resources they need to grow educationally.