NOVEMBER 24, 2019SUNDAY

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S U N DAY

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OAKLAND BY RAIL In Local:Editorials

Obituaries

Navy Secretary RichardSpencer said Saturday that hewould comply with any order byPresident Donald Trump regard-ing the case of aNavy SEALwhosecontinuance in the elite unit is be-ing reviewed by the service after acontroversialmurder charge.

However, at the Halifax Inter-national Security Forum in NovaScotia, Canada, where he is a key-note speaker, Spencer said hedoesn’t consider a tweet byTrumpan order and would need a formalorder tostopareviewofChiefPettyOfficer Edward Gallagher, whofacesthe lossofhisstatusasaNavySEAL.

“I need a formal order to act,”Spencer said, and referred to thetweet posted Thursday by Trump.“I don’t interpret (tweets) as a for-mal order.”

The statement came asSpencer denied a NewYork Timesreport Saturday that he and RearAdm.CollinGreen had threatenedto resign or be fired if Trump inter-

SEE NAVY • A7

SECRETARYOF NAVY:TRUMP’STWEET NOTAN ORDERSpencer, SEAL leadersaid to be challengingintervention in reviewsU-T NEWS SERVICES

Formore thanhalf a decade thestate Legislature has churned outscores of bills and new initiativesaimed at disassembling a vastcriminal justice system built overnearly 40 years on tough-on-crimelaws that increased punishmentsand swelled state prison popula-tions.

The blizzard of new laws hasput the state at the leading edge ofthe national criminal justice re-form movement that aims at re-versing mass incarceration poli-cies by reducing prison sentences,opting for rehabilitation over puni-shment, and mandating new ap-proaches to policing and prose-cution.

Yet since the start of the re-forms in 2011, when theLegislaturepassed a law known as public safe-ty realignment that reconfiguredthe state penal system and kept

CRIMINALJUSTICEREFORMSSLOW TOTAKE HOLDSome prosecutors,judges oppose twomajor bills in particularBY GREGMORAN

SEE REFORMS • A8

CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico

As the crew of the StellaJunedug intoplates ofAsian fusion at theChubby Noodle onsleepy Paseo del la

Marina, captain Evan Salvay ranfingers through hair shaped by aday’s worth of salt water, wind,broiling sunand spiking anxiety.

The 27-year-old had riddenboth sides of the exhilarating andsometimes cruel waves at theBis-bee’s Black and Bluemarlin tour-nament, the richest sportfishingchase on the planet. A year ago, afish thepart-timePointLomaandHuntington Beach residentlanded translated to just over $3million.Twoyears ago, apotential$1 million catch was edged by 14

keting ploy and sun-soaked taxdeductionhatchedbythe lateBobBisbee,whoownedafueldockandtackle store in Newport Beach.Theuniqueundertakinggrewintoa bait-chasing behemoth, luringanglers such as television’s Dr.Phil, the late actor Jan-MichaelVincent,mixedmartial artist TitoOrtiz and four-time Indianapolis500 winner Rick Mears to join in-ternational teams sprinkled fromIsrael toSouthAfrica.

For three days eachOctober, ittransforms into Las Vegas on wa-ter— boasting a record $4,591,950in prize money this year, dangledat the end of fishing lines extend-ing from126boats.

One year, a vessel caught fireandsank justamile intothethree-day tournament. Another year,participants refused to abandonthe beachside awards dinnerwhen a storm tide rushed in, con-tinuing todrinkat tableswith legssubmerged. There was a down-town bar crawl on local firetrucksas organizers flung beads MardiGras-style. Last year, a Louisiana

the dock. The estimated payoutfor the day’s biggest catch ebbedaround$1.23million.

The glazed ribs? The salt andpepper shrimp? The thought offoodnauseatedSalvay.

“I can’t eat, dude,” he said.The Bisbee’s began as a mar-

pounds as the paycheck plum-meted…to $7,020.

In this year’s tournament, theStella June caught a 466-poundblack marlin that held up as theday’s best for hours on end. Twoandahalf blocksaway, theonly re-maining fish toweighwas nearing

The weighing of marlin is a momentous occasion each day of the Bisbee’s Black and Blue marlin tournament in Cabo San Lucas,Mexico, because the difference of a few pounds can turn a potential $1 million catch into one worth several thousand dollars.

JOHN GIBBINS U-T PHOTOS

I N D E P T H

Fishing for a big payday

A year behind schedule andmillions of dol-lars over budget, an ambitious plan by regionalofficials to build a sophisticated network of bi-cycle lanesandpedestriancrossingshasprovenmore complicated than first anticipated.

Obstacles include everything from neigh-borhoodoutrageat the lossofparkingspaces tothe technical challenges of overhauling streetsdesignedprimarily for cars.

The SanDiego Association of Governments—the agencyundertaking thenow-$279millionproject — has found itself in the crosshairs offrustrated groups on all sides of the issue, frombusiness associations to homeowners to sup-porters of cycling.

The issue has become so contentious that anumberofprominentbicycleadvocates refusedto go on record for this story, citing the fear ofreprisal by neighborhood groups. Severalelected officials also declined requests for

BIKE LANE CREATION ON A PEDESTRIAN PACEAmbitious program for the region is $79 million over budget and a year behind scheduleBY JOSHUA EMERSON SMITH

A construction crew builds the Rose Canyon Bikeway alongSanta Fe Street, adjacent to Interstate 5. That portion of the$279 million infrastructure project has proceeded smoothly.

DENIS POROY

SEE BIKING • A15

UNWRAP IDEASFORGREATGIFTSINSIDE: The Union-Tribune presents its annualHoliday Gift Guide, 28 pages of ideas for uniquegift-giving, seasonal activities andmore.

Stella June Captain Evan Salvay (left) and Seth Dubois reactas their 466-pound black marlin is weighed.

Hundreds converge inCabo to chase marlinand the potential ofmillion-dollar catchesBY BRYCEMILLER

SEE IN DEPTH • A16

22 THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE SUNDAY • NOVEMBER 24, 2019

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LIGHT UP YOUR HOLIDAYSEASON WITH AHORNBLOWER CRUISE.

For the adventurous elves,a whale watching cruise.For every other occasion,a festive dinner or brunchcruise. Whatever thereason, take a minute toenjoy the sights and soundsof the holidays on the water.

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Visit Hornblower.com/uniontribuneor call 855-666-8450for reservations.

SAN DIEGO NEWPORT BEACH MARINA DEL REY LONG BEACH SAN FRANCISCO NEW YORK

HOLIDAY EVENTS

Christmas is about a month away. We’re busilymaking shopping lists and checking themtwice, planning holiday dinners for friends

and family or spending a day at a nearby tree lot orfarm picking out that perfect Christmas tree. Butthere’s one thing we can all share together: annualcommunity tree lighting ceremonies. Some are alsohosting menorah lightings to mark the eight-dayJewish holiday of Hanukkah. Here is a list of someof the major neighborhood gatherings — organizedby region and then by date. They are free and opento the public.

Central San DiegoSeaWorld San Diego: Guests of themarine park can gather at Rudolph’sChristmastown at 5 p.m. through Jan.5 for the lighting of the park’s HappiestChristmas Tree. Rudolph (and his shinynose) and friends lead a sing-alongceremony, illuminating the 40-foot,animated tree, which dances andtwinkles to classic songs from thenostalgic “Rudolph the Red-NosedReindeer” TV special. In addition to thetree lighting, SeaWorld’s ChristmasCelebration also features Santa’sChristmas Village, “Clyde & Seamore’sChristmas Special” sea lion and ottershow and more. The Christmas Cele-bration festivities, including the treelighting, are included with park admis-sion. 500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego.(619) 222-4732. seaworldsandiego.com

Bankers Hill: The 22nd annual HolidayLighting Display at The Forward House(Bankers Hill mansion built in 1905 forSan Diego Mayor John Forward Sr.)begins at 5 p.m. Thanksgiving Day.Santa will be making a pre-Christmasstop in his sleigh on Dec. 7 from 5:30to 8:30 p.m., and all visitors willreceive a candy cane. Walk or drive byfrom 5 to 10 p.m. nightly through NewYear’s Eve. 108 Ivy St., five blocks westof Balboa Park and three blocks southof Laurel Street. (619) 533-7900.AmericanSecurityMortgage.net

La Jolla: La Valencia Hotel’s annualTree Lighting and Holiday Party will beheld Dec. 5 in the La Sala Lounge withwarm holiday beverages, homemadecookies, classic carols and children’scrafts. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with treelighting countdown at 6:30 p.m. 1132Prospect St. (858) 424-0771.

Point Loma: Gather around the 88-foot

Norfolk Pine tree for the lighting of thetree at 6:15 p.m. Nov. 29 at LibertyStation, North Promenade, 2848Dewey Road, San Diego. From 4 to 9p.m., there will be live entertainment,festive firetruck rides, free pictureswith Santa, food vendors, a screeningof “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,”and ice skating at Rady Children’s IceRink in Central Promenade will beopen all evening. libertystation.com

Christmas on the Prado: The sixthannual family-oriented and charity toydrive (not affiliated with Balboa Park’sDecember Nights) will be held from 1to 8 p.m. Nov. 30, with a Christmastree lighting at Spreckels OrganPavilion, 2125 Pan American Road E.,San Diego, and from noon to 4 p.m. atthe International Cottages’ MusicStage, 2191 Pan American Road W.,San Diego. Bring an unwrapped toy forthe Toys for Tots Toy Drive. christma-sontheprado.com

Pacific Beach: Christmas on CrystalPier takes place from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec.7 with Santa and Mrs. Claus, followedby the lighting of the pier tree atsunset. Pictures are $10, or $5 with adonation of school supplies. paci-ficbeach.org/event/pacific-beach-christmas

Ocean Beach: The Ocean Beach TownCouncil hosts its 39th annual OceanBeach Holiday Parade on Dec. 7. Itkicks off at 5:05 p.m. down NewportAvenue and includes the lighting of theChristmas tree. obtowncouncil.org

South Park: The Holiday Walkabout &Tree Lighting will take place all in thesame day starting at 5:30 p.m. Dec. 7at Grape Street Square, San Diego. Liveentertainment, complimentary treatsand special offers. southparksd.com

Hillcrest: Mama’s Kitchen and VillageHillcrest host its annual Tree of LifeTree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m. Dec.1 at 3965 Fifth Ave., San Diego. Theevent includes a candlelight vigil andsinging and sharing. (619) 233-6262.mamaskitchen.org

Little Italy: At 6:30 p.m. Dec. 7, gatheraround as the now permanent,more-than-25-foot-tall live tree lightsup the Piazza della Famiglia on WestDate and India streets. Nearby, in thePiazza Basilone, a brand new 25-foottall Christmas tree designed byCalifornia artist Joshua Hubert willdazzle like a disco ball with all differ-ent colors all night long. A ChristmasVillage will be open from 4 to 8 p.m.littleitalysd.com

Coronado: Celebrate 131 years of aholiday legend as the Hotel delCoronado lights the menorah tocelebrate the eight nights of Hanukkahfrom Dec. 22 to Dec. 29 in the lobbyat 1500 Orange Ave. CelebrateHanukkah on Dec. 26 at “Chanukah onIce” at Skating by the Sea, with aspecial skating session, menorahlighting and Hanukkah treats, hostedby the Chabad of Coronado.hoteldel.com/events/chanukah

Point Loma: Liberty Station will host aHanukkah Celebration and MenorahLighting from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 22.Check the website for details.bit.ly/34egUk1

Coronado: The 44th annual HolidayParade and Open House kicks off theseason with the Christmas Paradealong Orange Avenue at 6 p.m. Dec. 6,followed by the Christmas tree lightingand Santa’s arrival at Rotary Plaza,1100 Orange Ave. coronadochamber-.com

Balboa Park: The tree at the OrganPavilion will be lit around 6:15 p.m.Dec. 6 during December Nights’opening ceremony. sandiego.gov/december-nights

Coronado: Naval Base Coronadopresents a Holiday Concert & TreeLighting Dec. 8 at North Island NavalAir Station, Lowry Theater, 650 McCainBlvd. The concert starts at 7 p.m.,followed by the tree lighting at 8:15p.m. A Christkindlmarket will be openfrom 3 to 7 p.m. (619) 437-3190.sandiego.navylifesw.com

East CountyLa Mesa: Grossmont Center will LightUp the Holidays with a giant Christ-

mas tree lighting in Center Court at 4p.m. Nov. 29. Families can visit andtake a photo with St. Nick at Santa’sHut from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec.23. 5500 Grossmont Center Drive, LaMesa. grossmontcenter.com

El Cajon: The annual Holiday Lights onMain Street will be held from 1 to 7p.m. Nov. 30 at Prescott Promenade. Aspecial tree lighting ceremony takesplace at 6 p.m. at the corner of MainStreet and Magnolia Avenue. There’s aSanta Village with ice skating, carnivalrides, vendors, holiday music, food andSanta Claus. downtownelcajon.com

Julian: The mountain community’sannual Country Christmas Tree Lightingkicks off the season at 5:30 p.m. Nov.30 at Pioneer Park, 2811 WashingtonSt. (760) 765-1857. visitjulian.com

Lakeside: The 21st annual Spirit ofChristmas celebration includes atree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m. Dec. 7on Maine Avenue. Activities take placefrom 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. and includelocal area school performances, food,kids’ activities, craft booths and photoswith Santa. bit.ly/2Pi1dEe

Ramona: The 27th annual ChristmasTree Lighting happens at 6 p.m. Dec. 7in front of the Guy B. WoodwardMuseum, 645 Main St. Family-friendlyevents such as sleigh rides, a classiccar display, carolers, visits with Santaand a “Find the Elf” contest will beheld from 5 to 8 p.m. ramonachamber-.com

Alpine: The Alpine Mountain EmpireChamber of Commerce hosts theannual tree lighting from 6 to 7:30 p.m.Nov. 30 at the Historic Town Hall, 2156Alpine Blvd, Alpine. The 24th annualVillage Christmas Parade of Lights andSnow Festival kicks off Dec. 6 with aparade at 6:30 p.m. at Alpine Boule-vard, from West Victoria Drive andTavern Road, ending at the AlpineCreek Town Center, 1347 Tavern Road,where the celebration continues withsnow sledding, kids’ activities andvendors. visitalpine.org/special-events

Lemon Grove: Mayor Racquel Vasquezwill light the Community Bonfire at 6p.m. Dec. 6 at Civic Center Park, 3200Main St. Event attractions will be at thepark from 4 to 8 p.m., including livemusic, food trucks, vendors, a KidsZone, spaghetti-eating contest and uglysweater contest, hot chocolate andcookies. (619) 825-3815. lem-ongrove.ca.gov

Alpine: Children’s Nature Retreat will

host its annual lighting of the Christ-mas tree at 4 p.m. Dec. 15 at 5178Japatul Spur. Enjoy some hot chocolateand cookies, and visit with the animalsall dressed in their finest coats andready to celebrate the holiday season.Included with admission price. Reser-vations: (619) 320-4942. childrensna-tureretreat.org

South BayBonita: The Bonita Museum andCultural Center presents its annual TreeLighting festivities from 5 to 7 p.m.Dec. 14 at 4355 Bonita Road. (619)267-5141. Activities include crafts,cookie decorating, cider, music andSanta Claus. bonitahistoricalsociety.org

National City: The 12th annual AKimball Holiday will be held from 3 to9 p.m. Dec. 14 at Kimball Park, E. 12thSt., National City. Winter activitiesinclude ice skating and sledding, trainrides, food trucks, entertainment, aFerris wheel and a tree lighting. (619)336-4290. bit.ly/330dsJL

North InlandFallbrook: Along with the annualHoliday Tree Lighting, there’s music,face painting, games, food, balloonartists and more. 5 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 6at the Fallbrook Community Center, 341Heald Lane. (760) 728-1671. fallbrook-communitycenterfriends.org

San Marcos: The annual Tree Lightingand Vendor Market takes place from 1to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at the San MarcosCivic Center, 3 Civic Center Drive. Theevent includes free festive crafts andactivities, as well as vendors sellingtheir wares and snacks. Entertainmentwill be featured in the courtyard. Santawill light the San Marcos tree at 5:35p.m. bit.ly/2PipfPs

Escondido: The annual Winter Wonder-land Festival at the California Centerfor the Arts, Escondido, will be from 3to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 at 340 N. EscondidoBlvd. There will be carolers, children’scrafts, holiday-themed entertainers, livereindeer and Santa. At dusk, the LyricCourt will be illuminated with thou-sands of twinkling lights to usher in theholiday season. (800) 988-4253.artcenter.org

Carmel Valley: The Village at PacificHighlands Ranch hosts a tree lightingceremony and holiday festivities from 5to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 in the Village

Square, 13490 Pacific HighlandsRanch Parkway. Highlights include livemusic, free photos with Santa, trainrides and holiday treats. phrvillage-.com

Vista: Vista Village welcomes visitorsto WinterFest from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 8at Vista Village Complex, 25 Main St.Activities include live entertainmentand music, roaming mariachis, holidaymovies, ugly sweater contest, home-made tamales competition, a holidaymarketplace, visits with Santa and atree lighting ceremony. bit.ly/32Z5eBh

Poway: A community tree lightingkicks off Christmas in the Park at 5:15p.m. Dec. 14 at Old Poway Park, 14134Midland Road. Carolers, live music,horse-drawn hay and pony rides, visitswith Santa and other activities will beheld from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. (858)668-4576. poway.org

North CoastalCarlsbad: The 17th annual “TheLighting of the Forum” will be heldfrom 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 30 at The ForumCarlsbad, 1923 Calle Barcelona. Aholiday tree lighting ushers in theseason just after Santa’s arrival at7:20 p.m., followed by a light showand magical snowfall. Free refresh-ments, prize drawings and musicalperformances are part of the event.(760) 479-0166. eventsforumcarlsbad-.com

Carlsbad: Omni La Costa Resort &Spa, 2100 Costa Del Mar Road,welcomes the holiday season withCarols of Carlsbad and Tree LightingDec. 7. Festivities run from 3 to 8 p.m.and include a holiday market, liveperformance, cookie decorating, hotchocolate and cider, and a visit fromskydiving Santa (weather permitting).(760) 438-9111.

Encinitas: San Diego Botanic Gardenwill illuminate 37 acres of flora,including pine trees, pony tail palmsand aloes, dragon trees and bamboo,with more than 125,000 sparklinglights during its Botanic WonderlandHoliday Nights in the Garden. There’snightly entertainment, visits withSanta, holiday crafts, twinkling lighttunnel, dazzling 10-foot poinsettiatower, a musical light show and a KidsFun Zone with nightly “snowfall.”There’s a food truck court, a beer, wineand mulled wine garden, hot choco-late, coffee and more. Visitors canstop by from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 3-8,10-15,17-23 and 26-30 at 230 QuailGardens Drive, Encinitas. sdbgarde-n.org

Encinitas: Santa will light the Christ-mas tree at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 at theLumberyard courtyard (near Star-bucks), 937 S. Coast Highway 101,followed by a holiday parade at 5:30p.m. along the 101. (760) 633-2760.bit.ly/2pUMepa

Carlsbad: The Leo Carrillo RanchHistoric Park, 6200 Flying Leo CarrilloLane, will host Holiday at the Rancho,an evening of festivities, from 5 to 8p.m. Dec. 7. Activities include crafts,snowball fight, entertainment, aholiday movie, and a tree lighting at5:45 p.m. on the sand near the pool.Food, beverages and souvenir photosare available for an additional cost.Tickets are available for presale oronsite. For more information, call(760) 602-7519.

Cardiff-by-the-Sea: Cardiff 101 MainStreet will host Kringle Mingle from 1to 5 p.m. Dec. 1 at the North Court-yard of Cardiff Town Center. The eventfeatures a children’s craft pavilion,photos with Santa in his vintageCamera Camper Sleigh, live music,holiday treats, including acai bites, hotchocolate and hot coffee. Drink up fora cause at the Lost Abbey Confes-sional, a happy hour fundraiser tobenefit the Cardiff community. Theevent concludes with the tree lightingceremony at 5 p.m. cardiff101.com

Del Mar: Hosted by Del Mar Village,the Santa by the Sea holiday festivitiesstart at 3 p.m. Dec. 8 on the north-west corner of Camino Del Mar and15th Street, followed by a 5 p.m. treelighting. Festivities include holidaytreats and refreshments, crafts,including designing your own RadHatter holiday hats, live music, photoswith Santa and Mrs. Claus and lettersto Santa workshop. bit.ly/2jjiZJa

Solana Beach: The city’s annualHoliday Tree Lighting starts at 4:30p.m. Dec. 8 at Fletcher Cove Park, 111S. Sierra Ave. Live music, cookies,cider and a visit from Santa Claus at5:20 p.m. (858) 720-2453.bit.ly/2CUc95I

Oceanside: The annual Holiday TreeLighting takes place at 6 p.m. Dec. 5at Regal Cinema Plaza, 401 MissionAve. Visitors will enjoy holiday musicand carolers, family-friendly entertain-ment and games, horse-and-carriagerides, amusement rides, zip lines,bounce houses, free cookies and milkfor the kids and free holiday arts andcrafts projects from 5 to 8:30 p.m.bit.ly/32SpkNM

CAROLINA GUSMAN • U-T

Christmas tree and menorah lightingsSeaWorldSan Diego’stree lighting.

COURTESY SEAWORLD SAN DIEGO

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park duringDecember Nights.

HAYNE PALMOUR IV U-T FILE