>>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THIS LOOK AT THE BEST ORIGINAL REPORTING FROM KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

COMING UP, A DIVE INTO THE LOCAL RACES IN THE MARCH PRIMARY.

IT'S PART OF OUR ELECTION COVERAGE AS BALLOTS START TO ARRIVE IN MAILBOXES.

THE LUNAR NEW YEAR ARRIVES THIS WEEKEND.

BETH EXPLORES THE TRADITION OF THE LION DANCE.

AND THE CORONADO LIBRARY IS TARGETED BY SOME CONSERVATIVE CRITICS WHO QUESTION POLICIES AROUND CONTENT FOR KIDS.

WE START WITH ONE OF THE STORIES THAT GOT THE MOST ATTENTION FROM OUR AUDIENCE THIS WEEK.

ANDREW DYER UPDATES US ON THE INVESTIGATION INTO A LOCAL NAVY SEAL WHO IS ACCUSED OF HAVING TIES WITH EXTREMIST.

>> ONE OF THE BEST VIEWS IN THE WHOLE PLACE IS PROBABLY RIGHT UP TOP.

>> Reporter: JUDY BAILEY SAVAGE DRIVES HER ATV ALONG THE FENCE OF HER RANCH.

THE TOP OF THE HILL OVERLOOKS -- POINTING AT THE EXPENSE OF SAVAGE RANCH.

SHE SAYS, BECAUSE THE RANCH SERVES AS -- SHE HAS BEEN THREATENED.

IN THE SPRING OF 2023 THE TO MACULA VALLEY SCHOOL BOARD REJECTED THE STATE'S SOCIAL STUDIES CURRICULUM OVER ITS MATERIAL COVERING LGBTQ RIGHTS.

AS WELL AS -- THOSE ON THE FAR RIGHT.

AMONG THOSE, ACTIVE DUTY NAVY SEAL BRYCE HENSON COULD BEGIN TRAVELING UP AND DOWN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SPEAKING AT SCHOOL BOARDS AND CITY COUNCILS AGAINST CRITICAL RACE THEORY AND LGBTQ ISSUES.

SOME OFTEN ATTENDED RALLIES AND MEETINGS ALONGSIDE MEMBERS OF THE PROUD BOYS AND OTHER STUDENTS GROUPS.

IN NOVEMBER THE NAVY LAUNCHED AN INVESTIGATION INTO HIM.

SAVAGE SAYS SHE TOLD THE NAVY ABOUT HENSON MONTHS EARLIER AFTER HE ALLEGEDLY THREATENED HER DURING A LATE-NIGHT PHONE CALL.

>> AND I ASKED HIM, WHY ARE YOU STALKING ME?

WHY ARE YOU CALLING AND STALKING ME?

AFTER HE CAME UNHINGED THE SECOND TIME.

HE SAID, I'VE ALREADY SURVEILLED YOUR PROPERTY.

>> Reporter: SAVAGE ISN'T THE ONLY ACTIVIST WHO SAYS THAT HENSON HAS THREATENED HER.

LAST MONTH HE SENT -- SHOOTING GUNS ON THE INSTRUMENT COUNT.

SHE TOOK AS A THREAT AND SPOKE TO US UNDER CONDITION OF ANONYMITY.

>> IT'S STRANGE HOW THEY CAN SEND THREATENING MESSAGES AFTER BEING PART OF THE U.S. MILITARY.

IT'S ALL VERY THREATENING.

TO ME IT'S CLEARLY THREATENING.

HE SAID, SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS , WAS THE MESSAGE.

AND HE SENT ME OTHER MESSAGES SAYING, SHOW YOUR FACE.

>> Reporter: GARRISON IS A SENIOR FELLOW WITH THE INSTITUTE AT GEORGE MASON LOST TWO.

HE LED THE PENTAGON WORKING GROUP TO HELP CRAFT NEW RULES ON EXTREMISM IN THE MILITARY.

WHILE HE DIDN'T COMMENT SPECIFICALLY ON HENSON HE SAID IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PENTAGON TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGATIONS OF EXTREMISM AMONG THE RANKS.

>> THIS ACTIVITY HAS A DIRECT OUTSIZED IMPACT.

NOT ONLY CAN YOU DETERIORATE UNIT COHESION AND DISRUPT, PEOPLE GET HURT.

>> HE'S'S POLICY ON A REMISS BEHAVIOR IS WRITTEN BROADLY.

FOR MORE TO BE DONE OTHER ACTION IS NEEDED.

>> WHAT WE NEED IS FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, PARTICULARLY MATTERS OF CONGRESS, TO STAND UP AND MAKE SOME VERY SPECIFIC LAWS AND RULES AROUND WHAT OUR EXPECTATIONS OF THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR TRULY SHOULD BE.

>> Reporter: BACK AT SAVAGE RANCH ANOTHER ACTIVIST SAYS HENSON AND HIS THOUSANDS OF FOLLOWERS HAVE PEOPLE IN THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY SCARED.

>> THE EXTREMISM AND LANGUAGE ON HIS INSTAGRAM CAN PRODUCE VIOLENCE IN SOME PEOPLE.

SOMETIMES WE ARE SITTING OUT HERE SCARED.

>> Reporter: HENSON DIDN'T COMMENT ON THE ALLEGATIONS.

INSTEAD HE SAYS HE IS A FATHER WHO IS BEING SMEARED.

THE NAVY CLASSIFIED HENSON'S INVESTIGATION HAS -- AND WILL NOT COMMENT ON ANY ACTION.

THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT VIOLATE THE PENTAGONS INTO EXTREMISM RULES.

BUT HE DID ENGAGE IN THREATENING BEHAVIOR.

THE OFFICIAL SAYS HENSON COULD RECEIVE MINOR PUNISHMENT, BUT COULD ALSO FACE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS SUCH AS BEING KICKED OUT OF THE NAVY S.E.A.L.S OR THE NAVY ALTOGETHER.

ANDREW DYER, KPBS NEWS.

>>> OUR COVERAGE THIS WEEK INCLUDES A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT STORY FROM ANDREW DYER, AND LEAKED AUDIO ALLEGEDLY FROM HENSON ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

YOU CAN FIND THAT STORY AT KPBS.ORG.

>>> CORONADO IS AMONG THE COMMUNITIES IN A DEBATE OVER RELIGIOUS AND LGBTQ CONTENT AND LIBRARIES.

WE ARE SHOWN HOW NATIONAL ATTENTION LEADS TO THREATS AGAINST LIBRARY STAFF.

>> Reporter: THIS FOX NEWS SEGMENT FEATURING RACHAEL RAY RAN DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

>> THERE'S A NEW WAR ON CHRISTMAS AND NAVY S.E.A.L.

WIVES ARE FIGHTING ON THE FRONT LINES.

THEY ARE CLAIMING THE CORONADO CALIFORNIA PUBLIC LIBRARY IS REFUSING TO LET THEM HAVE VETERANS READ PATRIOTIC BOOKS.

EVEN BOOKS ABOUT CHRISTMAS TO CHILDREN.

THE MOMS CLAIM, INSTEAD THE LIBRARY IS PROMOTING SEXUALLY EXPLICIT BOOKS TO MINORS.

THE HOLIDAYS ARE OVER BUT THE CONTROVERSY FUELED IN PART BY THIS SEGMENT CONTINUES.

CORONADO OFFICIALS ARE NOW WORKING ON A RESPONSE TO A DEMAND LETTER SENT BY JEFFREY HALL.

HALL STATES THAT THE LIBRARY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST HER BY REFUSING TO REQUEST TO HOST A STORYTIME ON THE ORIGINS OF CHRISTMAS FROM THE CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT ON GROUNDS THAT IT VIOLATES THE SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE.

CORONADO OFFICIALS REFUSED TO COMMENT.

BUT CARL LUNA, FRIENDS OF THE CORONADO PUBLIC LIBRARY, SAYS SHE WAS NOT THE VICTIM OF THIS COMMISSION.

>> YOU DON'T GET TO WALK INTO ANY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND SAY, I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT CHAIR AND DO A PROGRAM AND CALL A LIBRARY PROGRAM.

THESE STORYTIME'S ARE FOR LIBRARY FUNCTION.

IT HAS TO BE RUN BY THE LIBRARY.

THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE BOOKS.

>> Reporter: LUNA ALSO REJECTS THE NARRATIVE THAT THE CORONADO LIBRARY IS UNPATRIOTIC.

>> WE HAVE STORY TIMES WHICH BRING IN OUR MILITARY FAMILIES.

A BIG SUPPORTER OF FOURTH OF JULY PARADE.

WE HAVE MILITARY EXHIBITS AT THE LIBRARY.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE IS A VETERANS AND MILITARY ACTIVE- DUTY PERSONNEL RESOURCE CENTER DEDICATED TO HELPING THEM WITH ANYTHING THEY NEED AS THEY TRANSITION AND DEALING WITH MILITARY PROGRAMS.

THERE'S A HUGE MILITARY COLLECTION HERE.

>> Reporter: FOLLOWING THE COVERAGE FROM FOX AND OTHER NEWS OUTLETS LIBRARY STAFF RECEIVED DOZENS OF VICIOUS ONLINE MESSAGES, INCLUDING THREATS LIKE THIS ONE.

QUOTE, WILL THE STAFF PLEASE POUR GASOLINE ON THEIR BODIES AND TORCH THEMSELVES?

LUNA SAYS THE HOSTILITY SPREADS FEAR AMONG THE LIBRARY STAFF.

>> WHEN YOU SAY THINGS LIKE THAT TO ANOTHER PERSON DOESN'T MATTER THE UNDERLYING CAUSE.

YOU ARE DELIBERATELY TRYING TO CREATE TERROR IN SOMEBODY ELSE.

THAT IS AN EVIL THING TO DO.

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION AND HAVE ONE.

DON'T BE DOING THIS.

>> Reporter: JESSICA IS MARRIED TO A FORMER NAVY SEAL AND IS ALSO REPRESENTED BY HALL IN THE DISPUTE WITH THE LIBRARY.

SHE SAYS THE VITRIOL GOES BOTH WAYS.

>> WE ARE BEING CALLED BIGOTS, PEOPLE HATE, YOU NAME IT AND WE'VE BEEN CALLED IT.

>> Reporter: ONE SUCH BOOK IS THE RAINBOW PARADE.

IT WAS RED LAST JUNE.

>> THE PREMISE OF THE BOOK IS UPLIFTING.

THE STORY ITSELF IS OKAY.

THE ILLUSTRATIONS ARE WHAT ARE REALLY CALLED INTO QUESTION.

>> Reporter: ONE SHOWS THE BACK OF A NUDE MAN.

A SMALLER ONE SHOWS A MALE COUPLE IN WHAT LOOKS LIKE BDSM GEAR.

SHE SAYS SHE IS NOT ADVOCATING FOR CENSORSHIP OR BOOK BANS.

JUST FOR COMMON SENSE.

SHE WANTS BOOKS LIKE THE RAINBOW PARADE TO BE OUT OF THE REACH OF YOUNG KIDS AND THAT ANY BOOK IN THE KIDS SECTION CONTAINING NUDITY OR SEXUALIZED MATERIAL BE CLEARLY LABELED AS SUCH.

>> WE HAVE RATINGS FOR MOVIES, WE HAVE RATINGS FOR MUSIC.

WHY ARE BOOKS ANY DIFFERENT?

>> Reporter: HALL THREATENS TO SUE CORONADO UNLESS THE LIBRARY SEGREGATES THOSE BOOKS, REFRAINS FROM INCLUDING THEM IN STORYTIME, AND ALLOWED TO HOST READING EVENTS EVEN IF THE CONTENT IS RELIGIOUS.

CORONADO CITY OFFICIALS SAY ON THEIR WEBSITE THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RESPONDING TO HALLS LETTER AND THAT STAFF IS WORKING WITH WOMEN TO, QUOTE, EXPLORE THE NATURE OF THEIR COMPLAINT.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> SAN DIEGO STATE GRADUATE AND FOUNDER OF THE MEDICAL TECH COMPANY -- JOE, HAS REASON TO CELEBRATE.

THOMAS FUDGE HAS THE STORY OF HIS TECH AND BATTLE TO DEFEND IT AGAINST APPLE.

>> IT'S A FIELD THAT HELPS HUMANITY AND THE SPEED OF THE PLANET.

>> Reporter: JOE WAS AN IRANIAN IMMIGRANT WHO STARTED ATTENDING SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY IN THE 1980s.

HIS FAMILY COMES FROM THE CITY OF SHIRAZ.

AFTER MOVING TO SAN DIEGO HE GRADUATED FROM VALHALLA HIGH SCHOOL.

HE HAS BUILT A CORPORATION BASED IN IRVINE ON A TECHNOLOGY THAT TESTS BLOOD OXYGEN LEVELS.

HE PERFECTED IT WITH THE HELP OF HIS BUSINESS PARTNER AND HIS FAVORITE PROFESSOR.

NOW IT HAS ANNUAL REVENUES OF ABOUT $2 BILLION.

SPEAKING AT A SAN DIEGO STATE LECTURE SERIES HE SAID HIS APPROACH TO BUSINESS AND LIFE IS TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME PROBLEMS THAT ARE WAY TOO BIG FOR ONE PERSON TO SOLVE.

>> IF YOU TRY TO ATTACK THOSE YOU MAY NOT GET ANYWHERE, YOU MAY HARM YOURSELF AND PEOPLE YOU LOVE.

BUT YOU SHOULD GO AFTER THE THINGS YOU CAN FIX.

THE THINGS THAT ARE AT YOUR SIZE.

MAYBE A LITTLE BIGGER THAN YOU.

IF YOU DO THAT IT WILL BE HER LEGACY.

>> Reporter: IT'S A NONINVASIVE WAY OF MEASURING THE OXYGEN SATURATION OF HEMOGLOBIN, A PROTEIN IN YOUR RED BLOOD CELLS THAT DELIVERS OXYGEN TO YOUR TISSUES.

THE TECHNOLOGY IS KNOWN TO ANYBODY WHO HAS HAD THEIR BLOOD OXYGEN LEVEL TESTED BY PLACING YOUR FINGER IN A COMFORTABLE CLAMP DURING A HOSPITAL VISIT.

IT MONITORS THE BLOOD BY SHINING LIGHT THROUGH THE SKIN.

IF YOU ARE BREATHING FINE, IF YOUR HEART IS PUMPING RIGHT YOU SHOULD BE BETWEEN 97 AND 100%.

BUT IF YOU'RE LUNG OR HEART HAS ANY PROBLEMS THAN THE OXYGEN LEVEL CAN DROP DOWN TO 80, 70, 60 TO A LEVEL WHERE PEOPLE CAN'T SURVIVE.

>> Reporter: IT PREDATED JOE'S WORK BUT THE TECHNOLOGY HAD A PROBLEM.

AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER AND LONGTIME SDSU PROFESSOR WHO HE SEES AS A MENTOR, HE SAYS BODY MOVEMENT CAUSES CAPILLARIES TO CLOSE AND STOP BLOOD FLOW.

>> WHEN THE CAPILLARIES CLOSE THERE IS NO MORE FRESH BLOOD FLOWING.

AND THE DETECTOR SAYS, NOT ENOUGH OXYGEN.

>> REPORTER:'S FALSE READINGS COST HIM AND HIS BUSINESS PARTNER TO DEVELOP AN INNOVATION THAT HAD ITS ORIGIN IN A TALK ABOUT ADAPTIVE ALGORITHMS.

THEY MODIFIED AN ALGORITHM THAT ALLOWED PULSE OXIMETRY TO SPOT THE FALSE OXYGEN READINGS.

BUT HE HAS BEEN FORCED TO SPEND YEARS PROTECTING HIS INVENTION.

IN A WORLD OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY IT'S NOT SURPRISING.

>> IF YOU HAVE A SUCCESSFUL TECHNOLOGY THEN YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BE ATTACKED BY PEOPLE -- SIMPLE AS THAT.

>> BIG COMPANIES TRULY BELIEVE THEY CAN BURY THE SMALL COMPANY WITH LEGAL FEES.

SO THEY TAKE WHATEVER THEY LIKE AND THEY REALLY ASSUME YOU CAN'T STAND UP TO THEM.

>> Reporter: THE LEGAL BATTLE WITH APPLE BEGAN 10 YEARS AGO WHEN HE MET WITH APPLE EXECUTIVES WHO ARE CURIOUS ABOUT HIS METHODS.

SOON THEY FOUND OUT SOME OF HIS EMPLOYEES DEFECTED TO APPLE.

ULTIMATELY, APPLE INCLUDED THE TECHNOLOGY AT APPLE WATCH.

THEY WERE TAKEN TO COURT FOR PATENT INFRINGEMENT.

HE DOESN'T HESITATE TO BLAST THE COMPUTER GIANT.

>> PISTOL OUR PEOPLE, THEY STILL OUR PATENTS, THEY STOLE OUR PROPERTY.

THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL FOR THEM.

>> Reporter: A FEDERAL APPEALS COURT AND THE PATENT AND TRADE OFFICE SEEM TO AGREE WITH MOST OF THAT.

THEY UPHELD THE PATENT AND FORCED APPLE TO REMOVE PULSE OXIMETRY FROM THEIR WATCHES.

THEY WOULD NOT GIVE AN INTERVIEW FOR THE STORY AND PROVIDED A COMPANY STATEMENT SAYING THEIR APPEAL IN THE CASE IS ONGOING AND THEY STRONGLY DISAGREE WITH DECISIONS IN FAVOR OF HIM.

APPLE IS TAKING STEPS TO COMPLY WITH THE RULING THAT INCLUDED INTRODUCING A VERSION OF APPLE WATCHES WITHOUT THE BLOOD OXYGEN FEATURE.

TODAY IT IS NO LONGER A SHOESTRING STARTUP THAT CAN'T AFFORD TO DEFEND THEIR PROPERTY IN COURT.

HE SAID HE HAS ACQUIRED COMPANIES WITH PROMISING TECHNOLOGY.

HE BELIEVES THEY WERE FAIR DEALS.

>> WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN WHO WE WERE.

WE ROOFER INNOVATORS AND SMALL COMPANIES.

ONE THING I WILL GUARANTEE YOU, EVERY TIME WE WILL RESPECT OTHER PEOPLE'S INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY.

NEVER WILL WE STEP ON COMPANIES JUST BECAUSE WE THINK WE CAN.

>> Reporter: THOMAS FUDGE, KPBS NEWS.

>>> VOTERS IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY ARE GETTING A BALANCE IN THE MAIL FOR THE MARCH PRIMARY.

AND HERE AT KPBS WE ARE STEPPING UP OUR COVERAGE OF THE ISSUES AND CANDIDATES.

HERE ARE SOME OF THE STORIES FROM ALEXANDER AND KATIE.

>> Reporter: ON THIS GLOOMY FIRST DAY OF VOTING IT WAS QUIET AT THE REGISTER VOTERS OFFICE SAVE FOR A VERY LOUD LEAF BLOWER.

BUT THE COLD, GRAY SKY DIDN'T HELP TO STOP -- FROM HIS YEARLY TRADITION.

>> I'M THE FIRST PERSON AT 8:00 A.M. FOR EARLY VOTING FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS.

IF YOU ARE MOTIVATED AND YOU WANT YOUR VOICE HEARD YOU SHOW UP TO VOTE.

THAT VOTE NOT ONLY COUNTS FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE BUT ACCOUNTS FOR SO MANY OTHER DIFFERENT RACES AND ELECTION AND BALLOT MEASURES UP AND DOWN THE BALLOT.

>> Reporter: IT WAS AN IMPORTANT MOMENT TO SHARE WITH THEIR 14-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER.

>> IT'S A DIFFERENT FEELING WATCHING THEM WALK INTO A VOTING CENTER TO CAST YOUR BALLOT.

>> Reporter: SOME VOTERS MAY HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME EXERCISING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> FOLKS MAY NOT EVEN HAVE MAILBOXES TO RECEIVE A BALLOT.

>> Reporter: SHE SAYS THE ELECTION IS AT TOP OF MIND.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT THEY VOTE.

>> ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE VOTING AROUND A CITY POSITION THAT WILL MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> Reporter: IF YOUR BALLOT WAS DAMAGED OR DESTROYED YOU CAN REQUEST A REPLACEMENT BALLOT ONLINE OR AT THE VOTERS OFFICE OR YOUR LOCAL VOTE CENTER.

THE KEY IS TO VOTE EARLY.

>> THE WEATHER HAS BEEN A LITTLE RAINY.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE EARLY DAYS TO VOTE.

>> Reporter: THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS YOU CAN DROP OFF YOUR BALLOT.

DO IT HERE OR HERE AT ONE OF THE MANY DROP BOXES AROUND THE COUNTY.

YOU CAN MAIL IT OR DROP IT OFF AT YOUR LOCAL POST OFFICE.

THOSE NEEDING MORE TIME TO RESEARCH THE ISSUES BEFORE VOTING, THEY HAVE LAUNCHED A VOTER HUB ONLINE TO HELP YOU MAKE AN INFORMED CHOICE.

VISIT KPBS.ORG FOR MORE INFORMATION.

ALEXANDER NGUYEN, KPBS NEWS.

>> LAST YEAR THEY CHARGED A COUNCILMEMBER WITH FRAUD.

THIS YEAR CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY ELECTION SAY THAT THOSE CHARGES CAST A DARK CLOUD OVER THE ENTIRE POLITICAL SYSTEM.

THEY ARE PRIORITIZING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> PEOPLE ARE SICK AND TIRED OF THE POLITICAL CORRUPTION.

>> Reporter: HE SPENT 20 YEARS WORKING IN THE ATTORNEYS OFFICE.

AND EVEN SERVED AS CITY ATTORNEY THROUGH 2018 AND 2020.

HE WANTS TO MAKE LOCAL GOVERNMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC.

THE CITY ATTORNEY OVERSEAS A TEAM OF LAWYERS WHO PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OVER A VARIETY OF ISSUES.

THE OFFICE REVIEWS CONTRACTS, HELPS RESPOND TO PUBLIC RECORDS, AND EVEN HELPS THE CITY.

HE CURRENTLY SERVES IN CORONADO .

HE HAS AN ANTICORRUPTION PLAN THAT WILL ALLOW THE CITY COUNCIL TO SUSPEND ANY MEMBER FACING FELONY FRAUD CHARGES.

>> RIGHT NOW THE TRUST BETWEEN OUR CITY, CITY LEADERS AND RESIDENTS IS NOT THERE.

THE CITY ATTORNEY WAS TO BRING BACK THAT TRUST.

>> Reporter: BOTH CANDIDATES ALSO LISTED PUBLIC SAFETY AS A TOP PRIORITY.

MAIL-IN BALLOTS HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED.

THE PRIMARY ELECTION IS MARCH 5th.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> THE THREE CANDIDATES ARE HENRY FOSTER THE THIRD, MAYORAL AIDE -- AND THE STATE ASSISTANT.

ALL OUR LONGTIME DISTRICT RESIDENTS WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAREERS.

THEY SAY THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THEY ADVOCATE FOR DIFFERENT APPROACHES.

DARBY STRESSES EMPOWERING RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN CITY COUNCIL.

>> IF WE COULD COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH CONSTITUENTS THEY CAN BE BETTER INFORMED ABOUT WHAT THEY NEED.

>> Reporter: FOSTER SAYS THE CITY HAS A RULE AS AN EMPLOYER.

>> THE CITY AT ONE POINT IN TIME WAS OUR EMPLOYER OF CHOICE FOR THE REGION.

WE NEED TO GET BACK TO THAT.

>> Reporter: SHE EMPHASIZED SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> SMALL BUSINESSES IS THE FABRIC OF OUR COMMUNITY AND THEY WERE THRIVING ALONG THIS CORRIDOR.

NOW THEY ARE VACANT.

>> Reporter: THE WINNER WOULD LIKELY BE THE VOTE IN THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT -- FOR RIVERA.

DARBY SAYS SHE NEEDS TO SEE CHANGE.

CANDIDATES NEED MORE THAN HALF THE VOTES TO AVOID A RUNOFF.

A RUNOFF WOULD COST THE CITY HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND THE DISTRICT TO MORE THAN HALF A YEAR WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.

KPBS NEWS.

>>> HERE ARE SOME OF OUR MOST READ STORIES THIS WEEK AT KPBS.ORG.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S HOMELESS SLEEPING CABINS NEED SERVICE PROVIDERS TO OPERATE.

-- CALIFORNIA'S LANDMARKS.

AND LOCAL METEOROLOGISTS EXPLAIN WHAT WENT AND THE DECISION TO ISSUE A RARE TORNADO WARNING.

>>> FINANCIAL AID IS ON THE WAY FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE RECOVERING FROM THE RECENT STORMS HERE IN SAN DIEGO.

KPBS REPORTER PEREZ TELLS US THERE IS GRANT MONEY AVAILABLE ON A FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED BASIS FOR THE HARDEST HIT NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> Reporter: BROWN CANNOT SECURE HER WOODEN FRONT GATE.

>> BECAUSE OF THE RAIN IT HAS SWOLLEN.

IT DOES NOT CLOSE ANYMORE.

THIS IS WHERE MY CLIENTS COME IN.

>> Reporter: THAT'S A PROBLEM BECAUSE HER CLIENTS ARE PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN WHO BRING THEM TO THE HAPPY TIME LEARNING ACADEMY WHERE BROWN IS LICENSED TO CARE FOR AND EDUCATE UP TO 14 CHILDREN IN HER HOME BUSINESS, WHICH WAS DAMAGED BY FLOODWATERS FROM THE RECENT RECORD RAIN.

>> DAMAGE, MOLD.

IT'S MAKING IT, PART HERE.

IS SHE CHANGING HER DIAPER?

SHE'S THE BEST.

HE MAKE HAPPY TIME LEARNING IS A SMALL BUSINESS THAT HER HUSBAND HAS OWNED AND OPERATED FOR 27 YEARS.

>> WE WORK PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.

WE ARE REGULAR EVERYDAY PEOPLE.

WE DO THIS FOR THE LOVE OF THE KIDS.

NOT TO MAKE A PROFIT.

SO WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO.

>> Reporter: THE BROWNS AREN'T ALONE.

SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS ACROSS SAN DIEGO AND OTHER DEVASTATED AREAS CONTINUE CLEANUP AND THEIR CONFLICT WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT HAVE DENIED THEIR CLAIMS.

MANY POLICIES DON'T COVER STORM AND FLOOD DAMAGE.

>> BUSINESSES OF COLOR AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES SUFFER THE WORST OUTCOMES.

THEY ARE AT GREATEST RISK OF DAMAGE FOR THE EFFECT.

AND FROM THE EFFECT OF NATURAL DISASTERS.

>> Reporter: THE BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PARTNERED WITH THE HISPANIC COMMERCE AND ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR THE COUNTY OF SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCING GRANT MONEY THEY WILL MAKE AVAILABLE TO SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FOR UP TO $2500.

APPLICATIONS OPEN THIS MONDAY.

THEY ARE CONSIDERED IN THE ORDER THEY ARE SUBMITTED.

>> WE SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO NOT SUPPORT THE SMALL BUSINESSES.

>> Reporter: IS ALSO A COUNTY BUSINESS EMERGENCY FUND.

AND MATCHING DONATIONS ARE OFFERED BY THE SAN DIEGO FOUNDATION.

>> WE ARE HERE FOR YOU.

>> Reporter: THE COALITION OF SUPPORT FOR RENOVATION AND RESTORATION WORK IS A START FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

BUT IT IS NOT A COMPLETE SOLUTION.

THEY ARE ALSO WAITING FOR WORD FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, WHICH COULD BRING FEDERAL FUNDING.

UNTIL THEN, BROWN SAYS HER FAITH WILL CARRY HER THROUGH THIS.

>> GOD HAS BROUGHT ME THROUGH THIS FOR 27 YEARS.

HE WILL CONTINUE TO COVER US.

IT'S GOING TO WORK OUT.

>> Reporter: MG PEREZ, KPBS NEWS.

STOMACH THIS WEEKEND STARTS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH THE YEAR OF THE DRAGON.

MANY ASIAN CULTURES CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR WITH VARYING TRADITIONS.

BETH EXPLORES ONE TRADITION, THE LION DANCE.

>> GROWING UP WITH A CHINESE GRANDFATHER MEANT MY FAMILY CELEBRATE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

MY GRANDFATHER WOULD TELL US ABOUT BEING A BOY IN CHINA AND CELEBRATING FOR 15 DAYS WITH FOOD, FAMILY, AND FIRECRACKERS.

THE ONES HE LOVED AS A CHILD WERE STRING FIRECRACKERS, MADE UP OF HUNDREDS OF LITTLE FIRECRACKERS BRAIDED TOGETHER BY THEIR FUSES.

AND WHEN YOU LIGHT ONE END OF THE BRAID HUNDREDS OF THESE WOULD EXPLODE ONE AFTER THE OTHER.

THE FIRECRACKERS ARE SUPPOSED TO WARD OFF BAD SPIRITS AND BAD LUCK.

BUT FOR A LINE DANCER THE SMOKE AND NOISE CAN BE A CHALLENGE.

>> THAT'S WHY WE TELL OUR PERFORMERS TO WEAR MASKS AND WEAR EARPLUGS AS WELL.

>> Reporter: THE COORDINATOR WITH THE LEGENDARY LINE DANCE ASSOCIATION.

>> THE PURPOSE BEHIND THE LINE DANCES TO WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS AND BRING LOVE AND PROSPERITY TO ANY INDIVIDUAL.

WHEN PEOPLE SEE THE DANCE HITS LIKE MARTIAL ARTS.

>> Reporter: YOU MIGHT WONDER WHY A LION, SINCE LIONS ARE NOT NATIVE TO CHINA.

LION DANCING DATES BACK TO THE PING DYNASTY AND A LEGEND ABOUT THE EMPEROR HAVING A DREAM IN WHICH AN ANIMAL HE DEEMED TO BE A LION SAVED HIS LIFE.

>> DURING THAT TIME PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT A LION WAS.

>> Reporter: THAT'S WHY THE COST AND FOR THE LION DANCE IS SO STYLIZED AND SPECTACULAR.

IT'S OFTEN BOLD RED OR BRIGHT GOLD WITH LARGE EYES AND FLUFFY ROUNDED EARS, A BIG MOUTH, AND A FLOWING BODY.

IT'S AMAZING TO SEE A PAIR OF DANCERS BRING LIFE INTO WHAT IS ESSENTIALLY A LARGE PUPPET.

>> THERE TWO POSITIONS.

AS A HEAD AND TAIL.

YOUR JOB IS TO PORTRAY ANYTHING FROM HAPPY, ANGER, SADNESS, ET CETERA.

WHATEVER FOOTWORK THEY HAD DOES THE TAIL DOES WITH IT.

THE OTHER JOB IS TO LET YOUR PARTNER UP.

>> Reporter: THE RESULT IS A FLUID, GRACEFUL, AND ENERGETIC PERFORMANCE IN WHICH A LION WOULD JUMP ON TABLES, RISE UP ON ITS HIND LEGS, OR PRANCE AROUND THE CROWD.

ALL TO VERY DISTINCTIVE AND VIBRANT MUSIC CREATED BY A TRIO OF INSTRUMENTS.

>> THE DRUMS, THE SYMBOLS, AND THE GONG.

>> Reporter: IT CAN BE EXTREMELY EXPRESSIVE AS THE DANCER OPERATES STRINGS AND LEVERS TO WIGGLE THE YEARS, BLINK THE EYES, AND OPEN AND CLOSE THE MOUTH.

>> AS A HAD PLAYER YOU ARE PORTRAYING EXPRESSION AND STORYTELLING.

THE WAY I SEE IT IS ANY FORM OF DANCE IS IN SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE MUSIC AND CORONATION.

YOU HAVE TO GIVE THE LION LIFE.

IT'S ALL STORYTELLING.

IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING THAT CAPTIVATING FOR THE AUDIENCE.

>> Reporter: ALLIANCE HEAD IS MADE OF BAMBOO, PAPIER-MACHE, AND FABRIC.

IT CAN COST $1000.

IT CAN ALSO BE A CHALLENGE TO WORK IN.

>> IN THE COSTUME YOU HAVE VERY LIMITED VISION.

YOU MAY LOOK TO THE MOUTH.

WHILE AT THE SAME TIME YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE MUSIC.

>> Reporter: IT TAKES CARDIO AND STRENGTH.

BEING INSIDE OF A BEAUTIFUL, FLOWING COSTUME CAN MAKE SPECTATORS FORGET HOW MUCH WORK AND STAMINA IT TAKES TO PERFORM MULTIPLE FIVE OR SIX MINUTE ROUTINES IN A ROW.

HE SAYS PEOPLE ALSO SEE LION DANCING AS SOMETHING JUST FOR ASIANS PICK >> IT'S FOR ANYONE REGARDLESS OF RACE, GENDER, OR RELIGION.

>> Reporter: IT HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE 2000 WITH MALE AND FEMALE TEAM MEMBERS AS YOUNG AS 13.

>> WE WANT TO PRESERVE AND PROMOTE CHINESE CULTURE.

WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE THIS ART AND WE HOPE TO INSPIRE MORE PEOPLE AND YOUNG GENERATIONS TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> Reporter: THE LUNAR NEW YEAR IS THE PERFECT TIME TO SHARE AND CELEBRATE CULTURE AND HERITAGE.

KPBS NEWS.

>> THAT'S COOL.

>>> WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS LOOK AT KPBS NEWS THIS WEEK.

I AM JOHN CARROLL.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

♪