By Miriam Raftery

December 5, 2013 (El Cajon ) – The newly formed San Diego East County Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce has elected Ben Kalasho as president during the organization’s gala event at Sycuan Resort on November 22.   Kalasho hailed the event, which drew about 100 attendees, as “a great turn out of professional movers and shakers.”

Preview by David Dickens

December 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County teams will be vying in the San Diego California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) football championships this weekend.   Monte Vista Monarchs will take the field Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Sweetwater High’s Red Devils, followed by a 7 p.m. matchup between Christian High Patriots and the San Marcos Knights.  Below are previews of the games.

December 4, 2013 (San Diego) – -Nearly 30 San Diego Unified School District teachers are becoming "Solar Champions." Earlier this week, the school district hosted a workshop for those teachers to help them incorporate the solar energy/technology they now have at their schools into their curriculum.

Main Street Power is a solar contractor that recently completed the installation of roof-top solar systems at 29 of the district's schools.  As part of its contract with the district, Main Street Power is providing the teachers with training and classroom solar car kits, as well as materials on solar energy/technology that are aligned with the districts' science curriculum. The company is also giving each school a computer that will serve as an "energy portal."

December 4, 2013 (San Diego) — By a 5-0 vote, San Diego Supervisors Tuesday approved efforts to add the PulsePoint smartphone app to regional 9-1-1 emergency systems. The system enables notification of trained citizen volunteers to respond quickly to cases of sudden cardiac arrest and initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while awaiting medical responders. The measure was introduced by Supervisors Ron Roberts and Bill Horn.

Nearly 1,000 lives are lost daily in the U.S. due to sudden cardiac arrest, which can occur even in active, seemingly healthy people with no history of heart disease. Cardiac arrest is among the leading causes of death among adults over age 40 in the U.S. According to the American Heart Association, of 383,000 people who suffer sudden cardiac arrest, 90% die.

December 4, 2013 (El Cajon) – If home-grown music is your thing, then the place to be this Friday night is the Cuyamaca College Performing Arts Theater, the venue for the always eclectic and entertaining Winter Wonder Jam, produced by students in the college’s Music Industry program.

Set for 7-10 p.m. Dec. 7, concert-goers will be treated to music ranging from rock, pop, jazz, acoustic and hip- hop.

December 4, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: Can you discuss pollutants in car interior materials, and also pollution inside cars originating from gasoline and diesel exhausts outside the car?

-- Mervyn Kline, Philadelphia, PA

December 4, 2013 (El Cajon)--The U.S. Postal Service is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to arrest and conviction of two suspects who robbed a mail carrier in El Cajon on Wedneday, November 27 at 5:05 p.m. The theft occurred in the 2400 block of Fletcher Parkway. 

Both suspects were described as 25 to 30 years old, white with medium build, about 5 feet 11 inches tall.  One suspect had a tear drop tattoo under his left eye and wore al ong-sleeved dark shirt, dark shorts, black knee-high socks and black shoes.  The other suspect had full sleeve-like tattoos on both arms; he wore a white So-Cal Tshirt, shorts and black shoes.

La Mesa is transformed into a Victorian wonderland on December 13-14 during its old-fashioned Christmas in the Village. The family friendly event features horse-drawn carriages, strolling minstrels, carolers and street entertainers along La Mesa Boulevard.

Carnival rides, ponies, puppet shows, live music stages, bonfires and an outdoor market round out the traditional holiday fun.

Alpine celebrates the season with the 17th Annual Alpine Village Christmas Parade of Lights & Festival on December 6 at 6:30.

This family-friendly event, sponsored by the Alpine Chamber of Commerce, also features a visit from Santa and his helpers, Christmas caroling and a snow mountain for sledding at the Alpine Community Center on Alpine Boulevard.

December 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) --ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• Health law business site delayed one year (UT San Diego)
• Boeing: 15 airlines warned over high-altitude ice (BBC)
• Reid, Democrats trigger ‘nuclear’ option, eliminate filibusters on most nominees (Washington Post)
• Reason Foundation Study Details Depths of Green Energy Crony Capitalism (Reason)
• Obama: Iran nuclear deal limits Iran ability to create nuclear weapons (CNN)
• Ford recalls 2013 Escape SUVs for seventh time (Reuters)
• Pot smokers arrested for DUI: A record high in Washington (CS Monitor)
• U.S. May Be Producing 50 Percent More Methane Than EPA Thinks (NPR)
• Judge Suspends Sentencing Of Would-Be Bomber After NSA Revelations(NPR)
• Intelligence committee heads: Terror threat rising  (AP)

 WORLD

• Pope Francis attacks ‘tyranny’ of unfettered capitalism,’idolatry of money’ (ABC news)
• Pope ramps up charity to be near poor, sick (USA Today)
•  Israel says kills three Qaeda-linked militants in West Bank (Reuters)
•  Egypt expels Turkish ambassador, Turkey retaliates (Reuters)
•  Tiananmen Square attack was 'jihadi operation,' claims Islamist group (CS Monitor)
•  Islamist rebels capture Syria's largest oilfield: activists (Reuters)
•  Adulterers may be stoned under new Afghan law, official says  (Reuters)
•  Iran says to continue building at Arak nuclear site despite deal
• Syrian refugee children are becoming the family breadwinners (CS Monitor)
• Dutch privacy watchdog says Google breaks data law (Reuters)
• North Korea says U.S. citizen Merrill E. Newman is a criminal, arrested for hostile acts (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2013 (Campo) – Despite protests from Campo residents, the state has proposed a new location in this rural community to house a sexually violent predator, Douglas Badger, 70. The home is located at 1138 Custer Rd. It is about 200 yards from the nearest neighbor and 2.2 miles from the nearest elementary school.

Public comment regarding the proposed location can be submitted until Dec. 20. Email submissions should be sent to sdsafe@sdsheriff.org. Comments can be submitted by phone by calling (858) 495-3619. State officials have scheduled a Jan. 3 hearing on the matter.

December 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news each week that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Emergency Contraceptive Pill Might Be Ineffective For Obese (NPR)
• FDA Shuts Down 23andMe: Outrageously Banning Consumer Access to Personal Genome Information (Reason)
•  UCSD scientists invent MRSA 'nanosponge' vaccine (UT San Diego)
• More Children Are Being Medicated For ADHD Than Before (NPR)
• Men and women 'wired differently'

SCIENCE

• Helping Haiti, In 3-D (NPR)
• Moon Turnips? NASA Takes Gardening to New Heights
• 700,000 year old horse found in Yukon permafrost yields oldest DNA ever recorded (Western Digs)
• Twitter Takes Steps To Frustrate NSA, Other Government Snoops (Reason)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click read more and scroll down.

December 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• License plate readers creating countywide database (CBS)
• Rural fire fee to increase  (UT San Diego)
• Mexican truck with radioactive load stolen (UT San Diego)
• A reader’s guide to San Diego hospital districts (Voice of San Diego)
• City helps sell sewer warranty without facts (UT San Diego)
• East African refguees find empathy, education in San Diego (Sacramento Bee)
• Arson under-reported in U.S. cities including San Diego (10 News)
• Borrego’s ‘dinosaur sculptor’ moving his base to Borrego (UT San Diego)
• Why the County Will Lose Half Its Health Funds (And Why It Might Not Matter) (Voice of San Diego)
• Taking names for term limits (La Mesa Courier)
• Former Filner aide seeks $1.5 million (UT San Diego)
• Neighbors sue city over huge ‘luxury’ housing project (La Mesa Courier)
• San Diego Council Approves 15 Percent Water Rate Hike (KPBS)
• Long-Term Water Facilities and Climate Action Plans released for public review  (SDCWA)\
• San Diego Transfers Low-Level Prisoners To Help Fight Wildfires (KPBS)
• Jail violence rises with shift from prison (UT San Diego)

STATE

• How an Egg-Centric Amendment Could Hurt San Diego Farmers (Voice of San Diego)
• Judge stops bullet train in its tracks (UT San Diego)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

Local San Diego organizations unite to call for aid for survivors of  catastrophic tragedy

December 4, 2013 (San Diego)--The devastation of Typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda has displaced approximately 4.4 million people—one million of whom are children. More than 26,000 have been injured, over 5,600 have lost their lives, and 1,759 are still missing. The numbers are staggering and continue to rise.

On Friday, December 6 at 6 p.m., United Domestic Workers of America (UDW)/American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Local 3930 (AFSCME Local 3930) and the San Diego Chapter of the Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA) with 13 other local and national organizations will hold a candlelight vigil at the headquarters of UDW on 4855 Seminole Drive, San Diego, CA 92115. There will be a prayer service and lighting of candles in remembrance of those affected. Monetary donations will also be accepted to benefit relief efforts.

December 4, 2013 (Rancho San Diego)--Cuyamaca College’s Annual “Winter Wonder Jam” takes stage this Friday, December 6  at 7 p.m. This event is to promote students' efforts in showcasing new local talent; the public is invited to come out and enjoy the music. These home-grown singer-songwriters will present a variety of acoustic, rock, jazz and hip hop genres

This concert takes place at the Performing Arts Theatre at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego.  The festival features four local artists performing their all-original music compositions. This event is FREE with a donation to the San Diego Food Bank and there is  plenty of free parking.

By Miriam Raftery

December 4, 2013 (Boulevard) -- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has completed its examination of a raptor euthanized after it was struck by a semi- truck in Boulevard on November 27. 

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has confirmed the species of bird  as a red-tailed hawk, said Jane Hendron, Public Affairs Division Chief with the USFWS in Carlsbad.

"It's outrageous that our elected officials in California are using taxpayer dollars to intentionally mislead their constituents and divert them from CoveredCA.com ... Republicans in California should be ashamed… the GOP’s newest tactics is to lie to voters and prevent sick people from getting the care they need.”—Dr. Paul Song, oncologist and Courage Campaign executive director

By Nadin Abbott and Miriam Raftery

December 3, 2013 (San Diego)—The California Assembly Republican Caucus, chaired by East County representative Brian Jones (R-Santee), is taking heat for creating a phony website (http://www.coveringhealthcareca.com/) designed to divert consumers from the state’s official Covered California site (https://www.coveredca.com/). 

Covered California is the website for consumers to get information on new healthcare exchanges and sign up for healthcare coverage under the federal Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. 

Republican members including Jones are promoting the sham healthcare site, labeled a “California Resource Guide” directly to constituents on their official Assembly websites paid for by taxpayers.

December 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for mountains and deserts.  Gusts over 60 miles per hour are forecast.

A cold front moving through the recent will drop temperatures below freezing for high desert areas by Wednesday morning. Rain and snowfall are forecast at higher elevations.

December 3, 2013 (San Diego) – For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, go to: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

December 3 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host Fannie Flagg, the bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, as she discusses and signs her new novel The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. This event is free and open to the public, however Reserved Seating is available. Please call Warwick's for details. Only books purchased from Warwick's will be signed.

November 26, 2013 (SanteE)--Santa and snow are in the forecast on Sunday, December 8^th from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the annual Santa at the Lakes EVENT at Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. You'll find plenty of snow for sledding, Santa visits, and s’mores around the fire as highlights of this year’s event.

Update: SDGE now reports that 936 customers may be without power until 4 p.m. today.

December 3, 2013 (La Mesa)--An estimated 1,568 homes remain without power in west La Mesa, where an outage at 3:27 a.m. initially left nearly 3,800 customers without electricity.

San Diego Gas & Electric anticipates full power restoration at 9 a.m.  The utility has not released the cause at this time.

December 2, 2013 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the El Cajon City Council.   The deadline to apply is Wednesday, December 4 at 5:30 p.m. and applications are available at the city’s website. 

To be eligible, you must be a resident and a registered voter when you apply and throughout your term of office.  The seat is open to fill the vacancy left when Councilman Bill Wells was appointed Mayor, after former Mayor Mark Lewis resigned.

File photo: Cows in snow at Descanso, by Rebecca Masten

December 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Cold weather is forecast to sweep into our region on Tuesday, bringing rain countywide and snow down to elevations as low as 3500 feet by Wednesday.  Areas at or above 3500 feet include Julian, Cuyamaca, Pine Valley, Descanso, Boulevard, Mount Laguna, and Warner Springs. 

Hot items also on the agendas in Boulevard, Lakeside and Lemon Grove this week

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--San Diego Supervisors meet on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 3 and 4 at 9 a.m. The hottest item is a public hearing Tuesday on a county proposal to levy fees to recover the actual cost of services provided by the San Diego County Fire Authority including fire plan reviews, inspections and other technical work.  In the past, such services have been provided to individuals and businesses without full cost recovery. 

The Agenda does not state how much the proposed fees would be or how much revenue the county expects to raise.  But coming on the heels of a statewide fire fee that is going up at year’s end,  the proposal is likely to fuel controversy among taxpayers. The item is first on Tuesday’s agenda.  

View December 3 agenda.  View December 4 agenda.

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2013 (San Diego) – An unconscious motorist was rescued from a burning car in Grantville Saturday night by San Diego Police Officer Scott Brengi. 

After the vehicle rolled over, the driver was trapped upside down, suspended by a seatbelt, when the vehicle caught fire.Officer Brengi pried open the door and crawled in on his back to pull the driver to safety as flames reached the passenger compartment..

“The Officer suffered an arm strain and is doing fine," Captain David Rohowits said today.

December 1, 2013 (Rolando)--San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the death of a man in the Rolando area.

On Saturday, November 30th at approximately 11:27 p.m., patrol officers responded to a 911 call of a shooting in the 7100 block of El Cajon Boulevard. Arriving officers located a man in his thirties lying on the ground in a parking lot. He was bleeding from the torso and appeared to have suffered at least one gunshot wound.

Story and photos by Sharon A. Penny

December 1, 2013 (El Cajon)--Thomas Weller of El Cajon has had stories printed throughout the nation about his acts of kindness (by CBS News, The LA Times, People Magazine and NPR, among others), as well as international publications. Yet this East County man remains humble and steadfast in his pursuit of paying it forward.

Weller, known as the San Diego Highwayman (www.sandiegohighwayman.com) has been helping distressed motorists for almost 50 years. He never accepts payment for his kind gestures – which include providing gas for empty tanks to replacing batteries to fixing flats. Instead, he hands each motorist a card with the following inscription:

“Assisting you has been my pleasure. I ask for no payment other than for you to pass on the favor by helping someone in distress that you may encounter.”

From My Bag of Tricks to Yours, by Debra J. Webb (Ready or Not Press, Wyoming, 2012)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- Debra J. Webb, resident of San Diego’s East Countyt and elementary school teacher for 29 years in all grade levels from kindergarten to 6^th grade in the Cajon Valley School District (W.D. Hall Elementary), has written an elementary teacher preparation program book; From My Bag of Tricks to Yours that is designed to lift and motivate teachers as well as the students they teach.

By Janis Mork

November 30, 2013 (Alpine)- At the  Alpine Union School District Board meeting on November 21st, many teachers and the community expressed their frustrations at the school board over fiscal issues, many asking why the Superintendent gets a raise when the district is facing a financial crisis and teachers are being asked to take more furloughs and cuts.

Everyone who spoke voiced anger at the school Board or criticized the Superintendent. In all, there were 22 speakers.  Superintendent Tom Pellegrino responded, “I believe I’m the only person who makes less money,” noting that cuts have negated his raise, as he explained in detail in a later interview with ECM.” I do not have an overall raise.”

November 28, 2013 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – The Jacumba Hikers and Walkers have a new schedule with many interesting outings coming up.  A favorite among participants is the Jacumba Walk About coming up this Saturday, November 30 to explore Jacumba’s hidden treasures.

This three to four mile roundtrip walk is rated easy.   It is also dog friendly, though dogs must be on a six foot leash.