By Miriam Raftery
 
July 13, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County employees today held a press conference at the San Diego County Administration Center to announce a ballot initiative that would impose term limits for the San Diego County’s Board of Supervisors. Margaret Johnson, a long-term County employee, filed an initiative with the San Diego Registrar of Voters that if approved by voters, would limit Supervisors to two four-year terms.

 
July 13, 2009 (El Cajon)--The El Cajon Community Development Corporation (El Cajon CDC) is looking for artists to turn unattractive utility boxes into works of art through the Utility Box Art Program (UArt).  Deadline for applications is 5 p.m. on July 30th.
 
Painting of the utility boxes was begun several years ago by the former City of El Cajon Arts & Culture Commission. The “paintbrush” has now been passed to the El Cajon CDC. Both residents and passersby by seem to respect the improvements, and areas with painted utility boxes have fewer incidents of litter and graffiti than areas where they have not been painted, El Cajon CDC reports.

July 12, 2009 (Santee) – A small brush fire that started around 4 p.m. this afternoon at 9255 Magnolia, near the Las Colinas Women’s facility in Santee, has been extinguished. The blaze burned less than three acres. No structures were damaged. Sheriff’s deputies alerted mobile home park residents in the vicinity of the fire, but no evacuations were ordered.

July 12, 2009 (Mt. Helix) -- Tickets are now on sale for the second annual HeART of Mt. Helix, a festive summer event from 5:30 pm - 10 pm at Mt. Helix Park, atop the mountain. Local restaurants will be serving signature appetizers. The event also features a "Hometown Heroes" program, music and dancing to the Mar Dels under the stars, plus additional attractions.

 
July 12, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) whose district includes most of East County, will hold a video town hall meeting on Tuesday, July 14th at 6:30 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. To participate, click the “video townhall meeting” link on his website Tuesday evening (http://www.hunter.house.gov/).

This event was previously scheduled for the end of last month but was postponed due to legislative business on the House floor. “As promised, I will be discussing health care reform and cap and trade legislation, while also taking questions on other issues of interest,” Hunter said an an e-mail to constituents and media.

 
July 11, 2009 (San Diego) On Wednesday, July 8, 2009, two inmates housed in the South Bay Detention Facility began to exhibit flu-like symptoms. Initial testing indicated it was the Influenza-A strain of the virus. The inmates were immediately placed in isolation cells and additional testing was ordered. On July 10th, samples from the inmates were tested at the Public Health Laboratory in San Diego. It was subsequently determined one inmate has contracted the H1N1 virus. Both are receiving treatment by medical personnel.

 
Bill aims to create jobs, spur economic growth

Washington, DC – Four of five San Diego Congressional representatives (Democrats Bob Filner and Susan Davis along with Republicans Brian Bilbray and Duncan Hunter) voted to create new jobs and boost the economy by supporting the Small Business Research and Innovation Act, HR 2965. The measure is part of the Obama administration’s long-term economic blueprint designed to spur job creation by encouraging America’s entrepreneurs to innovate toward breakthrough technological advancements. Republican Congressman Darrell Issa voted no.

Facilities include Olympic Training Site in Chula Vista
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bob Filner, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, announced that the House of Representatives approved a critical funding increase for a paralympic program for veterans and members of the Armed Services. Hundreds of injured veterans now actively participate in paralympic sports and training programs that enhance their rehabilitation and promote healing from the wounds of war.

TWO-ALARM FIRE DESTROYS SINGLE STORY HOME IN EL CAJON
July 10, 2009 (El Cajon)--Shortly after 12 noon El Cajon Fire crews responded to a house fire at 861 Grossmont Avenue in El Cajon. As fire crews responded, a large plume of smoke could be seen at a distance, and when they arrived on scene, flames were shooting from the windows.
 

July 9, 2009 (El Cajon)--At 5:15 p.m. this evening El Cajon Fire crews responded to reports of a trailer home fire at the Chieftain Trailer Park, located at 187 Ballard, space number 48-B in El Cajon. Upon arrival firefighters found the trailer home engulfed.

By Miriam Raftery

July 9, 2009 (San Diego, Calif.)- An attorney for three community and environmental groups sent a letter today urging Cleveland National Forest Supervisor William Metz to reject construction of the Sunrise Powerlink transmission line project across the forest. The letter describes in detail numerous legal conflicts between Powerlink and the Forest's overarching management plan. The group also calls on the Forest Service to combine consideration of the Powerlink with an inter-related pending decision: a new Forest Service permit for miles of SDG&E's existing power lines in the forest.

By Miriam Raftery
 
July 8, 2009 (El Cajon)—By a 5-0 vote, Grossmont Union High School District trustees approved a notice of intent to revoke the charter for Helix High School. Superintendent Bob Collins (photo, left) and the trustees made clear that Helix must change the makeup of its governing board and improve procedures to protect students from child molestation, or face revocation of its charter at a hearing in the next month.

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
June 28, 2009 (San Diego)— Last week, President Barack Obama presented his “prescription for America” (http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=7922187&page=1). The President aims to create a public option for a government healthcare program similar to Medicare that would compete against private insurance companies.
 
As debate in Washington D.C. heats up, local advocates are speaking out, holding forums, and mobilizing citizens in San Diego and East County to lobby legislators in favor of healthcare reform—a move they say is needed to counter heavy lobbying by health insurers, pharmaceutical companies and other healthcare industry interests. But while some applaud the Obama plan, others believe it doesn’t go far enough—and believe only a single-payer plan which eliminates private insurance will solve our healthcare crisis. Still others oppose any government healthcare plan option, arguing it will prove costly and cost jobs in the private healthcare industry.

 
July 9, 2009 (San Diego) -- Here's some news the kids will "snap" up:  Salvation Army Kroc Center announces its popular "Hot Kroc Nights" and "Pool Flicks" are back for the 2009 Summer Season. Hot Kroc Nights offer family specials for ice skating or swimming every Wednesday night through August 26.
 
Pool Flicks,  July 29 and August 19, provide a cool way for families to enjoy a movie together. Guests are given inner tubes and invited to float in the recreation pool while watching a family-oriented film.  

 
The Institute for Palliative Medicine in San Diego will operate California’s first statewide consultative service for palliative care resources

July 8, 2009 (San Diego) – Communities in California lacking palliative medicine resources will now receive top quality palliative care consultative and educational support through a new hotline housed and operated by The Institute for Palliative Medicine. The pilot launch took place in San Diego on Monday, July 6, 2009. Once the pilot phase is completed, the hotline will roll out statewide in September.

July 8, 2009 (San Diego) -- Health Reform will impact all of us. Proposals are emerging from Congress, the White House, organizations and groups across the country. By July, several strong proposals will be taking shape and major issues clearly on the table. Successful health reform should address not only how coverage and access to care will be provided, but also how that coverage will be financed though taxes, provider payment reductions, insurance reforms and savings. To assess those issues, a broad coalition of healthcare and business interests  led by San Diegans for Healthcare Coverage is hosting “Health Reform, The Devil is Still in the Details,” an audience participation forum on Friday, July 17 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Mission Valley Doubletree, 7450 Hazard Center Drive in San Diego. 

Plus popular East County liberal and conservative talk show hosts return to airways in resurgence of localism

July 4, 2009 (San Diego)—Alpine resident and East County radio personality Stacy Taylor will be returning to the airways soon on Liberty One Radio, organizers announced at a July 4 press conference. “As our forefathers did in creating this great nation, we are here to announce the creation of Liberty One Radio, where your voice and the voice of freedom can again be heard,” Hector Bonilla, chief financial officer said. The station will feature locally-produced newscasts, national and local talk show hosts including East County radio personality Stacy Taylor.

 
July 8, 2009 (San Diego)--Architect Simi Razavian will demonstrate how people of Tabbas, Iran used micro-climate and local materials to create energy-efficient homes. She will illustrate how they used sun, wind, and water, along with thermal mass to create not only zero energy consumption buildings but also private and comfortable homes.

July 7, 2009 (San Diego)--A new chapter was added to the history books at San Diego State University on July 1. The arena on the SDSU campus has been known as Cox Arena ever since it opened its doors 1997. But Wednesday, the name officially changed to Viejas Arena.
 

July 5, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Foundation has announced that $83,500 has been raised so far --mostly from five local entities -- for six perpetual, $1,000-a-year scholarships for Grossmont College students as part of a partnership with the San Francisco-based Bernard Osher Foundation.
 
Additional scholarship monies raised over the next two years by the Grossmont College Foundation for Osher Foundation-related scholarships could result in as many as 55 perpetual, $1,000-a-year scholarships for Grossmont College students.   Osher has pledged to match up to $25 million in funds raised to help deserving students afford a community college education.

by Sheila Kuehl

July 2009 (Sacramento)--As many of you may know, I was the author of a bill to establish a Medicare-like, single payer program in California. The bill passed both houses of our state legislature in 2006 and, again, in 2008, and was vetoed both times by the current Governor. Since I termed out of the Legislature at the end of last November, the bill is being carried this year by Sen. Mark Leno (SB 810).
 
In 2008, not-yet-President Obama proposed, as a part of his healthcare reform package, the establishment of a "public option"---an insurance plan offered by the federal government as an alternative to private health insurance, and against which the private companies, left in place, would compete.
 
I have been asked how those who support single payer should respond to this proposal and how those who want health reform for the country might express their opinions.

 
July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)--Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way.  
 
Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing nebulae to the shattered remains of once mighty suns to our galaxy's most distant stellar clusters."

 
 
July 4, 2009 (El Caj on)--At 11:05 a.m. this morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning uphill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were able to contain the blaze in approximately 30 minutes, but remained on scene for over an hour and a half putting out hot spots.

D.A. and Sheriff's Dept. Open Investigations into Incident

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2009 (San Diego) – The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has issued a statement accusing the San Diego Sheriff’s Department of excessive use of force and violations of civil rights against the hostess and guests at a fundraising party for  Francine Busby, Democratic candidate in the 50th Congressional District.  

 
Lawmaker voted "No" on budget that included tax increases aimed at preventing deep cuts in services and closure of state parks
 
By Miriam Raftery
 
July 2, 2009 (Sacramento) – Assembly Bill 1506 by Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon), would let people and businesses receiving state IOUs use them as payments to the state for DMV fees, payroll taxes or other debts. Set for hearing July 7, AB 1506 would apply to individuals, cities, counties, healthcare facilities, nonprofits, and others.
 
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency July 1 and ordered issuance of state IOUs after the Legislature failed to pass a budget.  Anderson joined other Republicans in refusing to vote for any budget that would raise fees or taxes. Democrats argue that revenue increases are critical to avoid closing state parks and deeply cutting public services such as healthcare, education, and more.  Options proposed by Democrats, but rejected by Republicans and the Governor, included raising taxes on cigarettes, cutting corporate tax loopholes, and charging oil extraction fees to oil companies similar to charges levied by most other states.

 
July 2, 2009 (San Diego)--Local nonprofit organizations serving people with autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities will drastically cut back on services, or be forced to close their doors if the state follows through on plans to further cut funding, according to a new survey.
 

By the East County Eater

June 30, 2009 (East County)--Watching “Anna and the King of Siam” is the closest I’ve come to visiting Thailand. But if dining at Basil Thai Bistro is a reflection of what Thailand is like – I wanna go. From exquisite food to exotic décor, Basil Thai is a true dining out adventure.

The interior has whimsical Asian elements, from Thai temple statues to origami swan napkins. Everything is neat and tidy and very inviting. The lighting (so important) is perfect and the overall feeling is like being invited by Thai royalty to dine--then being treated like the King himself.

July 1, 2009 (Lemon Grove)--The City of Lemon Grove will present free concerts on Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.at Berry Street Park, starting July 9th. Bring your own picnic basket or have a barbecue while listening to the music--and don’t forget your blankets and lawn chairs for your listening pleasure.

June 27, 2009 (Alpine_ Looking for a wild time? East County's only big cat sanctuary invites you to spend a wild night in the country with Raja and Bakari at Lions Tigers & Bears. Pitch a tent and set-up camp next to the big cats--or opt for more luxurious lodging--complete with wine and dinner.

 
By Miriam Raftery
 
June 23, 2009 (San Diego)-- An estimated 200 to 300 people turned out to protest state budget cuts in San Diego, outside Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office downtown. Some carried coffins and a skeleton sign—grim symbols of the consequences they believe will result from severe cuts to health and social services programs.
 
Ann Menasche, a lawyer with San Diego Disability Action Coalition, said the cuts will be “devastating” to disabled individuals. “People already don’t have enough to live on,” she said the predicted, “With cuts to SSI and Medicare, we are going to see more homeless people and more hunger.”