December 2015 Articles

SNOW IN LA MESA AT CHRISTMAS IN THE VILLAGE DEC. 11-12

 

East County News Service

December 10, 2015 (La Mesa) – This year’s Christmas in the Village will feature snow, Santa, carolers, holiday movies, kids’ face painting, fire pits, entertainment and more family fun. The event will be held rain or shine on Friday and Saturday, December 11 and 12 from 5 to 9 p.m. in the historic La Mesa Village.


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HEDBERG URGES STATE TO REVISE WATER CUTS MANDATE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 10, 2015 (Sacramento) – Helix Water District board member Kathleen Hedberg spoke at a public workshop in Sacramento held by the State Water Resources Control Board on Monday.  Hedberg urged the Board to revise  current emergency regulations that mandate huge water cuts statewide and to take into consideration water districts where customers have already been conserving.

In an impassioned plea, she noted that Helix customers already cut use and have exceeded the mandate, but that this has forced many to allow trees and shrubs to die. She noted that the district has invested in increasing water supply and has adequate water to meet customer needs.

"My constituents and Helix Water District customers are outraged and frustrated that they have paid for water supply, storage and reliability projects and we are being told to cut back on water use even when we have enough water as we prepared for drought times and the future," Hedberg testified. Below are her full comments to the Board, along with her assessment of mixed reactions received from state regulators:


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PAROLEE ARRESTED AFTER CHASE, CRASH AND CARJACKING ATTEMPT

 

 

By Liz Alper

December 10, 2015 (El Cajon) - On Tuesday, a parole violator led a Sheriff's deputy on a wild chase through unincorporated El Cajon in a stolen vehicle.


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ROLLER DERBY BOOT CAMP & TRYOUT FOR NEW LEAGUE DEC.19 IN LA MESA

 

December 8, 2015 (La Mesa)--The East County Roller Girls is a new start-up women's Roller Derby league that will play under WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) rules.

A boot camp and tryout will be held on Sunday, December 19 at 11 a.m. at 8855 Dallas Street, La Mesa. Childcare will be provided.


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VINE SPIRITS: HOLIDAY WINE TRAIL CONTINUES DEC. 12-13

 

 

East County News Service

December 9, 2015 (Ramona)--The Ramona Valley Vineyard invites you to take a break from the holiday hustle and give yourself and and your friends a unique holiday wine experience.  You can join  Join 15 RVVA member wineries on December 12th & 13th for the second weekend of wine, fun and holiday spirits along the Holiday Wine Trail.

Your “Get Your Merry On” Holiday Wine Trail Passport is your ticket to great deals and festive fun over all four days of the wine trail.  Each participating winery is offering different holiday wine trail specials including heavily discounted tastings and pairings, bottle and merchandise discounts, unique holiday gift items featuring local artisans.


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NEW FILINGS IN ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL CASE

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (Alpine) – A lawsuit over a high school for Alpine is slated to be back in Superior Court downtown on December 17at 9:30 a.m.

Alpine taxpayers and the Alpine Union School District have filed a  reconsideration request asking Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman to grant Alpine’s  motion for summary adjudication and deny Grossmont’s motion for summary judgment, in  light of a Court of Appeals decision that found  Propositions H and U contain a promise to build an Alpine High School. 

Grossmont filed a  response asking just the opposite – urging Judge Pressman to deny Alpine’s motion for reconsideration.


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SANTA COMES TO CALIFORNIA WELCOME CENTER IN ALPINE DEC. 17

 

December 8, 2015 (Alpine)- The California Welcome Center at Viejas Outlet Center invites you to celebrate with Santa at a free community open house sponsored by the San Diego East Visitors Bureau on December 17 from 3 to 8 p.m.


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ATTENDANCE TOPS 200 AT RANCHO SAN DIEGO LIBRARY’S FIRST ‘WINTERFEST’

 

Next up: Star Wars Day Dec. 12

Photo, left: “Snow Queen” from Parties Unique company greets a miniature, costumed Elsa from “Frozen” during Winterfest at the San Diego County Library Rancho San Diego Branch on Dec. 5, 2015

Story and photos by Megan Just

December 8, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) − Though it’s been two years since the release of Disney’s “Frozen,” Elsa and Anna still have the power to draw a crowd.  In this case, the princesses, played by performers from the Parties Unique company, were the headliners of Winterfest at the San Diego County Library, Rancho San Diego Branch, on Saturday afternoon.

The festival, which included cookie decorating, holiday crafts, an ugly sweater contest, an instant-print photo booth, and two princess-led sing-along performances, drew a crowd of more than 200 children and accompanying adults.


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CALIFORNIA UTILITY COMMISSION'S "CARBON-POLLUTING POWER GRAB" FACES LEGAL SCRUTINY

 

Legal action taken to address backroom dealing and  approval of Carlsbad Gas Plant 

East County News Service

Photo:  Gas power plant in Ruskin, Florida

December 7, 2015 (San Diego)--Earthjustice, an environmental legal organization representing the Sierra Club, filed an appeal today in California’s First District Court of Appeal challenging the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC)  decision that would allow San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) to build a controversial gas-fired power plant in Carlsbad.  The environmental groups call the CPUC’s action a “carbon polluting power grab.”


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JULIAN RESIDENTS RAISE CONCERNS OVER HOUSING PROJECT IN RURAL AREA

 

Deadline for  written comments is Dec. 9; oral comments will be heard Dec. 11 at County Planning Commission

By Kiki Skagen Munshi


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HOVERBOARDS ARE EXPLODING, CAUSING FIRES

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Hoverboards are hot gift items this season—in more ways than one. The National Association of Fire Marshals has issued a warning about fire dangers after numerous hoverboards, or electronic scooters without handles, burst into flames in the U.S. and abroad.


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LEAPING LIZARDS! GILA MONSTER VENOM HOLDS PROMISE FOR DEVELOPMENT OF NEW DIABETES DRUG

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (San Diego)—A lowly lizard—and a poisonous one at that—could hold the secret to treating diabetes.

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute say that they have altered molecules from a protein found in venom of Gila Monster lizards, then using a process called autocrine selection, activate cellular receptors in positive ways.


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IRAQI GROUP HOSTS "YOUTH CONFERENCE: CHALLENGES AND SOLUTIONS" DEC. 17 IN EL CAJON

 

East County News Service

December 8, 2015 (El Cajon) – The IraqiCenter for Dialogue invites you to participate in a " Youth Conference" on December 17 at 11 a.m. at the Royal Palace, 1340 Broadway, El Cajon, CA 92021.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

December 8, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's 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.

WORLD

General world news

 Terror news:

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


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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ALPINE BECOMES WINTER WONDERLAND FOR A NIGHT

By Miriam Raftery

December 7, 2015 (Alpine)—Santa and Mrs. Claus rode in on a fire truck as Alpine’s Parade of Lights rolled through town.  The procession included everything from donkeys to big rigs—all festooned in holiday lights.

A craftsman wielded a chainsaw, carving a work of art from a block of ice amid a Snow Festival at the parade route’s end in the Alpine Creek shopping center.  His handicrafts included a glistening reindeer, gingerbread man and more.

Kids skidded gleefully down a sledding hill created just for the occasion, while adults and kids alike frolicked in frothy snow bubbles spewed into the air by a snow-making machine.


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PRESIDENT CALLS ISLAMIC STATE “CULTURE OF DEATH”, ASKS CONGRESS TO AUTHORIZE MILITARY FORCE

 

December 6, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--In a speech today at the Oval Office, President Barack Obama denounced the San Bernardino massacre that killed 14 people and wounded 21 more as an "act of terrorism."  He denounced the “dark path of radicalization” that the husband and wife shooters to embrace a “perverted” form of Islam that calls for war on America and the west.”

 The President pledged to “destroy ISIL” and protect the homeland.  He also called on Congress to take several actions.

"If Congress believes, as I do, that we are at war with ISIL, it should go ahead and vote to authorize the continued use of military force against these terrorists," Obama said. "I think it's time for Congress to vote to demonstrate that the American people are united and committed to this fight.”


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FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: LISTEN UP! THE BEST GIFT THIS SEASON DOESN'T COST A DIME

 
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 6, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The holidays provide a good opportunity to spend quality time with family, friends and coworkers. Rather than getting stressed about holiday obligations, think about these opportunities as making “deposits” in your relationship banks. The time you spend is an investment into the relationship’s long-term success.


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READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: FROM DECEMBER 6, 2015

 

 

 

For complete Calendar including Authors Events,

go to

http://SDWriteWay.org



 

This column is also published in the

 

http://EastCountyMagazine.org



 

Readers

 

December 6, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - December 6 (Sunday, 12:00 pm) — Warwick's is hosting Elias Weiss Friedman to sign his book The Dogist. Elias Weiss Friedman is a photographer whose singular portraits of dogs have drawn more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram, where he is known as @TheDogist.


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JIMMY CARTER: CANCER FREE AFTER TREATMENT WITH NEW DRUG

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2015 (Plains, Georgia)--This Christmas season, former President Jimmy Carter and his family are celebrating a medical miracle.


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AZTECS WIN CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

 
All photos credited to:  Derrick Tuscan, SDSU Athletic Media Relations  
 
 
By Liz Alper
 
December 6, 2015 (San Diego) - In Aztec culture, the warrior is seen as strong and fearless in the face of adversity.  The Aztecs haven't faced that much adversity in nine weeks.  Last night, it smacked them in the face, but they stayed true to their name and stayed strong up until the final seconds of the Mountain West conference championship game.

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LA MESA COUNCIL TO WEIGH BAN ON POT SHOP DELIVERIES

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 6, 2015 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council will consider an ordinance Tuesday that would ban mobile dispensing and delivery of marijuana. Medical marijuana clinics are already illegal in the city and voters recently rejected a measure that would have allowed them, however a number of clinics have sprung up despite that ban, offering home delivery services.

The La Mesa Council meets at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, December 8th


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PROPOSAL TO REJECT ECPAC BID, MOVE FORWARD ON ANIMAL SHELTER AMONG AGENDA ITEMS FOR EL CAJON COUNCIL

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECPAC lobby

December 6, 2015 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon’s Council has a number of important topics on its agenda for the Council meeting Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Several are on the consent calendar – including a proposal to reject the only bid received for construction renovations on the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).  Although 30 prospective bidders obtained bid packages, only one bid was received.  That bid, from Kinsman Construction Inc. in San Diego, was for over $3.7 million – far above the $2.7 to $2.9 million that an engineer estimated the work should cost.


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WITNESSES SOUGHT IN FATAL DOG-THROWING CRIME; MISSING AND INJURED SMALL DOG ALSO SOUGHT

 

December 5, 2015 (Rolando)--County Animal Services is asking for the public’s help in finding out who threw two small dogs out the window of a car in the Rolando area Wednesday evening, leaving one dead and the other injured.


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LA MESA CHAMBER ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF CHILDREN'S HOLIDAY PROJECT

 

East County News Service

December 4, 2015 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces completion of the new “Children’s Holiday Project.” The following will be presented to Maxine Lynch for La Mesa boys and girls on Thursday, December 10: 35 pairs of shoes, 54 shirts, 200 pairs of underwear, 170 pairs of socks and 20 fleece jackets. In addition, over 46 stuffed animals have been donated for local children by the Town and Country Resort Hotel.


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ALL ABOARD! NORTH POLE LIMITED

 

December 5, 2015 (Campo)--The famous North Pole Limited returns to celebrate the holiday season at the Pacific southwest Railway Museum in Campo. This special holiday production is offered with the help of the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum Association’s volunteers in cooperation with Mountain Empire and Bonita Vista Valley High Schools.


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GROSSMONT FOOTHILLERS PRESENT A MOVING PORTRAYAL OF THE MIRACLE WORKER DEC. 2-4 & 9-12

 

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

December 4, 2015 - (La Mesa) - It's a miracle time of year, and if you are familiar with the story of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan, The Miracle Worker definitely qualifies. The play is more the story of teacher Annie Sullivan, and Bella Snyder pulled off this strong character beautifully.


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BALLOT MEASURE WOULD ASK VOTERS TO APPROVE BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR AMMUNITION

 

East County News Service

December 5, 2015 (Sacramento) – The National Rifle Association is one of the most powerful lobbies in America, donating huge sums to politicians and mobilizing its members to oppose gun control at the state and federal level even though polls consistently show the public supports some restrictions, such as background checks.


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TERROR PROBE IN SAN BERNARDINO MASSACRE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Syed Rizwan Farook

December 4, 2015 (San Bernardino)—Evidence emerging in the mass shooting at a San Bernardino social services center yesterday  points to terrorism as the apparent motive. 

Syed Rizwan Farook, an American Muslim born in Chicago, and his Pakistani bride, Tashfeen Malik, dropped their baby off with a grandparent before donning assault gear and opening fire using assault weapons at an office holiday party. The barrage left 14 people dead and 21 injured.  Both suspects were later killed in a firefight with law enforcement after fleeing the scene in an SUV.  Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS, the Islamic State, on Facebook the very day of the attack, the New York Times reports, citing an unnamed official.  It is not yet known if the attack was directed by ISIS or if the terrorists acted independently, inspired by ISIS.

Officials suspect Farook became radicalized by Islamic extremists. He had had been in touch with at least one individual monitored as a possible terror suspect, a senior federal government official reportedly told the Los Angeles Times, adding that there could be a “deeper terror matrix” behind yesterday’s massacre. Authorities have not ruled out a workplace violence motivation potentially in combination with terrorism.


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