November 2, 2011 (Jamul) Drama students from Santee High School will perform a free reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, November 5 at Jamul Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn. The performance is part of students’ preparatory work for their November production of this classic holiday story.
Arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a light dinner, with readings beginning at 5:15 p.m. Talk back and dessert follows.
November 2, 2011 (McCain Valley) - The County has authorized SDG&E and the Daley Corporation to perform asphalt repairs on McCain Valley Road on Friday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Work areas will be closed for the safety of workers. One lane will remain open and access to property will be maintained at all times while general repairs are completed due to Sunrise Powerlink construction activities.
November 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the September 12, 2011 shooting death of Raymond Garcia. The vehicle was apparently purchased in El Cajon.
November 2, 2011 (Sacramento) -- The Department of Fish and Game (DFG) reminds out-of-state hunters to take appropriate precautions to prevent the introduction of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) into California.
November 2, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Armchair Impressionists, including Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, William Marsh, and guest artist Carol Harris, will feature their paintings November 1 - 30 at the Rancho San Diego Library. Area residents are invited to join them at an artist’s reception, November 6 from 2 – 4 pm in the Community Room.
November 2, 2011 (Lake Murray) --This is one of my favorite birds. It’s also John Vanderpoel’s #183 bird on his 2011 “Big Year” bird list. More on that later.
The Green Heron is an odd sort of bird, short and stocky; it reminds me of a cartoon caricature from the 1960’s. It is smart, tough, and intolerant of other birds--even other herons!
Six honorees were recognized for their work with the Somali and East African Refugee Community
November 2, 2011 (San Diego) — Somali Family Service of San Diego (SFS) held its First Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration to honor and recognize six community members who have made significant contributions in advancing the nation’s second largest Somali and East African refugee population on Wednesday, October 19.
November 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has extended today’s red flag alert through this evening as hot, gusty winds continue through much of East County.
A fire burning in Mexico is putting up smoke visible in the southeast portion of the County.
November 2, 2011 (El Cajon)-- The FBI and El Cajon Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the unknown male responsible for robbing the Pacific Western Bank, 368 Broadway, El Cajon, California, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.
November 1, 2011 (Sacremento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block has announced Hire a Hero - Hire a Vet, a job fair that focuses on presenting job opportunities for service members returning from war. Block especially wants to let everyone know about the job fair so they can let the vets themselves, or someone they know about it.
The fair is focused on connecting Veterans, National Guard, and Reservists returning from active duty to companies currently hiring. The event is free and open to the public. Members of Block's staff will be available at the event to answer any state-related questions or concerns.
November 1, 2011 (La Mesa) – Take a step back in time on the La Mesa Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, November 5. Sponsored by the La Mesa Historical Society, this year's tour features five historic houses by noted local architects, some of whom went on to even greater architectural fame.
November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 for San Diego’s mountain areas.
Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity will create “explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warns.
Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds of 40-50 mph are forecast, with gusts up to 60 mph in some areas.
November 1, 2011 (Ramona) – A suspected problem in overhead electrical lines is believed to be the cause behind a power outage that has impacted 653 customers in east Ramona, Barona, and the Iron Mountain area.
November 1, 2011 (San Diego) - Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award (SEIA) in the Project Developer category.
Update 6:45 p.m. -- San Onofre has cancelled the alert issued earlier and now reports that its onsite emergency response team has contained the release and cleaned up hazardous material at the unit following an ammonia leak. The leak had no impact on radioactive material or cooling units.
Plumbing union expert involved with installation of piping and ammonia monitoring system at plant speaks with ECM
Alpine residents lodge new complaints; Lakeside residents plan community meeting Wed. Nov. 2 over noise concerns
By Miriam Raftery
November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, the County revoked a variance granted to SDG&E for helicopter work along Sunrise Powerlink on Sundays in areas where residents had complained. So on Sunday, October 30, residents were looking forward to some much-anticipated peace and quiet –only to find the silence broken once again by the loud roar of helicopters.
At least some of the flights appear to be violating the County’s ban on Sunday flights, according to LeAnn Carmichael with the County Department of Planning and Land Use.
November 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Lawyer Chapter and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society present: The Financial Crisis: “What is the Role of Government in Regulating Wall Street?”
The event will take place on Wednesday, November 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. at the San Diego County Bar Association, 1333 7th Avenue, San Diego.
November 1, 2011, (Lemon Grove ) -- The seventh annual Western Round Up andChili Cook-off, sponsored by Lemon Grove Soroptimists, sends up a flare on Nov. 5.
Such cayenne masters as Willie Tellez of Pro Drain Plumbing, lawyers Helen Zeldes, Airene Haeggquist and Amber Eck (sans suits and briefcases), and, of course, those heat-seeking champs from the Lemon Grove Fire Department will braise entire cows laced with habañera and cabanelle chilis--the kind that stopped scurvy in its tracks on Columbus's first voyage to the new world.
November 1, 2011 (La Mesa)—Gerry Bullard, 22, and Keith Davis, 26 have been arrested on charges of car jacking and armed robbery, La Mesa Police report. The men may be responsible for multiple robberies in La Mesa and elsewhere in the County, according to La Mesa Police.
November 1, 2011 (El Cajon) -- November is National Diabetes Month. Learn about diabetes and how the proper nutrition can make a difference from a Sharp Certified Diabetes Educator. Lecture is Tuesday, November 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. followed by a free blood glucose screening from 3 to 3:30 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St. La Mesa. Reservation required. Call 1-800-827-4277.
San Diego’s East County is home to the largest population of Iraq War refugees in the U.S. and the second largest Iraqi immigrant population the nation. In a special assignment for East County Magazine, Nabil Taha interviewed local Iraqis and also translated Iraqi TV reports to learn Iraqis’ views on withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.
"At Home” is a new series highlighting creative homes and lifestyles in San Diego East County communities.
By
Miriam Raftery
“Straw bale building is like a barn raising—a wonderful, friendly activity that reaches out and brings people together.” – Kim Hamilton
October 30, 2011 (Deerhorn Valley) – Four years after the Harris Fire burned down their barn, Kim Hamilton and Rob Deason celebrate completion of a new art and music studio made with straw-bale construction and hands-on help from friends, family and neighbors.Since the community also lost its former gathering place at a local fire station, the new studio doubles as a meeting room for the Deerhorn Valley Community Association.
The new structure is both fire resistant and green--built of natural, sustainable materials with insulating qualities ideal for the climate extremes found in this rural community.
Oct. 31, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – Local community activist Connie Frankowiak will once again make a run for Congressman Duncan Hunter’s (R-Alpine) seat in the United States Congress in 2012. In June, she will face off against fellow Democrat David Secor, Tea Party activist Terri Linnell, and Congressman Hunter in the new “top two” open primary. As the name states, only the top two vote getters will move on to the general election in November.
We are sorry to advise you that due to extreme cloudy conditions we must postpone the stargazing event originally scheduled for tonight Friday November 18th. We will attempt to reschedule at a later date - weather permitting.
October 31, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La Mesa’s November free family fun events begin November 5 with a tennis play day featuring an introduction to the new 10-and-under tennis program and concludes with a stargazing program on November 18.
October 29, 2011 (El Cajon) – A crash on September 30 at Chase Ave. and Jamacha Rd. in Rancho San Diego has left two men battling major injuries. Josh Zelt remains hospitalized in very serious condition, while Heath Holley was recently released and is beginning his recovery from home, according to the San Diego Chapter of the American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK).
October 30, 2011 (Boulevard) -- At 6:20 am I walked into the sun. Tormented by drama in my mind, it took a while to sink in. It was a cool morning, about 64 degrees. I was walking up a sweat. And then I saw. I saw the beginnings of color of the sunrise. The clouds were gently dancing across the sky that was bluing before my eyes. The underside of the clouds became tinged with yellow with the shining of the sun.
November 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the September 12, 201
By Greg Dunne
Six honorees were recognized for their work with the Somali and East African Refugee Community
November 1, 2011 (Sacremento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block has announced Hire a Hero - Hire a Vet, a job fair that focuses on presenting job opportunities for service members returning from war. Block especially wants to let everyone know about the job fair so they can let the vets themselves, or someone they know about it.
November 1, 2011 (San Diego) - Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award (SEIA) in the Project Developer category. 
November 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- 
DIABETES LECTURE AND SCREENING
![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/resize/Ammar-Alhafidh-sm-250x214.jpg "“I am really worried about my country after U.S. troops withdrawal from Iraq," says Ammar Alhafidh of El Cajon.")
By Sharon Courmousis Sacred Rocks Reserve
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