Bonitafest melodrama “Here Comes the Sun” recalls ill-fated attempt to silence Southwestern’s student newspaper

Woman who sued Nathan Fletcher now seeks restraining order against his wife, Lorena Gonzalez

School trustee Bazzo to run for 40th District state Senate seat in 2026

Newsom signs laws to resist Trump's immigration crackdown; including ban on masks for ICE agents

Trump ramps up bullying and censorship efforts against media

East County Eater: Happy Hour at Casa Gabriela features authentic Mexican cuisine, elevated

Destination East County: October outings

Need money for college? Here are scholarship opportunities.

Top hat and tails is theme of La Mesa Chamber's Salute to Local Heroes Oct. 8

ECM World Watch: National and global news

Find your home's hazard risks to prepare for an emergency

Incompetence and cruelty are expensive: Trump’s actions may bankrupt U.S. treasury

STARS VIE TO RAISE MONEY FOR CHARITY AT VIEJAS CELEBRITY SLOT TOURNAMENT MONDAY NOV. 28

November 25, 2011 (Alpine) -- Gretchen Rossi of Bravo's hit reality series "The Real Housewives of Orange County" will join 11 other local celebrities at Viejas Casino on Monday, November 28 in a Celebrity Slot Tournament at Viejas Casino.  100 percent of the winnings from the tournament, which begins at 10:30 a.m., will be donated to the local Salvation Army.

SWAT STANDOFF ON THANKSGIVING NIGHT ENDS WITH ARREST IN EL CAJON

November 25, 2011 (El Cajon) – Stephen Anthony Harris, 20, has been arrested following an all-night stand-off at 118 West Chase Avenue in El Cajon. Residents called 911 at 10:20 p.m. to report that Harris showed up in violation of a court order and began vandalizing property inside the home. Residents fled the home in fear of their safety.

TURKEYS GALORE AND MORE: TOP THANKSGIVING DESTINATIONS IN SAN DIEGO’S INLAND REGIONS

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

November 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Looking for a traditional Thanksgiving feast—or a totally untraditional experience?  Our guides at East County Magazine have left no stone unturned in our quest for the most unusual, delightful and delectable offerings in San Diego’s inland regions this Thanksgiving weekend.  Here are our favorite finds:

GROSSMONT CENTER CELEBRATES 50 YEARS OF HOLIDAY SHOPPING: GROOVY DECOR KICKS OFF RETRO 1960'S HOLIDAYS STARTING FRIDAY

 

November 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, Grossmont Center will unveil new holiday décor complete with bright-colored pencil trees, retro colored lights and peace signs, bringing back nostalgic memories of holidays in the 1960s for the shopping mall’s 50th anniversary holiday season.

WHERE WESTERN MEETS GLAMOUR: COWGIRL BLING OPENS IN PARKWAY PLAZA—WITH SOME COWBOY THINGS TO BOOT

Rhinestone jeans, Montana West leather purses, glitzy saddle blankets and more  in El Cajon’s new store

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

November 21, 2011 (El Cajon)-- “This is my passion,” says Hannah Blume, 16, co-owner of the new Cowgirl Bling store in Parkway Plaza. 

Her mom,  Cheryl Smith, helped Hannah open the shop to bring glitzy Western wear to East County—and to provide a better future for Hannah, a student at El Capitan High School in Lakeside.  

SENATOR JOEL ANDERSON TO HOST HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE DEC. 7

November 23, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Senator Joel Anderson is inviting the local community to a holiday open house, Wednesday, December 7, 6:00 p.m. - 8 pm. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Avenue in El Cajon.


The holiday season is a time to reflect on the experiences of the past year and this open house will provide legislative updates. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be provided (Paid For With Private Funds, Not Tax Dollars). RSVPs are requested to ensure there are enough hors d’oeuvres and refreshment.

SAN DIEGO OFFICIALS JOIN LOCAL AUTHOR IN SPEAKING OUT AGAINST SCHOOL BULLYING – AND OFFERING SOLUTIONS


By Walter G. Meyer
 
November 24, 2011 (San Diego) -- How many people have been bullied at school?  When Councilman Todd Gloria asked that question of adults during a screening of the film “Bullied” at Lestat’s West in Normal Heights, the vast majority raised their hands. 
 

A KNOX HOUSE CHRISTMAS - CELEBRATE THE JOY OF THE SEASON DECEMBER 3

November 23, 2011 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Historical Society invites you to A Knox House Christmas on  December 3, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Knox House Museum, 280 N. Magnolia Avenue, El Cajon CA 92020.


Enjoy tours, an antique police car, sale of handmade and holiday crafts, home baked goods, antique items, art, dolls, old lace, photos plants, new and gently used items, etc., and the Broken Strings band will play. Donations are welcome.

COMFORCARE IN EL CAJON OFFERS PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISCOUNT CARD

 Local in-home care provider comes up with new
ways to save on prescription drugs
 for seniors and their pets.


November 24, 2011(El Cajon, CA) -- Nearly half of all Americans regularly take one prescription medication, according to an August 2011 survey conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center.

YOGURT STORE EMPLOYEES BOUND AND ROBBED IN LA MESA

November 23, 2011 (La Mesa)— A lone gunman forced a female employee to open the door after closing time at the Golden Spoon Frozen Yogurt, 5640 Lake Murray Blvd., around 9:46 p.m. on November 21.   He ordered two employees to a back room and tied up the hands of one behind her back, using zip ties. He then ordered the other employee to hand over money from a safe.

GLASS ELEVATORS OPEN AT LA MESA TROLLEY STATION, GIVING COMMUTERS EASY ACCESS TO SHOPPING AND HOSPITAL


November 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – Mayor Art Madrid cut the ribbon this week at the grand opening of twin glass elevators rising from the Grossmont Trolley Station to the street above. Before, commuters and apartment dwellers along the transit line had to climb a steep flight of 77 stairs to access Grossmont Shopping Center or Grossmont Hospital above, an impossible feat for those in wheelchairs.

ANZA BORREGO SCULPTOR’S ARTISTIC JOURNEY RECOUNTED IN RICARDO BRECEDA: ACCIDENTAL ARTIST

Ricardo Breceda: Accidental Artist, By Diana Lindsay (Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, California, 2012, 240 pages.)
 
Book Review by Dennis Moore
 
“For weeks, for months, I’d been hearing about this crazy-loco artist who does huge life-size metal sculptures of elephants, giraffes, and dinosaurs. Well, the moment we drove up to Ricardo’s compound off of the 215, I’d, too, begun grinning – I just couldn’t help it, I mean, it’s every kid’s dream to travel back in time and come face to face with gigantic mammoths and huge sloths. And all these metal sculptures looked so real and menacing. Then here came Ricardo himself to greet us. He, too, was all smiles and full of happy crazyloco energy.” – Foreword by Victor E. Villasenor

SUPER COMMITTEE FAILURE TRIGGERS STEEP CUTS IN DEFENSE, MEDICARE, VETERANS' BENEFITS AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

November 23, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The Congressional budtet “super committee” charged with reducing the deficit by $1.2 trillion over the next 10 years failed to reach a deal by Monday's deadline. This sets in motion triggers forcing automatic deep cuts starting January 2013 in Defense spending and social programs including Medicare, Social Security, veterans’ benefits and food stamps.

The six Republicans on the 12-member committee demanded spending cuts in domestic programs listed above and sought to extend Bush tax cuts. Democrats wanted to raise taxes on millionaires, minimize cuts to social programs and add stimulus spending aimed at creating jobs while off-setting costs with savings from ending the Iraq War.

KEEP BACTERIA OFF YOUR HOLIDAY GUEST LIST

Safe Food Handling Tips from the Department of Environmental Health

November 23, 2011 (San Diego County) -- Thanksgiving is a time when family and friends come together to celebrate. Because large amounts of food are often prepared and served, food safety is very important. Here are a few safety tips to prevent microscopic guests from joining your party.

 

JULIAN MAKES ‘CHRISTMAS CAROL' NEW AGAIN DECEMBER 9 – DECEMBER 18

 
November 22, 2011 (Julian) --The Julian Stage Company and the Julian Chamber of Commerce present the 2011 stage production of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol--a Julian holiday tradition. 
 
Give a holiday spirit a boost with the classic story of a lonely, miserable, hard-hearted old man who finds the true meaning of life and love during one haunted Christmas Eve. It is a classic story of redemption and good cheer with a corpus of ghosts thrown into the mix.

CLERGY SHARE “OCCU-PIES”


November 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- On the Monday before Thanksgiving, multi-faith leaders from San Diego County held a short service to promote peace and gratitude in support of Occupy San Diego.

Clergy members brought pies to protesters at the Civic Center “to give thanks for all those lifting up the issues of fairness, compassion and equality being shared by this movement,” Rev. David Miller observed.

SENIORS FIRST SAN DIEGO ANNOUNCES UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

New initiative encourages seniors and their loved ones to ‘use their voice’ to advocate on important issues through workshops and social media 

November 22, 2011 (San Diego ) -- Seniors First San DiegoTM, an advocacy program of Senior Community Centers, announces a schedule of workshops in San Diego and Bonita for seniors and their loved ones to use their voice to advocate on important issues, such as care giving, entitlement benefits such as social security and Medicare, transportation, housing and more.

THANKSGIVING DINNERS SOUGHT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE HOMELESS TODAY

 

November 24, 2011 (San Diego)—Do you have an extra meal to spare as a Thanksgiving dinner for a homeless person? 

Jennifer Hughes, a local attorney, is partnering with friends at a local Buddhist temple to deliver Thanksgiving dinners to the homeless.  Hughes has offered to arrange pick up of meals before 4 p.m. today to deliver them to those in need. For pickup, call 619-840-7797.  Alternatively, donated food may be delivered to the temple before 5 p.m.

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 November 22, 2011 (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 reflecting 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.
 
          General news and politics
  • A defense for Thanksgiving (Washington Post)
  • Supercommittee’s failure pushes Bush tax cuts to forefront of 2012 campaign (Washington Post)
  • Idaho man charged with attempting to assassinate Obama (Washington Post)
  • Bomb plot suspect arrested in NYC (BBC)
  • House GOP fails to pass balanced budget amendment (RawStory)
  • Video: Police pepper spray passive students at UC Davis (CBS News)
  • UC Davis police chief placed on leave following pepper-spray incident (Sacramento Bee)
          Energy and environment
  • Meet a 13-year-old solar panel developer (CNN)
  • GOP House energy chairman advocated loan for struggling solar company (The Hill)
  • GE: Cutting residential solar costs in half (USA Today)
  • Congress kills request for national climate service (Washington Post)
  • Romney’s energy advisors all used to work for Bush. Is that good or bad? (New Republic)
 
WORLD
 
  • Gadhafi’s son, Saif al Islam, captured in Libya (BBC)
  • Egypt’s Tarir Square explodes in violence (Slate)
  • Fukushima plant, a world left behind (Washington Post)
  • Ethiopian troops cross border into Somalia (BBC)
Click "read more" to see links, and stories. 

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: NOVEMBER 22, 2011

 November 22,  2011 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights articles on top regional and state issues of interest to East County and inland San Diego County, published in other media. This week’s top Roundup headlines include: 

 
 
 
 
LOCAL
  • SDG&E not telling the truth: Turko investigates smart meters (KUSI)
  • Wildfire reduction program faces funding cuts (KPBS)
  • Navy moves closer to green fleet (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • SDG&E wants higher rates for solar homeowners (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • SDG&E solar charge attacked at San Diego City Council meeting (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • New service lets you pay by the minute to rent electric car: (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Escondido Marine loses legs in Afghanistan blast (North County Times)
 
STATE
  • Studies show climate change impacts in California (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Statewide unemployment declines to 11.7 percent (Sacramento Bee)
  • California Supreme Court deals major blow to gay marriage advocates (Sacramento Bee)
  • California Higher Education Commission shuts down (Sacramento Bee)
  • Community college reforms seek higher completion rates (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Community college reforms make sense (San Diego Union-Tribune 
Click "read more" to see links, and stories
 

BREAST CANCER SURVIVORS PAINTINGS AT LA MESA HEALTH LIBRARY THROUGH THE END OF NOVEMBER

 
November 21, 2011 (La Mesa) -- The Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, a consumer health library in La Mesa, is featuring an exhibit of 21 paintings by East County two breast cancer survivors through the end of November. The exhibit features 10 portraiture paintings by L.J. Crowe of El Cajon and 11 abstract collages and cat portraits by Jean Waters of San Carlos. Both artists are members of the Foothills Art Association.
 

 

KIDS GROW GREEN GIANTS IN THE BONNIE PLANTS COLOSSAL CABBAGE CONTEST


November 22, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Its easy going and growing green with the National Bonnie Plants Cabbage Program.  Kids across America are learning to garden and some are earning a lot of “green” participating in Bonnie’s Cabbage Program.

This season, more than 1.5 million third graders in 48 states dug in and got hands-on gardening experience growing colossal cabbages, reaping hefty harvests and holding high hopes to win “best in state” and receive a $1,000 scholarship towards education from Bonnie Plants.
 

OLD-FASHIONED HOLIDAY CELEBRATION AT JULIAN LIVING CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING NOV. 26


November 19, 2001 (Julian) -- Julian celebrates the holiday season by illuminating the town's enormous living Christmas tree--and paying homage to the individuals who contribute time and energy to making Julian what many consider the best small town in Southern California.
 
The tree lighting will take place in Julian’s Pioneer Park on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, marking the  beginning of the annual Julian Country Christmas celebration--three weeks of holiday festivity during which visitors and residents can capture the spirit of the season in an old fashioned way.
 

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