"There are an estimated 1.4 billion people living in poverty and existing on less than $1.25 a day...Good news is that you can do something about this!" --La Mesa Fair Trade
October 10, 2011 (La Mesa)—On Tuesday, La Mesa’s City Council will consider a resolution to declare the community a “Fair Trade"city.
About two dozen cities nationwide have already been designated "Fair Trade Towns USA" including Chicago, Boston, San Francisco and other major cities as well as smaller communities such as Taos, New Mexico and Burlington, Vermont. Supporters have established a website at http://lamesafairtrade.blogspot.com.
October 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Halloween is coming soon and with it, the annual tradition of finding the perfect pumpkin for carving a jack-o-lantern—not to mention sweeter varieties for baking pumpkin pies! Fortunately, there are several great places in East County to find giant pumpkins, as well as fun family activities from corn mazes to petting zoos.
October 9, 2011 (Ocotillo) – ECM has received photos and an e-mail from Jim Pelley, a motorcyclist who reports finding metal cables strung two feet off the ground across roadways in Ocotillo frequented by off-road vehicle enthusiasts.
The cables were attached to an SDG&E helicopter “pulling cables from tower to tower,” Pelley reports.”This is a serious situation and I am worried that someone will not see this cable and a serious accident will result with either the off road vehicle or the helicopter.”
October 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Susan Brinchman, director and founder of the Center for Electrosmog Prevention, has announced that she will join the Occupy San Diego effort downtown with rallies to draw attention to health issues involving smart meters.
“Smart meters are an excessive form of corporate abuse of our bodies and our rights,” Brinchman wrote in an email to supporters and media. “Let us join our anti-smart meter efforts to the Wall Street protests in our local cities and towns.”
Parent Association honored as statewide winner in 2011 Spotlight Awards
October 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Executive Director, Kenny Rogers visited Northmont Elementary School in La Mesa to honor Northmont Elementary PTA for their efforts helping children get physically active and healthy.
Rogers presented the school with a check for $10,000 in honor of the PTA, which is the Gold Medal winner in the Parent Association of the Year category of the Council’s 2011 Spotlight Awards presented by the Anthem Blue Cross Foundation.
October 9, 2011 (San Diego) -– As part of its national drive to end veteran homelessness by 2015, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System (VASDHS) and its community partners will host a Homeless Veterans Outreach Campaign event on Oct.12, 2011. The event will inform the public about the many programs available for veterans who are currently homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in San Diego County.
October 9, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – The Tahirih Justice Center, which seeks to protect women in the U.S. from gender-based violence, reports “an increasing number of forced marriage cases involving young women and girls from traditional immigrant communities in the United States.” Some are U.S. citizens; others are legal permanent residents, refugees, asylees, or have other immigration statuses.
October 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine has received the following request from a reader who is having trouble obtaining refinancing on a construction loan to rebuild her home destroyed in the Cedar Fire.
October 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – Two transients have been arrested for stealing a bicycle and attempting to steal a backpack and cell phone from a man at Collier Park yesterday, La Mesa Police report. One of the men also reportedly threatened to beat up the victim if he would not relinquish his property. Those arrested are John Allen Bass and Jamar Brown, both age 24.
October 9, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)—The Water Conservation Garden’s Executive Director, Marty Eberhardt, has announced her retirement, effective February 1, 2012, after over seven years of service to the non-profit organization. Eberhardt has been the Executive Director of The Garden since August 2004.
Games aim to make it fun for kids to learn how they can help prevent the disease
October 9, 2011 (San Diego)--Now, learning how to “Fight the Bite” and protect yourself from West Nile virus can be fun, says the San Diego County Department of Environmental Health. The agency has created a new website, http://www.SDSwatTeam.com, and two specially-created video games to let kids (and even adults) play while learning about protecting themselves and others from West Nile virus, the potentially-deadly disease that is spread by mosquitoes.
October 9, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University (SDSU) has received a joint grant of $1.67 million for its Jobs Accelerator program from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Small Business Administration and the Employment Training Administration (ETA).
“Our number one priority is job creation,” said Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego), in announcing the award. “Our region has been in dire need of this type of investment in our economy and our students. In a time when school and local budgets are being cut to the bone, this grant will go a long way to creating the good paying jobs we need, training the workforce, and help us move into a new green energy economy.”
October 9, 2011 (Spring Valley) –Tim Parton, former pianist for the Legacy Five gospel music group and 2011 musician of the year nominee by AbsolutelyGospel.com, will perform at Faith Chapel in Spring Valley on October 16.
An accomplished pianist and vocalist, Parton began playing piano at age two and is a self-taught prodigy who attributes his talents to God. In addition to performing in Nashville and other venues including his current West Coast solo tour, Parton also produced albums for Legacy Five.
Editor’s note: In an article on Alpine Planning Group Member George Barnett’s resignation, Mr. Barnett stated that he considered his greatest accomplishment to be getting two developers off the planning group's board: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7330 . He did not identify those planners by name.(Mr. Barnett later rescinded his resignation: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7362). Now one of the individuals he referenced, Paul Gonya, claims that his circumstances were portrayed inaccurately by Mr. Barnett. Mr. Gonya states that it's not true that he was found guilty in a civil trial. While true, he did plead guilty in a criminal (not civil) trial to grand theft embezzlement charges, as the Alpine Sun and Union-Tribune reported: http://www.thealpinesun.com/archive%202009/May%207/as%20inside.html and http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2009/may/01/bn01plea18624/?metro. A settlement was reached in a civil trial:
October 9, 2011 (Alpine)--Mr. Barnett’s statement regarding “two former Alpine Planning Group members being found guilty in a civil trial involving fraud and embezzlement” is emphatically untrue. More important, Mr. Barnett fails to mention that the defendants in the case filed a cross complaint for fraud and misappropriation of funds against the plaintiffs when the business partnership fell apart in 2006.
October 9 2011 (Julian) – Rogelio Malihan, 53, died at the scene of a three-motorcycle accident shortly after noon today while riding with his son and a close friend on southbound Highway 79.
October 8, 2011, (Alpine) -- Not all pictues of all k9 kids included this time. However, here are their descriptions. They areallvery good looking, and get along nicely with other dogs and kids. They all bond closely and have never shown any aggressive behavior.
October8, 2011 (El Cajon ) – The Home of Guiding Hands 29thGolf Classic Pro-Am Tournament will tee off on Friday, October 14at Sycuan Resort and Casino in El Cajon. Proceeds will benefit children and adults with developmental disabilities in this community.
The event includes a day of golf with a San Diegio PGA member, entertaining contests, activities, buffet dinner, and auction. For more information, visit http://www.guidinghands.org/events_golf2011.shtml
October 8, 2011 (SAn Diego) -- Would San Diego residents survive a major earthquake? They would greatly improve their chances of escaping serious injury or death by taking the safest action: Drop, Cover and Hold On. San Diego County residents have three more weeks to join the nearly eight million Californians, including more than 646,000 people in San Diego County, who have already signed up for the Great California ShakeOut earthquake drill, which will take place at 10:20 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20 or 10:20 on 10/20.
“We are challenging our residents, community and business leaders to register for the ShakeOut drill and make earthquake preparedness part of their emergency plan,” said Chairman Bill Horn, Board of Supervisors. “The Great California ShakeOut drill starts the community thinking about personal preparedness and workplace safety.”
October 8, 2011 (San Diego) -- Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP) of San Diego County, Inc. is a non-profit organization that partners with emergency responders to assist residents in crisis following a personal tragedy, such as the sudden death of a loved one. TIP is currently seeking volunteers to respond to the East County and National City areas to offer support services to residents.
Volunteers are called to the scene by police, fire, and sheriff and are trained to help fellow citizens who are in distress as a result of a traumatic event. Volunteers respond within their community. The first few hours after a traumatic event has occurred are very confusing for everyone involved and the TIP volunteers are trained to provide the necessary emotional first aid and other temporary support until the persons involved in the crisis are able to depend on family, friends, and others.
October 8, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The next monthly antique showin El Cajon will be heldon Wednesday, October 12th! See all the great collectibles, including jewelry, photos, artwork, dolls, textiles, dishes, pottery, and glassware.
This event is held the 2ndWednesday of every month at the Ronald Reagan Community Center located at 195 East Douglas Avenue, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. Parking and admission are free and you can receive one free appraisal. Additional appraisals are $5.00 each. There is also a military collectible expert on hand. For more information, or if you would like to be a vendor, please call(619) 887-8762.
October 8,2011 (San Diego) -- CASA will hold a 5K, and a one mile fun run/walk on Sunday, October 16 at Mission Trails Park. The 5K starts at 8:00 a.m., and the 1 mile at 8:30. Their slogan is: Steps for health...for you and your community!
Race. Jog. Walk. Bring the kids. Bring the dog!
Mission Trails Regional Park is an excellent setting for a morning's worth of fitness, challenge, and fun.
Proceeds benefit Communities Against Substance Abuse (CASA). Participants will be doing their part to help fight drugs and alcohol in schools and communities. They will also be promoting a healthier lifestyle.
October 8, 2011 (El Cajon) -- City of El Cajon employees, through its Special Events Committee, is currently collecting items for very special care packages that will be distributed to military members before the holidays.
UPDATE: THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED DUE TO A LABOR DISPUTE.
San Miguel Fire seeks sponsors and door prize donors for event
October 8, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Bring the family for fun and free activities at the 5th annual Fire Expo at the Rancho San Diego Towne Center on Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features a children’s zone, rescue demonstrations, fire and rescue vehicles, fire safety and health information, law enforcement demonstrations, music, free food and free prize drawings.
October 8, 2011 (Julian) - A SIG alert has been issued and a portion of Highway 79 has been closed due to a fatality accident. The crash, which involves multiple motorcycles, occurred at 2949 Julian Road shortly before noon today.
November 26, 2011 (San Diego’s Eat County) – Last year, “Small Business Saturday” rallied Americans to support small, independently owned businesses in their communities on the day after "Black Friday" over Thanksgiving weekend, the start of the holiday shopping season.
Now Google, Facebook and Twitter are helping to support small businesses as part of Small Business Saturday today, November 26. Consumers can sign up on line for special discounts if they support small businesses by making purchases today.
October 7, 2011 (Ramona)--An East County elementary school student was diagnosed with pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency officials said today. The 9-year-old, who was up-to-date with immunizations, attends Mt. Woodson Elementary School in the Ramona Unified School District.
By Miriam Raftery
By Miriam Raftery
October 9, 2011 (La Mesa) – La Mesa resident Susan Brinchman, director and founder of the Center for Electrosmog Prevention, has announced that she will join the Occupy San Diego effort downtown with rallies to draw attention to health issues involving smart meters. 
October 9, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University (SDSU) has received a joint grant of $1.67 million for its Jobs Accelerator program from the Economic Development Administration (EDA), the Small Business Administration and the Employment Training Administration (ETA). 
By Paul Gonya
October8, 2011 (El Cajon ) – The Home of Guiding Hands 29th
By Brian Lafferty
County Reports 379 Pertussis Cases for Region
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