July 20, 2011 (San Diego)-- Council Member Marti Emerald is partnering with Rural/Metro Ambulance, the city of San Diego’s ambulance provider, to launch Neighborhood Beat, a city-wide community CPR training program.
July 20, 2011 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Center also provides health information and community resources.
July 20, 2011 (El Cajon)-- Mother Earth Alternative Health Cooperative, Inc., is attracting a steady stream of customers three weeks after opening its doors in an unincorporated area of El Cajon near Gillespie Field.
Some might say it’s high time. California voters approved medical marijuana with a ballot initiative back in 1996, but San Diego Supervisors filed suit to block implementation.
July 20, 2011 (San Diego)--San Diego State's Allison Reaser will compete in the heptathlon at the 2011 Pan American Junior Athletics Championships this weekend (July 23-24) at the Ansin Sports Complex in Miramar, Fla. The freshman earned the right to represent the United States after winning the event at the 2011 USA Junior Outdoor Track and Field Championships last month in Eugene, Ore.
"Seeing is believing!" Lynne McTurk, Funbelievable
By Miriam Raftery
July 20, 2011 (Lakeside) – Now there’s a place where you can let kids climb the walls—plus run, jump, and bounce to their heart’s delight. It's a great place to beat the summer heat and let the kids run wild.
July 18, 2011 (San Diego)--As an East County resident and local news writer, attendance at the 7th Annual Diamond Literary Festival Authors Dinner Cruise at the Bahia Resort Hotel aboard the “William D. Evans” boat was all but mandatory for me.
East County Magazine’s own writer and book reviewer, Dennis Moore, was the honorary guest speaker and to miss such an occasion would have been a travesty both in nature and professional human interest.
July 20, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your beach chairs or blankets and head on out to Santee Lakes for free movies at the lakes on July 22, August 5 and August 19. (Parking is $8). Bring a picnic--or enjoy enjoy burgers, hot dogs, refreshments and more served up by the West Hills High School Band and Color Guard as a school fundraiser. Movies are family-oriented and begin at dark.
The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Recreate Yourself,” a free orientation meeting for adults interested in returning to school to learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade workplace skills for a job promotion, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
July 19, 2011 (Lakeside)--Calling all motorcycle enthusiasts! The Wheels of Thunder Poker Ride will take place this Saturday, July 23rd. Hear the wheels of thunder as you cruise the back roads of San Diego and ride the 80-mile route to benefit a charitable cause.
All proceeds benefit restoration of the San Diego River to create trails, restore habitat, and improve water quality.
July 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- The East County Youth Symphony will present a concert of Wolfgang Mozart symphonies No. 40 and 41 at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m.
The program will be held at the Smith Recital Hall (SDSU campus) 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego. Funds raised at this performance will be used to purchase music instruments for the Orchestra.
July 19, 2011 (El Cajon) – Country music superstar Tanya Tucker will perform two shows on Saturday, July 23 at 6 and 8:30 p.m. at Sycuan Casino’s Showcase Theater.
Voted the Country Music Association’s female vocalist of the year in 1991, she had eight consecutive singles reach the Top 10 charts including “Down to My Last Teardrop,” “(Without You) What Do I Do With Me” and “Two Sparrows in a Hurricane.”
July 19, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Helix Water District will hold an informational public meeting on the proposed water rate increase on July 21 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.
July 18, 2011 (La Mesa) – On the fourth Thursday of each month, the Space Bar Internet Café at 7454 University in La Mesa presents open mike night from 7:30 to 10 p.m with Jihmye Collins. On July 28, host Jim Moreno will welcome Jerrica Escoto and Succinct from the San Diego Slam Team. (see details below). The public is also invited to “come express yourself in public” through spoken word, poetry, song, comedy, and dance.
July 18, 2011 (San Diego) -- Today, the San Diego Police Department led a multi-agency task force in a coordinated take-down of 43 high value targets with ties to Mexican drug cartels, authorities announced today.
July 19, 2011 (San Diego) – A car fire spread into brush alongside State Route 52 near mast Boulevard this afternoon on the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park.
July 15, 2011, (Santee) -- Participate in a refreshing morning sprint, or a leisurely jog close to nature around the beautiful Santee Lakes at the annual "Lap the Lakes" 5K fun run on September 25th.
July 18, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Redevelopment Association and the League of California Cities today filed suit in California's Supreme Court. They seek to block implementation of state budget measures that would force redevelopment agencies to either dissolve or fork over hefty sums to the state coffers.
San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders held a press conference to support the law suit today, joined by La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, National City Mayor Ron Morrison, and other local leaders.
July 18, 2011 (Jacumba) – The Buffalo Fire, which charred over 25 acres near Jacumba earlier this week, was caused by illegal burning.
“A resident who is Native American had a sweat lodge or ceremonial area,” Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler said. “They were burning some leaves or other material in preparation and that spread to a chicken coup, then to an outbuilding.”
July 18, 2011 (El Cajon) – A fire that began around 1:35 on a hill above the 2600 block of Windmill View Road in Fletcher Hills briefly threatened several homes this afternoon.
Heartland Fire & Rescue credits quick action by about 30 firefighters, along with "the fact this hillside was recently cleared of heavy brush by hired workers and goats, creating a defensible space" with limiting the fire to only half an acre. No structures were burned and there were no injuries.
July 18, 2011(Washington) -- Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has introduced legislation, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act (H.R. 2084), that would end restrictions many states impose on a person’s ability to vote by absentee ballot.
Currently, 21 states restrict an eligible voter’s ability to vote by mail, also known as absentee. The other states offer no-excuse absentee voting. Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) re-introduced her bill to end such restrictions and allow all eligible voters nationwide to vote by mail for any reason in federal elections.
July 18, 2011 (Washington, D.C.) -- The National Restaurant Association has unveiled a new nationwide initiative that provides parents and children with a growing selection of healthful menu options when dining out. "Kids Live Well," a program the Association launched today in collaboration with Healthy Dining, highlights how restaurants can create innovative solutions to provide better-for-you menu options.
July 18, 2011 (Rancho Penasquitos) – Donna Williams, a 32-year-veteran of the San Diego Police Department assigned to the child abuse unit, has been found stabbed to death along with her daughter, Breanna "Bree" Williams, at their home in Rancho Penasquitos. Donna Williams has worked on many high-profile cases involving children, including the Danielle Van Damm case.
Brian Williams, 24, has been arrested for the crimes. He is the son of Donna and her late husband, Howard Williams, who was a retired sergeant with the Department.
July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units.
Why are three swimming pools approved for construction, but not the new school approved by voters? Citizens Oversight Committee should demand accountability
By Bill Weaver
July 17, 2011 (Alpine)--The majority of Grossmont Union High School District‘s education facilities and campuses were in horrendous shape prior to the Prop H improvement bond. Decades of needed maintenance had been neglected. Now we have funds from Prop U as well. We should all be very proud of our support leading to our successfully passed 2004 Prop H and 2008 Prop U Bonds.
That said, some members of the GUHSD Governing Board now boast of fiscally conservative policies, and how they are now protecting the districts’ financial future and its fiscal health. I am a fiscal conservative also, and I take issue.
July 17, 2011 (Blossom Valley)-- This week we have several different kinds of animals here at Dream Dogs, all in need of forever homes. First there are several dachshund-mix puppies. We also have other dogs, kittens, a rabbit and a duck.
Scroll down for photos and details of these wonderful pets rescued from a local shelter.
July 16, 2011 (Jacumba) -- Wayne Brammer captured these two images of a Cal-Fire crew and a San Diego Sheriff's helicopter in action battling a brush fire near Jacumba this week.
"With all the power lines running all over this area, my hat goes off to all of these guys. The smoke and power lines made it tough," he wrote, adding that he was amazed to see a house still standing after this blaze near Old Highway 80.
July 20, 2011 (San Diego)-- Council Member Marti Emerald is partnering with Rural/Metro Ambulance, the city of San Diego’s ambulance provider, to launch Neighborhood Beat, a city-wide community CPR training program. 
July 20, 2011 (La Mesa)--Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s Senior Resource Center offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Center also provides health information and community resources.
eving!" Lynne McTurk, Funbelievable
July 20, 2011 (Santee) -- Grab your beach chairs or blankets and head on out to Santee Lakes for free movies at the lakes on July 22, August 5 and August 19. (Parking is $8). Bring a picnic--or enjoy enjoy burgers, hot dogs, refreshments and more served up by the West Hills High School Band and Color Guard as a school fundraiser. Movies are family-oriented and begin at dark.
July 19, 2011 (Lakeside)--Calling all motorcycle enthusiasts! The Wheels of Thunder Poker Ride will take place this Saturday, July 23rd. Hear the wheels of thunder as you cruise the back roads of San Diego and ride the 80-mile route to benefit a charitable cause.
July 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- The East County Youth Symphony will present a concert of Wolfgang Mozart symphonies No. 40 and 41 at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Saturday, July 23 at 7 p.m. 
July 18, 2011 (Jacumba) – The Buffalo Fire, which charred over 25 acres near Jacumba earlier this week, was caused by illegal burning. 
July 18, 2011 (Rancho Penasquitos) – Donna Williams, a 32-year-veteran of the San Diego Police Department assigned to the child abuse unit, has been found stabbed to death along with her daughter, Breanna "Bree" Williams, at their home in Rancho Penasquitos. Donna Williams has worked on many high-profile cases involving children, including the Danielle Van Damm case.
July 17, 2011 (La Mesa) – A fire has displaced seven residents at a triplex located at 5055 Thorne Drive in La Mesa. Heartland Fire & Rescue in La Mesa responded to a call at 3 p.m. and found smoke pouring from one of the units. 
By Bill Weaver
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