ATMOSPHERIC RIVER TO DRENCH REGION OVER EASTER WEEKEND

GROSSMONT HIGH SCHOOL BOARD SLASHES STAFFING, OVER OBJECTIONS OF VOCAL CROWD

CONSUMER ALERT FOR SAFELY FILING YOUR TAXES

VIEW OUR INTERVIEW: LA MESA ACTIVISTS OBJECT TO CITY COUNCIL BANNING REMOTE PARTICIPATION

WINTER STORM WARNING

EASTER BRUNCH AND EGG HUNT MARCH 30 IN EL CAJON

BIA SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH WORKFORCECONNECT TO UTILIZE JOBS PLATFORM, WHILE ADDRESSING CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY WORKFORCE SHORTAGE

RECENT FIRE DEATHS HEIGHTEN CALLS FOR FIRE PROTECTION BALLOT MEASURE IN SANTEE

MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK COMMUNITY NIGHT SLATED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 4

COUNTRY MUSIC LEGEND TANYA TUCKER LIVE AT THE MAGNOLIA MAY 19

UNOFFICIAL ELECTION RESULTS SHOW FLIPS IN TWO KEY RACES HOLDING

184 GUNS TURNED IN AT SHERIFF’S LEMON GROVE GUN SAFETY EVENT

VETERANS’ BENEFITS ACT OF 2010 SIGNED BY PRESIDENT OBAMA


New law will expand and update benefits for veterans

October 15, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced yesterday that President Obama signed H.R. 3219 into law. The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, authored by Filner, improves and modernizes certain benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans and their families.

THE GREAT DEBATE: HUNTER TO FACE LUTZ & BENOIT OCT. 15 AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE

September 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host a debate among the three ballot-qualified Congressonal candidates in the 52nd Congressional District. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will square off against challengers Ray Lutz, a Democratic community activist and businessman, and Libertarian Michael Benoit, a small business owner.

 

The event will take place Friday, October 15th at 7 p.m. in the Communication Arts Theater at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

“PASSPORT THROUGH TIME” ROAD TRIP ON OLD HIGHWAYS 80 & 94 IS READY TO ROLL ON OCTOBER 16

October 11, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The public is invited to join in the fifth annual Passport Road Trip on Saturday, October 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 2 pm. The “cruise” will begin at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum in Campo, motor along scenic Historic Highways 94 and 80, then end with special activities at a fundraising event at Gio’s in La Mesa Village from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

 

 

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: "GERRYMANDERING" DRAWS UP AN INFORMATIVE, COMPELLING ARGUMENT AGAINST REDISTRICTING

 

By Brian Lafferty

October 15, 2010 (San Diego)--I didn’t do great in my Introduction to Political Science class but there was one thing that stuck with me: gerrymandering. In the three and a half years since I’ve taken that class I’ve been surprised that the issue has never come up significantly. This documentary of the same name thoroughly and effectively explores this overlooked but very important subject. As Bill Mundell of Californians for Fair Redistricting put it, “Gerrymandering is America’s best kept secret.”

 

MMMMM! SPRING VALLEY TAILGATE PARTY & BBQ FESTIVAL SUNDAY OCT. 17

October 15, 2010 (Spring Valley) – The first annual Spring Valley Tailgate & BBQ Festival will be hosted this Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 pm. In front of Cali Comfort  Restaurant & Sports Bar. Troy Street will be closed down between Bancroft and Central avenues for the event, which includes BBQ samples, family activities, a children’s fun zone, street vendors, and more.

OFF-ROAD EXPO ROLLS OUT AT PARKWAY PLAZA OCT. 23-24; MOTOCROSS CELEBRITIES TO APPEAR

October 14, 2010 (El Cajon ) – Off-road vehicles and celebrity motocross riders will be on hand Saturday and Sunday, October 23-24 at the Off-Road Expo at Westfield Parkway Plaza shopping mall in El Cajon.

 

BOOK REVIEW: THE NEW JIM CROW: MASS INCARCERATION IN THE AGE OF COLORBLINDNESS, IS AN ENLIGHTENING READ

 

The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, By Michelle Alexander (The New Press, New York, N.Y., 2010, 290 pages.)

 

Book Review by Dennis Moore

 

October 8, 2010 (San Diego) -- Michelle Alexander, former director of the Racial Justice Project of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Northern California and a former law clerk for Justice Harry Blackmun on the U.S. Supreme Court, has written a provocative and thought-provoking book about race and incarceration, The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness.

FREEBIE ALERT: NEW! FREE 411 SERVICE FROM MICROSOFT

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 

October 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - Have you ever needed to look up a phone number from your cell phone but do not want to pay the $1.50 - $2.00 cost? There is a free 411 service from Microsoft that you can use and the number is 800-225-5411 or 800-CALL-411. Take a minute right now to program this number into your cell phone directory so you never pay for a 411 call again!

FIREFIGHTERS RESCUE TRAPPED MOTORISTS AFTER CAR PLUNGES OFF FREEWAY

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

October 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – A white car plunged over the side of westbound I-8 shortly after noon today, landing upside in a drainage ditch just west of Second Street.

 

Emergency workers extricated those inside and transported two patients to a local hospital, according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the City of El Cajon.

FOOTHILLS BAR ASSOCIATION TO HOST JUDICIAL CANDIDATES FORUM OCT. 14 IN LA MESA

 

October 14, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The Foothills Bar Association invites the public to a Judicial Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 14th at 12 p.m. at the BJ’s Restaurant in Grossmont Center. Attorney Jim Miller and Deputy District Attorney Richard Monroy both seek the seat currently held by the Hon. Robert C. Coates, who is retiring soon. This is the only scheduled meeting where both candidates will be present.

 

The public is welcome to come meet the candidates and ask them questions. There is no charge, however guests are encouraged to purchase lunch.

GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: PATRIOTS IN THE PINK WITH SWEEP OVER PILOTS

by Christopher Mohr

 

October 14, 2010 (San Diego) - The Patrick Henry High School Patriots' girls volleyball team continued their impressive season with a three game sweep in their Eastern League match Tuesday night (10/12) against the Our Lady of Peace Pilots (Normal Heights). They won by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-20 before a packed crowd at their home gym in San Carlos.

 

PASSAGES: SEARCH & RESCUE CANINES HONORED BY EL CAJON COUNCIL

 

Dogs and their trainers saved lives during 911, hurricanes, and other disasters

East County News Service

 

October 13, 2010 (El Cajon)--At yesterday’s City Council meeting, October 12th, Mayor Mark Lewis and the City Council paid posthumous recognition to two canines, both former members of the El Cajon Fire Department’s Search & Rescue canine team, Billy and Icon.

READER'S EDITORIAL: WATER DISTRICT MANAGER SALARIES

 

By Dan McMillan, Ratepayer and Director Padre Dam Municipal Water District

October 13, 2010 (Santee)--Referencing recent articles and discussions about water district general manager’s salaries, I would like to comment that some water districts are keenly aware of the present economic conditions faced by their ratepayers and are taking steps to correct some of the economic issues. In 2010, the Board of Padre Dam MWD lowered the compensation of their management team by over 6% and the General Manager, Doug Wilson’s compensation by 5.5% to $190,740 per year.

COUNTY LANDS ONE OF NATION'S LARGEST GRANTS TO CREATE JOBS FOR LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS

 

$25 Million to Create Local Jobs in Healthcare Industry

  

October 13, 2010 (San Diego) -- In the midst of federal healthcare reform and high unemployment, San Diego County has been awarded a $25 million grant to help create local jobs within the healthcare industry, officials announced today.

 

BALLAST POINT BREWING CO. DINNER AT VIEJAS OCT. 14

 

October 13, 2010 (Alpine) -- Viejas' top chefs will team up with award-winning Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for a special dinner on Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010 at 6:30 pm in the DreamCatcher Lounge at Viejas. Tickets are $50 each; price includes food, beer and gratuity. A percentage of proceeds will go to the Alpine School District Music & Math Program.

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EAST COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD RACES: LEARN ABOUT YOUR CANDIDATES

 

October 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Union-Tribune has published Q&As with candidates for eight East County school districts: Alpine Union, Cajon Valley, Grossmont Union High School, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lakeside Union, Lemon Grove, Mountain Empire Unified, and Santee school districts. Below are links to the questionnaires and replies from those candidates who responded:

GROWING GREEN: “SUSTAIN LA MESA” FESTIVAL DOUBLES IN SIZE

By Kristin Kjaero

October 11, 2010 (La Mesa) – For each of its three years now, the “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival has doubled in size, in pace with growing public green awareness. This year an estimated 1,500 people attended.

Mayor Art Madrid called it "The third and the very best, which means that all La Mesa residents, especially our youth, are embracing an environmental, sustainable new way of life to protect our health and safety."

OUR PLANET, OUR HOME

Kids Lead the Way to a Sustainable Future

By Kristin Kjaero

October 12, 2010 (La Mesa) -- East County Magazine extends congratulations to the winners of the second annual “Our Planet, Our Home” Grade K-12 Environmental Literacy and Art Contest.

The contest is a cooperative effort of the City of La Mesa Environmental Sustainability Commission, the La Mesa Library, and the La Mesa – Spring Valley School District. More than 225 entries were received.

The winning pieces will be on display at the La Mesa Library for one month, starting at the end of this week.

 

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