April 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to restore cuts made to education aid for veterans going to college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Restoration Act (H.R. 1451) would reinstate living expense stipends during school breaks.
“Our service members earned and deserve their educational benefits,” said Davis, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “We have a responsibility to keep these benefits worthy of their dedication and sacrifices to the nation.”
April 12, 2011 (Alpine)--Anticipation is building at Viejas Casino, where one lucky poker player is guaranteed to win a record $100,000 in this weekend’s Viejas Poker Classic III tournament. For the third year in a row, the tournament will feature the largest poker payout to a single player in San Diego Casino history.
April 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Marcos Manual Rodriguez Perez, 26, was captured and taken into custody today in Tijuana. The director of Tijuana Municipal Police, in a prepared statement, identified Perez as the killer of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas Jr, who was killed in an ambush near Campo in July 2009.
April 26, 2011 (Escondido)--Frank and Georgi Greiner from Hacienda de los Gitanos ranch in Ramona showed off a prized gypsy horse inside a gypsy camp at Felicita Park in Escondido—all part of a week-long Renaissance Faire that ended Sunday.
The event, produced by Gold Coast Festivals, attracted a large crowd of merrymakers who mixed and mingled with re-enactors from the days of knights and chivalry, as Queen Elizabeth reigned over the festivities.
April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Brew Ha Ha Comedy presents two “rainbow headliner” shows this weekend. On Friday, April 15, funny lady Sarah Burford stars in an “All Women Comedy Show” from 7-8:30 p.m. at 6784 El Cajon Blvd.
Suspects also accused of using stolen credit cards at local businesses
By Miriam Raftery
April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff detectives, following an extensive theft and fraud investigation, have made several arrests related to vehicle burglaries at local hiking trails including the El Capitan Preserve in Lakeside, Blue Sky Open Space Trail in Santee, and trailheads at Mission Trails Regional Park in San Diego.
April 12, 2011 (Ramona) – A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted between 11 p.m. and midnight Friday night while walking in an alley in Ramona, behind businesses located between Main and B Streets, the San Diego Sheriff’s office reports today. The male assailant wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt; no other description is available at this time.
According to Lt. James Bolwerk, the teen is a Ramona resident. “The Sheriff’s Department reminds the public to always travel in pairs, stay in well lit areas, and be aware of their surroundings,” a release from the Sheriff’s office states.
April 12, 2011 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on the “Feeling Fit Club,” featuring a presentation from Vickie Velasco, founder of the Feeling Fit Club, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is not required.
April 11, 2011 (Ramona)--A dusting of snow in many places over Ramona Friday night gave way to a bright sunny Saturday, fine weather for the fourth annual, Rotary-Kiwanas Music Fest in beautiful Dos Picos Park.
It was a perfect setting to enjoy a sampling of San Diego County’s finest musical talent featuring Cactus Twang &Whyte, Aja Alycean, The Gilbert Castellanos New Latin Quintet, Baja Blues Boys, Brandon Burrill, Emily Grace Rajcic, Jason Winters, the Filthy Violets, Sage, Grand Canyon Sundown, Ramona Town Hall Brass Band, Sherm the Band, RHS Royal Blues Jazz Band, as well as Henry and the Seacreatures.
April 10, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Kiwanis hosts its 57th annual Easter Breakfast on April 24 from 7 a.m. to 12 noon at the Alpine Elementary School, 1850 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. You're invited to hop on over to enjoy pancakes, sausage, eggs and more—all while benefitting local charities and events sponsored by Kiwanis.
April 10, 2011 (San Diego)—A 17-year-old girl walking in the 6000 block of University (about 10 blocks west of La Mesa in the El Cerrito area) was attacked tonight by a Hispanic male who wore a dress and brandished a knife. According to San Diego Police, the suspect grabbed the victim’s breasts and tried to pull her into some bushes.
April 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Thanks to ECM reader Tiffany Husted for alerting us to a website called www.Geebo.com. “It is a safer website like Craigslist but so much better!” Husted wrote. “They do not allow child solicitation, human trafficking, drugs, spam or scams. They double check their postings manually and automatically, unlike Craigslist.”
Craigslist has repeatedly been implicated for allowing prostitution and even human trafficking of children to be advertised. ECM research found that Geebo is a nationwide online classified ads site established in 2000. It offers a safer haven to place and browse ads by reviewing all ads before publishing them to be sure content is appropriate. Geebo was first in its industry to remove personal ads and has never supported adult content, drug or gun sales. Geebo has also been recognized by human rights groups for its commitment to improve safety on the Internet.
April 9, 2011 (San Diego)—Inside the Safari Market bazaar, a Somali woman sells bright-colored beaded head scarves, jewelry and rugs. Two dozen vendors offer other wares and services. Nearby, African Spice restaurant serves up savory sambussas (pastry shells filled with meats, vegetables and African spices), succulent fish, lamb, goat, and an aromatic tea seasoned with cloves. Safari Market also sells groceries, such as large bags of cinnamon and rice, some labeled in Arabic.
No, this isn’t a street scene out of Africa. It’s a new business incubator in the East San Diego neighborhood known as “Little Mogadishu” – a hub where refugees from war-torn East African nations such as Somalia, the Sudan, Eritria and Ethiopia are starting new lives in America, aided by the nonprofit organizations Horn of Africa Community and Somali Family Services. The Safari center has created 125 jobs for East African refugees, mostly women. Now it's become a model that is being replicated in other U.S. cities.
April 9, 2011 (Borrego) – A female hiker, 61, was airlifted out of Palm Canyon in the Anza Borrego Desert this afternoon after suffering a possible fractured hip, Deputy Scott Bligh with the San Diego Sheriff Search and Rescue reports.
Copter 12, crewed by San Diego Sheriff’s and Cal-Fire personnel, were dispatched to assist Borrego Fire personnel.
April 9, 2011 (Julian)--The Julian Fourth of July Parade Committee raised over $800 at a fundraiser held at Wynola Pizza on March 28, putting the committee halfway to its goal of raising $6500 from its new corporate sponsorship program. More than 75 people from all walks of life enjoyed themselves at the event while supporting the parade, which Julian has presented for nearly 20 Independence days.
April 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Jack Messina, a parolee described by Sheriff’s officials as a “person of interest” in a 1995 cold-case killing in Texas was airlifted out of an East County canyon Friday.
Messina failed to report to his parole agent, according to a press release issued by the Sheriff. He was found in an intersection at Sweetwater Springs Blvd. and Jamacha Blvd. with a GPS tracking device running low on battery. Deputies found him “very drunk” with his foot in a soft cast on a trail muddy from the recent rain.
Pimping and other exploitative crimes are now second biggest revenue source for gangs in San Diego County
April 8, 2011 (San Diego) – To help law enforcement tackle the growing problem of gang-related criminal sexual exploitation and human trafficking, Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) today was joined by San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis and San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore to support AB 918.
The bill, authored by Block and sponsored by San Diego County, would give law enforcement better tools to combat criminal street gangs that commit the crimes of pimping, pandering or human trafficking--the second biggest income source for local gangs.
Decision based on cost, but a local resident who started a national movement to ban smart meters claims they can harm health in some individuals
April 7, 2011 (La Mesa)—Helix Water District customers won’t be getting smart water meters anytime soon. The Board of Directors opted against the change.
“We don’t want to spend a million and a half dollars,” board vice president John Linden stated. The board also noted that among 322 pilot project customers who do have the smart meters, only 9 percent accessed the smart meter website to check their energy usage.
Guitar Lessons: A Life’s Journey Turning Passion Into Business, By Bob Taylor, (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2011, 230 pages.)
Book Review by Dennis Moore
April 8, 2011 (El Cajon)--Bob Taylor, co-founder and president of Taylor Guitars in El Cajon, California, has added a new title to his repertoire: author. in Guitar Lessons: A Life’s Journey Turning Passion Into Business, Taylor masterfully crafts a story in which the guitar becomes a metaphor for much more—sharing secrets for success in business and in life.
April 8, 2011 (San Diego) – Up until the last ten to fifteen minutes I was ready to give In a Better World, 2011’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar winner, a mixed review. At the time I didn’t feel it was a bad movie but it wasn’t a good one, either.
April 8, 2011 – Today is the deadline for Congress to approve a budget, or have the government shut down. But leaders in both major political parties say they are at an impasse. According to today’s Washington Post, “They can’t even agree on what they are disagreeing over.”
What are the issues, and how might you be impacted?
April 8, 2011 (Flinn Springs) -Guests are invited to stroll through a towering fragrant sweet pea maze--and cut your own sweet pea bouquets during this event, while they last!The event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.—however ECM’s editor arrived too late last year to snip the fragrant blooms, so early arrival is recommended. Viewing time starts at 9 a.m. and cutting time begins at 11 a.m. at a cost of $3 per bouquet.
April 8, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – By a 4-1 vote, the Lemon Grove City Council ordered staff to come up with a plan to shut down its Parks & Recreation Department, outsource programs for children and adults to the YMCA, but find a means to keep other functions of the department.
Those functions include leasing recreation buildings to community groups and operating city events, such as the holiday bonfire and concerts in the park. Staff will present its report to Council on May 3rd.
April 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---A cold storm system from western Canada will impact our area Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.
Rain and mountain snow are expected to begin early Friday morning and continue throughout the day. Cold air aloft with increase thunderstorm potential late in the day.
Popular chef/cookbook author’s new eatery opens today
By Miriam Raftery
April 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Not every new restaurant parks a tractor outside. But for Jeff Rossman, executive chef and owner of Terra American Bistro, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to supporting local farmers.
“East County needs a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and supporting local growers, artisans and families,” says Rossman, who is also the author of the new cookbook, From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms.”
April 7, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)—Bring the family to visit with live native animals, join a guided nature hike, get free art and photography lessons, view a firetruck and more this Sunday, April 10.
Festivities to celebrate the 15th birthday of the San Diego National Wildlife Refugee will take place near the old steel bridge on Highway 94 at Singer Lane in Rancho San Diego from 1-5 p.m.
April 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to restore cuts made to education aid for veterans going to college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Restoration Act (H.R. 1451) would reinstate living expense stipends during school breaks.
April 12, 2011 (Alpine)--Anticipation is building at Viejas Casino, where one lucky poker player is guaranteed to win a record $100,000 in this weekend’s Viejas Poker Classic III tournament. For the third year in a row, the tournament will feature the largest poker payout to a single player in San Diego Casino history. 
Suspects also accused of using stolen credit cards at local businesses
April 12, 2011 (Ramona) – A 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted between 11 p.m. and midnight Friday night while walking in an alley in Ramona, behind businesses located between Main and B Streets, the San Diego Sheriff’s office reports today. The male assailant wore a dark, hooded sweatshirt; no other description is available at this time.
By John Rene Gardner
April 10, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Two separate accidents in Ramona and Valley Center resulted in damage to aircraft and injury to one pilot.
By Miriam Raftery
Pimping and other exploitative crimes are now second biggest revenue source for gangs in San Diego County
Guitar Lessons: A Life’s Journey Turning Passion Into Business, By Bob Taylor, (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey, 2011, 230 pages.)
By Brian Lafferty
April 8, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – By a 4-1 vote, the Lemon Grove City Council ordered staff to come up with a plan to shut down its Parks & Recreation Department, outsource programs for children and adults to the YMCA, but find a means to keep other functions of the department.
April 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---A cold storm system from western Canada will impact our area Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.
By Miriam Raftery
April 7, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)—Bring the family to visit with live native animals, join a guided nature hike, get free art and photography lessons, view a firetruck and more this Sunday, April 10.
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