August 25, 2010 (City Heights) -- Phong Huynh came to the U.S. as a refugee with his family from Vietnam in 1990 at age 12. One of his fondest memories of the country where he spent most of his childhood is the Mid-Autumn Festival called “Tet Trung Thu” celebrated every year.
August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing concerns over a recent audit report, the El Cajon City Council voted 4-1 to extend funding for the El Cajon Community Development Corporation for six months instead of the full year. While the Mayor expressed confidence that a new director has agreed to correct problems identified in the audit, some Councilmembers warned that the City could exercise the City’s 30-day right to terminate the ECCDC’s contract if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
The Kid: Chamaco, which he produced, opens Friday for a one-week engagement
By Brian Lafferty
August 26, 2010 (El Cajon)--“The quality of writing will get you through the door,” says East County film producer Vernon Mortensen. His newest film, The Kid: Chamaco, opens Friday for a one-week showing at the Reading Gaslamp. “To get to the door, half the time you need to know somebody," he told me over lunch in El Cajon.
August 26, 2010 (Alpine) - Alpine Tree Town invites area residents to a meeting on September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
“This group is dedicated to inspiring residents and business owners to plant, maintain and protect trees,” Carlette Anderson said, adding that Tree Town also provides educational programs for local schools. "If you love trees and would like to meet some like minded people then please mark your calendar.”
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to save water--and reduce your bill?
Residents of San Diego’s unincorporated areas can pick up rain barrel systems for half-price ($30.35 + tax) this Saturday morning. The system is designed to connect to a roof downspout and gutters. Residents who don’t qualify for the subsidy can buy a rain barrel system for $60.69.
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- After 11 days of fasting, Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced Monday that after founding a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates in districts nationwide, he will end his fast. eat. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit has also resumed eating.
“Mommie, I’m hungry,” the little girl cried as she stood shivering in the cold wind, waiting for food. The image has never left me…and now that I am semi-retired I want to be part of an effort making sure no more children starve on San Diego city streets.
August 25, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) today warned that while the budget is stalled in the Legislature, students cannot receive the funds distributed through the Cal Grants program.
August 25, 2010 (El Cajon) --Donald H. Harrison, creator of San Diego Jewish World, an online newspaper, has been selected as the new instructor for the class that produces the Grossmont College student newspaper, The Summit. In addition to a print version of the student newspaper, Harrison says he is planning for a web-based “Griffin News Service” to feature a calendar of on-campus events, stories written by students, as well as audio and video features.
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Local firefighters will be participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual “Fill the Boot” campaign, raising money to help find a cure for the crippling disease. On September 2, watch for local firefighters stationed around the County to coincide with the annual Labor Day telethon hosted by actor Jerry Lewis for muscular dystrophy.
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Not only are spices wonderful for adding flavor and jazzing up a delicious meal, they can also enhance your health and act as herbal remedies. Who knew such powerful natural healers were hiding in your spice cabinet?
Mayor, Council candidates to participate on panel Thursday, September 16
August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has invited all candidates running for mayor and city council to share their views in a free public forum on Thursday, September 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Thus far, both of the mayoral candidates and five of the six Council candidates have accepted the Chamber's invitation. They are:
August 25, 2010 (Tierrasanta) 4:30 p.m. – A San Diego Police SWAT/Emergency Response team has been dispatched to an apartment building at 9000 Gramercy Drive near Ruffin Road. A man wanted for kidnapping and domestic violence has barricaded himself inside. “He has access to multiple weapons and he is believed to be armed at this time,” Lt. Andra Brown told East County Magazine, adding that the weapons are handguns.
Update 2:00 p.m. - "This fire is now out," Cal-Fire Nick Schuyler informed East County Magazine." It was a great stop by multilple agencies working together." The fire was contained at 100 acres; cause is still under investigation. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.
August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The President of the Board of Directors of the Helix Water District opened last Wednesday's rate increase hearing by saying it was imperative that the Board do the right thing. I hoped that meant to hold off on the proposed increase until excess pension costs were reduced. Unfortunately, that was not to be the outcome of the vote.
By Senator Denise Ducheny
Chair, Senate Budget Committee
“Thoughtless slashing would eliminate a whole series of State investments that are necessary to our recovery and to providing a sound base for our future prosperity.”
August 24, 2010 (Sacramento) -- In the wake of the global economic turmoil of the past few years, there are signs California’s economy has hit bottom and is beginning to recover. While our recovery is fragile, and it will take time to make up ground lost to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, California is still the 8th largest economy in the world. California’s future is still bright--if we can sustain ourselves in the short term.
August 24, 2010 (Sacramento)-- Assembly Bill 1844, Chelsea's Law, passed the California State Senate today by unanimous vote. The measure, carried through the Senate by Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta) was authored by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego). The bill aims to strengthen protections for California children from violent sexual predators.
August 23, 2010 (Sacramention)--Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that AB 184 has cleared the Legislature and is now awaiting action by the Governor. The bill prevents the California Department of Education from requiring school districts to repay the state for Special Disabilities Adjustment funding that they received in the last fiscal year and already used to teach special-needs students in their classrooms.
August 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- There is suffering among the people in Gaza. How that suffering compares to the misery of other groups around the world, who is causing this suffering, and what should be done to alleviate it are all subjects of much debate. However, it is the duty of caring and responsible people on all sides to address these issues.
August 24, 2010 (San Diego) -- Recently I spoke to a group of people about a 31-day journey I took a few months ago. It was a land convoy to Gaza of 200 vehicles and 500 people from 17 different countries. We were Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Atheists and Humanists journeying together over 4,000 miles through 13 countries. We traveled from London to Gaza on a journey of hope.
August 23, 2010 (El Cajon) – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon) has announced plans during the Congressional recess to tour over a dozen San Diego area businesses representing a wide variety of industries, in order to hear directly from local job creators about the challenges of today’s economy.
August 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- San Diego Fire Department responded to a canyon fire at 66th and Skyline. The blaze started at mid-day and threatened several homes as the fire expanded in size. Firefighters, with the aid of air attack helicopters, were able to hold the fire to one acre as it burned heavy bush in the center of a populated neighborhood.
August 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –The Monte Fire, which started Saturday at 1 p.m. in the El Monte Park area of Lakeside, is now 75% contained. Full containment is expected by 6 p.m. today, according to the Southern California Interagency incident management team.
El Monte Road at Lake Jennings Road remains closed today, along with El Capitan Reservoir and El Monte Park. Cause remains under investigation.
August 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization, will host a BBB business-to-business (B2B) networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend. Admission cost is $25 per person.
August 23, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a special weather statement warning of extreme heat countywide this week. Tuesday and Wednesday will be the hottest days with temperatures that could soar to a scorching 117 in lower desert areas, with upper deserts and inland valleys 100 to 110 degrees. Mountains below 6000 feet will reach 90 to 100, with 80 to 90 temperatures forecast at higher elevations. Even coastal valleys could hit 100.
August 23, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD, a public agency that supports various health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County, has selected nine recipients for its 2010 Health Tech Careers scholarships. The students, who are currently pursuing medical field jobs in positions often defined as technicians, applied for the scholarships by submitting an essay on “Where I will be in my career five years from now.”
August 22, 2010 (Lakeside) 8:30 p.m. – Asked for an update on the Monte Fire, U.S. Forest Service public information officer Kate Kramer had good news.
“We’re doing really well,” she said, adding that the fire has been held to 1,027 acres. “We’ve been working hard on getting a line about it, and we expect full containment by 6 p.m. tomorrow.”
By Ray M. Wong
August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing concerns over a recent audit report, the El Cajon City Council voted 4-1 to extend funding for the El Cajon Community Development Corporation for six months instead of the full year. While the Mayor expressed confidence that a new director has agreed to correct problems identified in the audit, some Councilmembers warned that the City could exercise the City’s 30-day right to terminate the ECCDC’s contract if their concerns are not adequately addressed.
August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- After 11 days of fasting, Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced Monday that after founding a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates in districts nationwide, he will end his fast. eat. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit has also resumed eating.
August 25, 2010 (El Cajon) --Donald H. Harrison, creator of San Diego Jewish World, an online newspaper, has been selected as the new instructor for the class that produces the Grossmont College student newspaper, The Summit. In addition to a print version of the student newspaper, Harrison says he is planning for a web-based “Griffin News Service” to feature a calendar of on-campus events, stories written by students, as well as audio and video features.
By Dr. Helen Lee, D.C.
August 25, 2010 (Tierrasanta) 4:30 p.m. – A San Diego Police SWAT/Emergency Response team has been dispatched to an apartment building at 9000 Gramercy Drive near Ruffin Road. A man wanted for kidnapping and domestic violence has barricaded himself inside. “He has access to multiple weapons and he is believed to be armed at this time,” Lt. Andra Brown told East County Magazine, adding that the weapons are handguns.
Update 2:00 p.m. - "This fire is now out," Cal-Fire Nick Schuyler informed East County Magazine." It was a great stop by multilple agencies working together." The fire was contained at 100 acres; cause is still under investigation. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.
“Thoughtless slashing would eliminate a whole series of State investments that are necessary to our recovery and to providing a sound base for our future prosperity.” 
August 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- There is suffering among the people in Gaza. How that suffering compares to the misery of other groups around the world, who is causing this suffering, and what should be done to alleviate it are all subjects of much debate. However, it is the duty of caring and responsible people on all sides to address these issues.
by Faith Attaguile
Story and photos by Dennis Richardson
August 23, 2010 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB), San Diego’s largest county-wide business membership organization, will host a BBB business-to-business (B2B) networking mixer from 4 to 6 p.m., on Thursday, Sept. 2, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., in El Cajon. The public is invited to attend. Admission cost is $25 per person.
East County News Service
August 22, 2010 (Lakeside) 8:30 p.m. – Asked for an update on the Monte Fire, U.S. Forest Service public information officer Kate Kramer had good news. 
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