"This is one of the best movies of the year." -- Brian Lafferty
July 22, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--Dreams have always been part of cinema. A common film use is the “it was only a dream” stunt applied to generate cheap thrills and groans (Jaws: The Revenge) or to foment laughter (A Serious Man, An American Werewolf in London). Dreams have also acted as visually expressive tools to reveal character or relay exposition (Salvador Dali’s dream sequence in Alfred Hitchcock’s Spellbound). Sometimes, dreams have been used to shock the audience (the movies of Luis Bunuel, particularly Un Chien Andalou, which opens with an eyeball being slashed).
Dreams may be old subjects in motion pictures, but with Inception Christopher Nolan has delivered one of--if not the most--original movie of the year, taking the concept in many new directions I never thought possible.
July 21, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Most East County residents know safety steps to take during an earthquake or wildfire, which are common in our area. But many are misinformed about dangers posed by lightning, a less common peril in our region. When a thunderstorm does strike, however, risks are substantial—and relying on myths can be deadly.
Lightning has caused deaths in California and in San Diego County. In East County, a man in Rancho Cuyamaca State Park was killed by lightning. Another local resident suffered neurological damage. Lightning strikes have caused many fires in East County. A Campo resident lost phone service due to lightning; in Alpine, a writer's computer was destroyed by a bolt.
Test your knowledge on lightning—the answers may shock you!
July 22, 2010 (San Diego) – The recount has ended in the 40th State Senate Democratic primary race with Vargas ahead by a total of 26 votes. He picked up three votes in Riverside County and one in San Diego County, where challenges included a military ballot sent from overseas.
ONLY 40 REMAIN IN THE WILD; MOST ENDANGERED ANIMALS IN NORTH AMERICA
"There were pups. Now it will be a challenge for them to survive."--Patrick Valentino, California Wolf Preserve in Julian
July 21, 2010 (Julian) -- “It’s depressing—very bad news,” Patrick Valentino at the California Wolf Center in Julian said upon learning that two endangered Mexican grey wolves had been found shot in Arizona. Eva Sargent at Defenders of Wildlife in Tucson told East County Magazine that a third Mexican wolf, or lobo, has been found dead in New Mexico under suspicious causes. A fourth wolf is missing.
July 21, 2010 (El Cajon) – A cracked storm drain has undermined the roadway on Fanita Drive, causing a sink hole measuring four feet wide and 20 inches deep. Fanita remains closed in both directions between Valley Lake Drive and Gibbons Street for repairs begun yesterday.
July 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Where can you see a snake charmer and fire dancers, sample foods from around the world, savor music and dancing by top performers, enjoy beer and wine gardens, find face-painting for kids and a mesmerizing magic show—all free? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival on Sunday, August 8.
Part 1: English Tudor's country gardens are fit for royalty
By Miriam Raftery
July 19, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – Ever wonder what lies behind those gated estates on Mt. Helix? Each spring, Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) hosts an art and garden tour open to members only, showcasing amazingly elaborate landscapes (as well as works by local artists).
Some tour gardens are lavish, located on large lots where results are limited only by well-heeled owners’ imaginations. These range from an English country garden at a manor fit for a queen to a private jungle that Indiana Jones would envy. Others are at more modest properties where creative homeowners have made the most of limited space and water conservation practices. This week, we feature the first of five spectacular gardens from this year’s tour.
July 19, 2010 (Lyons Valley) -- A brush fire in the Lyons Valley area of Jamul has been contained at three acres, Cal-Fire reports. No structures were damaged or destroyed, but smoke was widely visible in the Deerhorn Flats area to the east, between Deerhorn Valley and Barrett Lake. (photo: View from Lyons Valley peak webcam at 1:30 p.m.)
July 19, 2010 (San Diego) – A procession of around 100 visitors accompanied by their pets lined up yesterday morning outside the San Diego Mission de Alcala. The faithful and the curious turned out for the Blessing of Animals, a tradition started by St. Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.
The custom was practiced in San Diego by Father Junipero Serra, founder of the Mission, and has continued ever since--accompanied by barks, mariachi music, and an occasional "oink."
A Terrible Mistake, The Murder of Frank Olson and the CIA’s Secret Cold War Experiments, By H.P. Albarelli, Jr. (Trine Day, LLC, Walterville, Oregon, 2009, 826 pages.)
July 18, 2010 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire rescued four dehydrated hikers and a dog, but were unable to save a second dog that collapsed and died on the trail to Cedar Falls near Ramona on Saturday. The group had hiked more than two miles in temperatures over 100 degrees.
The tragedy illustrates the need for hikers to know safety tips for themselves--and their dogs.
July 18, 2010 (Sacramento) – Being a lame duck legislator (leaving office in January due to term limits) hasn’t stopped Senator Dennis Hollingsworth from authoring legislation to create two free days a year for hunting ducks and other wild game without a license.
The San Diego Republican’s Senate Bill 1179 has passed the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee, after already winning approval from the State Senate. It will next be heard by the Assembly Committee on Appropriations.
Fun Continues Tonight at Gio's with more headliner comics
By Miriam Raftery
July 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – Brew-Ha-Ha’s first weekly comedy show upstairs at Gio Bistro and Wine Bar in La Mesa opened to a sold-out crowd last Sunday night. The act proved a rollicking success—artfully blending universally funny jokes with some East County-oriented punch lines. Brew Ha Ha is the remedy for the blues--serving up light-hearted relief from tough times in an intimate yet friendly atmosphere with palate-pleasing food at Gio's.
July 18, 2010 (San Diego) – A 65-year-old man was found lying in the street in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road at midnight, after being run over by a car. The 57-year old driver later returned to the scene and told officers she may have struck something. Investigation confirmed she had hit the pedestrian. Police report that the accident was alcohol-related.
Updated July 18, 2010 July 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- 100 degree heat in Spring Valley today did not slow the attack of San Miguel firefighters on a house fire in the 8600 block of Sandy Bev Lane. A mother and seven of her eight children were home when the blaze was reported. The mother told investigators she was in the kitchen preparing a meal when she heard the smoke alarm sound. She went down a hallway to investigate and found one of the children’s bedrooms on fire.
Seven family members evacuated safely, but once outside realized that a four-year-old child was missing. The girls brothers, 14 and 18, ran back inside and found her hiding in her bedroom closet and rescued her.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Coroner has released the names of victims who died as the result of three accidents on roadways in East County and San Diego’s eastern regions this week, including two motor vehicle crashes and a hit-and-run accident that killed a bicyclist.
"The policy of the GUHSD in thunder/lightning storm conditions would be to immediately seek safe shelter at the first sound of thunder." -- Larry Pear, Grossmont Union High School District
ECM Special Report
Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Dennis Richardson
July 16, 2010 (Lakeside)—While lightning strikes caused multiple fires in East County including Lakeside, El Capitan’s football team continued practicing on an open field during a thunderstorm in direct violation of district rules.
“There was thunder and lightning in the immediate area striking the ground...during the time the kids were practicing,” ECM photographer Dennis Richardson reports. “As I was shooting pictures of the players [from a hill nearby], a man who was watching the lightning storm from the safety of his home near me told me he had just seen a bolt of lightning hit a power pole near Wildcat Canyon and Willow Road.” That’s about half a mile from the football practice, he estimated.
Playing sports during a thunderstorm can be deadly. In 2008, all eleven players on a football team in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were killed when lightning struck the field.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Thirsty for ideas to use less water yet still have attractive landscaping?
Water-Wise Plants for the Southwest (Cool Springs Press, 2010) offers a wealth of practical solutions ideal for homeowners in San Diego County, where drought, cutbacks in water supplies and rising water rates have become a way of life. Editor Diana Maranhao sought advice from four experts: Nan Sterman, Mary Irish, Judith Phillips, and Joe Lamp’l. All are garden writers; the first three have expertise in specific geographic areas (California, Arizona, New Mexico) while Lamp’l provides green gardening tips.
July 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Looking for some summertime family fun? San Diego County has announced “Movies in the Park” at parks and pools countywide. Grab your beach chairs, beat the heat, and head out to a park near you—including numerous locations in East County.
SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is on the scene of two small fires, both caused by lightning. The Henderson Fire, on Indian Head Peak in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is two to three acres. Firefighters and a helitack crew have cut a containment line around the blaze. A second blaze, the Cougar Fire, is burning on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation and is less than an acre in an area with heavy fuel.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A special weather statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for San Diego’s inland valleys, mountain and desert regions due to extremely high temperatures that today reached 112 in Borrego, 102 in La Mesa, and 101 in Ramona. More hot weather is forecast this weekend, with a chance of thunderstorms.
Scroll down for tips from the NWS to avoid heat related health problems, as well as a link for "cool zones" in San Diego County:
July 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Today, Sacramento County Superior Court Patrick Marlette denied a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to force State Controller John Chiang to reduce state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage. The ruling could affect 200,000 California state employees.
July 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of robbing a cab driver at knifepoint in La Mesa has been arrested, La Mesa Police report. The cab driver became suspicious after the suspect directed him to pull over several times in areas that were dark and remote. Instead, the driver stopped his cab in the 7900 block of La Mesa Boulevard at 1:30 a.m. and asked for his fare.
July 15, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - Rainfall aided firefighters in battling numerous fires in backcountry areas late today. Most were started by lightning strikes from thunderstorms. The largest blaze in San Felipe along the Banner Grade near Julian had reached over 100 acres by early evening and is burning toward the desert.
Smaller fires were swiftly controlled in other communities including Warner Springs, Campo, and Lakeside. Fast action by Lakeside resident Charley Barranco helped extinguish a brush fire in a on the Levy water pump station at Lake Jennnings Park.
July 16, 2010 (Pine Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today announced a search for a Rancho San Diego man who was last seen on June 30th. Steve Smith, 47, was reported missing on July 12; his vehicle was towed by California Highway Patrol on July 8 at 2:30 a.m. from the Pine Valley bridge. Smith may be suicidal and in possession of a firearm, according to an investigation by detectives with the Lemon Grove Sheriff substation.
July 1, 2010 (San Diego)—San Diego Police report that homicide detectives are investigating after a dead body was found inside a burned car in the 14200 block of Highland Valley Road, San Pasqual at 1:10 a.m.
Consumer and retail industry leaders praise bill’s passage; San Diego’s Congressional delegation’s votes split down party lines
By Miriam Raftery
July 15, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – Moments ago, the U.S. Senate passed HR 4175, a landmark reform measure that “cracks down on corporate fraud and holds big banks accountable for reckless, risky behavior,” said Senator Patrick Leavy (D-Vermont), author of the bill which is expected to be signed into law by President Barack Obama later today.
Business Wire reports that National Retail Federation senior vice president Mallory Duncan praised passage of the bill, titled the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. “This is a landmark step forward in protecting Main Street against the excesses of the banking industry,” he said.
By Brian Lafferty
“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”
July 22, 2010 (San Diego) – The recount has ended in the 40th State Senate Democratic primary race with Vargas ahead by a total of 26 votes. He picked up three votes in Riverside County and one in San Diego County, where challenges included a military ballot sent from overseas.
"There were pups. Now it will be a challenge for them to survive."--Patrick Valentino, California Wolf Preserve in Julian
July 21, 2010 (El Cajon) – A cracked storm drain has undermined the roadway on Fanita Drive, causing a sink hole measuring four feet wide and 20 inches deep. Fanita remains closed in both directions between Valley Lake Drive and Gibbons Street for repairs begun yesterday.
July 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Where can you see a snake charmer and fire dancers, sample foods from around the world, savor music and dancing by top performers, enjoy beer and wine gardens, find face-painting for kids and a mesmerizing magic show—all free? Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce invites you to the first-ever Summer Music & Culture Festival on Sunday, August 8.
By Miriam Raftery
July 19, 2010 (Lyons Valley) -- A brush fire in the Lyons Valley area of Jamul has been contained at three acres, Cal-Fire reports. No structures were damaged or destroyed, but smoke was widely visible in the Deerhorn Flats area to the east, between Deerhorn Valley and Barrett Lake. (photo: View from Lyons Valley peak webcam at 1:30 p.m.)
July 19, 2010 (San Diego) – A procession of around 100 visitors accompanied by their pets lined up yesterday morning outside the San Diego Mission de Alcala. The faithful and the curious turned out for the Blessing of Animals, a tradition started by St. Francis of Assisi in the 1200s.
A Terrible Mistake, The Murder of Frank Olson and the CIA’s Secret Cold War Experiments, By H.P. Albarelli, Jr. (Trine Day, LLC, Walterville, Oregon, 2009, 826 pages.)
July 18, 2010 (Ramona) – Cal-Fire rescued four dehydrated hikers and a dog, but were unable to save a second dog that collapsed and died on the trail to Cedar Falls near Ramona on Saturday. The group had hiked more than two miles in temperatures over 100 degrees.
July 18, 2010 (Sacramento) – Being a lame duck legislator (leaving office in January due to term limits) hasn’t stopped Senator Dennis Hollingsworth from authoring legislation to create two free days a year for hunting ducks and other wild game without a license.
By Miriam Raftery
July 18, 2010 (San Diego) – A 65-year-old man was found lying in the street in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road at midnight, after being run over by a car. The 57-year old driver later returned to the scene and told officers she may have struck something. Investigation confirmed she had hit the pedestrian. Police report that the accident was alcohol-related.
July 17, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- 100 degree heat in Spring Valley today did not slow the attack of San Miguel firefighters on a house fire in the 8600 block of Sandy Bev Lane. A mother and seven of her eight children were home when the blaze was reported. The mother told investigators she was in the kitchen preparing a meal when she heard the smoke alarm sound. She went down a hallway to investigate and found one of the children’s bedrooms on fire.
strict
Review by Miriam Raftery
July 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Looking for some summertime family fun? San Diego County has announced “Movies in the Park” at parks and pools countywide. Grab your beach chairs, beat the heat, and head out to a park near you—including numerous locations in East County.
SAN DIEGO, CA July 23, 2010 Meet author Gary Winters, of The Deer Dancer, Friday evening as he gives a presentation and signing for his powerful novel, The Deer Dancer, at Borders Books and Music in El Cajon. The author will speak briefly about the process of writing this novel, read from his book, and take questions. This is part of an ongoing commitment between the El Cajon Borders and local publisher, Sunbelt Books, to provide East County with local author readings to encourage literacy and a sense of community.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – A special weather statement has been issued by the National Weather Service for San Diego’s inland valleys, mountain and desert regions due to extremely high temperatures that today reached 112 in Borrego, 102 in La Mesa, and 101 in Ramona. More hot weather is forecast this weekend, with a chance of thunderstorms.
July 16, 2010 (San Diego) – Today, Sacramento County Superior Court Patrick Marlette denied a request by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to force State Controller John Chiang to reduce state workers’ pay to the federal minimum wage. The ruling could affect 200,000 California state employees. 
July 16, 2010 (La Mesa) – A suspect accused of robbing a cab driver at knifepoint in La Mesa has been arrested, La Mesa Police report. The cab driver became suspicious after the suspect directed him to pull over several times in areas that were dark and remote. Instead, the driver stopped his cab in the 7900 block of La Mesa Boulevard at 1:30 a.m. and asked for his fare. 
July 16, 2010 (Pine Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s office today announced a search for a Rancho San Diego man who was last seen on June 30th. Steve Smith, 47, was reported missing on July 12; his vehicle was towed by California Highway Patrol on July 8 at 2:30 a.m. from the Pine Valley bridge. Smith may be suicidal and in possession of a firearm, according to an investigation by detectives with the Lemon Grove Sheriff substation.
July 1, 2010 (San Diego)—San Diego Police report that homicide detectives are investigating after a dead body was found inside a burned car in the 14200 block of Highland Valley Road, San Pasqual at 1:10 a.m..jpg)
By Miriam Raftery
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