Barefoot in Baghdad, By Manal M. Omar (Sourcebooks, Naperville, Illinois, 2010, 242 pages.)
Book Review by Dennis Moore
Barefoot in Baghdad is a Muslim American Woman’s Story of Struggle, Sisterhood, and Love in the Chaos of Iraq
July 29, 2010 (San Diego) -- Manal M. Omar, author of Barefoot in Baghdad, an international aid worker from an Arab and Muslim heritage, has provided valuable first-hand insights into events a world away following the 9/11 World Trade Center disaster. One of the book's major characters is now a prominent member of San Diego's Iraqi community.
Leaders propose options to address serious public safety crisis in City and County
By Miriam Raftery
July 28, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego has the fewest firefighters per capita of any major city in the nation, a shocking new report by Center for Policy Initiatives revealed yesterday.
“Service quality has dropped below acceptable standards, most tragically in the fire-rescue department,” a CPI press release warned. “Without increased revenue, the city could face the closure of almost half of our fire stations and the firing of several hundred police officers, as the chief operating officer described to the Council yesterday.”
July 30, 2010 (San Diego)--Intelligently dumb may sound like an oxymoron but it is the best phrase I could use to accurately describe Dinner for Schmucks. It is at times goofy and stupid but there is always a certain astuteness that permeates throughout the material without coming off as pretentious. The “dinner” doesn’t arrive until the second to last reel and it is a little bit of a letdown but that doesn’t mean the lead-up isn’t hilarious at times.
July 28, 2010 (Lakeside) – A brush fire charred several acres near Rocky Lane and San Vicente Avenue this evening, briefly threatening several homes including one that had previously burned and was rebuild following the 2003 Cedar Fire. Flames came with 50 feet of homes before firefighters contained the blaze.
East County Roundup highlights stories of interest to East County residents, published in other media
July 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Roundup stories include:
•Fetal position: County Supervisor Bill Horn uses your money to promote pro-life education
• Schwarzenegger orders furloughs for state workers
• Judge blocks part of Arizona immigration law
• Q&A with Ralf Swenson, new superintendent of Grossmont Union High School District
• Fallbrook: Mountain lion believed shot
• San Diego’s refugee brain drain
• Governor orders National Guard to border
• Powerlink booster may have powered up too soon
• Economy threatens parks
July 30, 2010 (Descanso) -- A Hawaiian vacation is the grand prize at an annual luau hosted by Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church (www.chapelofthehills.org) on Sunday, August 1st from noon to 4:00 p.m. All are invited to the Hawaiian-style pit-barbequed pork dinner. Music and authentic Pacific Island dance entertainment, carnival games and door prizes round out the afternoon.
By Alan Ball, Chair
Sustainability Alliance of Southern California
July 28, 2010 (San Diego) -- I urge a NO vote on PROPOSITION 23.
As Chair of the Sustainability Alliance of Southern California, a community based non-profit committed to a sustainable future, I am convinced that we must not abandon the course that has been agreed to protect our health as well as those who will be following us.
July 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual “Politics in Paradise” event on August 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden. The bipartisan program provides voters in East County with the opportunity to hear from legislators representing them in Washington, in Sacramento, and at the County level.
July 30, 2010 (San Diego)--Charlie St. Cloud is one of those movies that made me wonder if it should have even been made. The two major themes in this picture are death and letting go. These by no means rank the highest on the controversy meter when it comes to sensitive subjects. Charlie St. Cloud doesn’t handle these themes in a competent manner but that’s only one symptom of an even larger problem: the plot, the characters, and their actions are built on such a shaky foundation that the movie is doomed to begin with.
July 29, 2010 (Alpine) -- This summer season is full of behind the scenes activity surrounding our 12th Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) high school. It will be located on the land adjacent to Viejas Creek, south of Viejas Mountain, immediately south of the I-8 freeway, and ½ mile east of the Albertsons store.
July 28, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--A batch of mosquitoes collected in Lemon Grove has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first positive test this year for the potentially-deadly disease, County Vector Control officials announced today.
Tips to keep your clothes--and your home--from going up in smoke
East County News Service
July 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15,500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually, causing an average of 10 deaths, 310 injuries and more than $84.4 million in property damage. A lack of maintenance, buildup of lint, placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors.
July 28, 2010 (San Diego) –Four U.S. soldiers including Army Staff Sergeant Conrad Mora, 24, of San Diego were killed Saturday in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. Mora was leading a group of solders when the attack on their vehicle occurred. He was a graduate of Morse High School, where he played football.
He is survived by his wife, Ann, and their one-year-old son, Christopher. The family had recently moved to Washington state before his deployment. Mora’s parents, Alejandrino and Carmelita Mora, live in National City. He is also survived by his sister, Carmela.
Police seek additional victims of scamster who answered ads and stole victims' IPads
July 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Jesus Sanchez of Santee was arrested yesterday by La Mesa Police for grand theft and robbery after a month long investigation into a Craig’s List scam involving I-Pads. Sanchez turned himself in after police detectives served a search warrant on his house in the 9300 block of Nalini Court, Santee.
July 28, 2010 (East San Diego) -- On July 25, 2010, at approximately 11:31 p.m., a young man was found lying in the eastbound lanes of 6800 Imperial Avenue near 69th Street in the Encanto area. Suffering from stab wounds, he died later that evening. His identity is not known.
The victim is white, 18-20 years-old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 130 lbs., with brown hair and blue eyes. His left upper arm has a tattoo of a religious cross with “est. 1991” above the cross.
July 28, 2010 (Julian) – A fire during the night destroyed a triple-wide mobile home on the property of Whispering Winds Catholic Camp and Conference Center at 17606 Harrison Park Road in Julian. Firefighters from Cal Fire and the Julian Volunteer Fire Department responded to the fully-involved blaze at 2:53 a.m.
July 28, 2010 (Pine Valley) – The 40th annual Pine Valley Days takes place on July 30th and 31st in this normally quiet mountain town in East County to benefit charitable causes supported by the Mountain Empire Mens Club. Two full days of activities include a parade, rides, barbecue dinner, live music and dancing.
Longtime instructor and musician will oversee arts, languages and communication department; aims to build performing arts center for campus
East County News Service
July 27, 2010 (El Cajon) – Steve Baker has been named dean of the department of arts, languages and communication at Grossmont College. Baker began his career with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District as a music instructor in 1985, and has taught at both Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges. At Grossmont, he was music department chair and interim dean before his latest appointment.
Baker has been a professional musician for over 40 years. In his career as a pianist, he has performed with numerous national and international recording artists. The Steve Baker Trio specializes in Brazilian and Afro-Cuban-influenced jazz and performs in varied venues.
July 26, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek the public’s help to locate David Chan Mow, 56, who has been missing since 9 p.m. on July 21st. Mow, who suffers memory loss and may need medical attention, was driving a 2005 GMC Silver Envoy. He used an ATM machine at 2900 30th Street at 11 p.m. on July 21st and has not been seen or heard from since.
July 27, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Your Tomorrow Starts Here,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in returning to school to reenter the workforce, learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade their skills for a job promotion, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 3, in Room 220 on the college campus. Admission and parking are free.
July 25, 2010 (Campo) – A brush fire reported at 3:22 p.m. in the 600 block of Forest Gate Road burned approximately 10 acres in Campo today. “No homes were threatened and there were no evacuations,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler informed East County Magazine.
July 25, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Boots on the ground and helicopters in the air worked together to keep a fast-moving brush fire at nine acres in the Dictionary Hill area. While 25 homes on the north side of Grand Avenue were ordered evacuated, no structures were damaged and no injuries reported. Cause of the fire is under investigation; however San Miguel Fire officials say it is “suspicious” in nature.
July 25, 2010 (Jamacha) – Two San Diego Police officers shot a man in the chest and leg this morning after he reportedly threw a knife at an officer . Neighbors called San Diego Police this morning to report that the man at 6935 Jamacha was breaking windows with a hammer and that children were running around screaming, SDPD reports.
Book Review by Dennis Moore
By Brian Lafferty
July 30, 2010 (Descanso) -- A Hawaiian vacation is the grand prize at an annual luau hosted by Chapel of the Hills Community United Methodist Church (
July 28, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host its second annual “Politics in Paradise” event on August 20 from 6-9 p.m. at the Water Conservation Garden. The bipartisan program provides voters in East County with the opportunity to hear from legislators representing them in Washington, in Sacramento, and at the County level. 
Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!
his summer season is full of behind the scenes activity surrounding our 12th Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) high school. It will be located on the land adjacent to Viejas Creek, south of Viejas Mountain, immediately south of the I-8 freeway, and ½ mile east of the Albertsons store. 
July 28, 2010 (Lemon Grove)--A batch of mosquitoes collected in Lemon Grove has tested positive for West Nile virus, the first positive test this year for the potentially-deadly disease, County Vector Control officials announced today.
July 28, 2010 (East San Diego) -- On July 25, 2010, at approximately 11:31 p.m., a young man was found lying in the eastbound lanes of 6800 Imperial Avenue near 69th Street in the Encanto area. Suffering from stab wounds, he died later that evening. His identity is not known.
East County News Service
By the (North) East County Eater
July 28, 2010 (Pine Valley) – The 40th annual Pine Valley Days takes place on July 30th and 31st in this normally quiet mountain town in East County to benefit charitable causes supported by the 
July 26, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Police seek the public’s help to locate David Chan Mow, 56, who has been missing since 9 p.m. on July 21st. Mow, who suffers memory loss and may need medical attention, was driving a 2005 GMC Silver Envoy. He used an ATM machine at 2900 30th Street at 11 p.m. on July 21st and has not been seen or heard from since.
July 25, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Boots on the ground and helicopters in the air worked together to keep a fast-moving brush fire at nine acres in the Dictionary Hill area. While 25 homes on the north side of Grand Avenue were ordered evacuated, no structures were damaged and no injuries reported. Cause of the fire is under investigation; however San Miguel Fire officials say it is “suspicious” in nature.
July 25, 2010 (Jamacha) – Two San Diego Police officers shot a man in the chest and leg this morning after he reportedly threw a knife at an officer . Neighbors called San Diego Police this morning to report that the man at 6935 Jamacha was breaking windows with a hammer and that children were running around screaming, SDPD reports.
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