July 6, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Parks and Recreation has a plentitude of events planned around East County in the month of July. There is something for everyone, from Ranger led hikes, playing earthball and star parties. Below is a list of some of the events happening this month. For a full list please visit http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/parks/index.html.
July 6, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Kiwanis Club of El Cajon Valley presents Bunco at The Salvation Army, 1011 E. Main St., El Cajon on July 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The evening will include a potato bar and raffles. There will be prizes for 1st and 2nd, most wins most Bunco’s and a Boobie prize. Bunco is a social dice game involving all luck and no skill.
July 6, 2013 (Santee)—At Wednesday’s meeting, the Santee City Council will hold a public hearing on a resolution to declare eminent domain in order to obtain easements and fee interests for dozens of properties on nine different streets, as part of the Prospect Avenue street widening project.
Property owners have rejected fair market offers made via a letter, according to the agenda for Wednesday’s meeting.
July 5, 2013 (Lemon Grove)—On July 2, the Lemon Grove City Council decided to table a motion to support a Constitutional Amendment that would overturn the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Citizens v. Federal Elections Commission.
The high court ruled in 2010 that corporations had a right to virtually unlimited campaign contributions. Allowing companies to inject massive amounts of money into the political system has led to some of the most expensive elections in American history.
The effort was led by Councilmember George Gastil (photo). Before speakers from both Common Cause and Money out of Politics addressed the Council, Gastil went into some of the problems with the decision, which could ultimately impact municipalities such as Lemon Grove.
July 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – ECM has received an eyewitness account from a former East County resident, Pamela Lopez-Davies, of the early hours of the Doce Fire, which claimed the lives of 19 firefighters in Yarnell, Arizona, including 18 from the Granite Mountain Fire Department’s hotshot team. The fire began on June 18 and as of today has scorched 8,277 acres. The blaze is 80% contained.
“While driving to Chino Valley, AZ at about 11:30 am on Tuesday June 18, I noticed a small plume of smoke in the vicinity of Granite Mountain,” said Lopez-Davies, who snapped these photos near her home in Prescott, Arizona.
Jumr 27, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --Fireworks , parades,a centennial-themed celebration and an address by an Abraham Lincoln reenactor for the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg are among the Fourth of July celebrations in East County and San Diego’s inland areas this year.
Here’s a rundown on some of the festive Independence Day events, listed in alphabetical order by community.
TUNE IN JULY 4 TO HEAR OUR RADIO SHOWON KNSJ 89.1 FM!
July 3, 2013 -What could be more fitting than to launch independent media for our region on Independence Day? Our East County Magazine radio show starts tomorrow with two special presentations . Tune in and tell us what you want to hear on community radio!
On July 4, we launch our show with a special live broadcast on the new KNSJ 89.1 FM station at a day-long celebration. East County Magazine 's live broadcast July 4 will be:
10 a.m. to 11 a.m., with interviews of community leaders and newsmakers
2 p.m., a special ECM-produced dramatic presentation--featuring "interviews" our nation's founding fathers--and mothers.
Our July 4 show will be at the World Beat Center in Balboa Park, so if you’re in the area stop by to cheer us on!
East County Magazine's regular radio program will launch next week, broadcasting on Mondays through Fridays at 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
July 3, 2013 (San Diego) – As temperatures climb, it’s important to stay cool. Seniors and those without air conditioning are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness. The County has provided a list of “cool zones” where you can beat the heat, including places in East County, such as libraries and senior centers: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/ais/documents/coolzones.pdf. All are free and open to the public during designated hours.
July 3, 2013 (San Diego) – When I first learned of The Lone Ranger’s budget, I asked myself, “What studio in their right mind would spend a quarter of a billion dollars on a movie based on a property that originated as a long-running radio show, and later a low-budget 1950s kids TV show?” In the 1930s and 1940s, Monogram Pictures and Republic Pictures rolled out hundreds of low-budget B-movies, a significant chunk of them westerns. A cursory glance through the Internet Movie Database and a little arithmetic tells me The Lone Ranger cost a ton more than all these companies’ movies put together.
July 3, 2013 (Alpine) – Viejas is planning four full days and nights of activities, all free, to celebration Independence Day this weekend. Activities include fireworks on the 4th, as well as music, outdoor movies, and the new ICONS show in the Viejas Outlets Show Court throughout the weekend. For a schedule of events, scroll down.
July 2, 2013 (Santee) -- Sergio Joseph Dyda, 28, of Santee was killed June 30 in a high-speed collision on State Route 52 near Santo Road. According to the California Highway Patrol, Dyda was driving a 2000 Subaru Outback westbound when the crash occurred. A witness told CHP the vehicle was traveling at over 100 mph at 4:42 a.m. when the Outback passed him, lost control and collided with a guard rail on the right shoulder, careened across all lines and struck the center median, then traveled to the right and collided with the guard rail yet again before coming to a stop.
July 2, 2013 (Lakeside)—Firefighters from Heartland Fire, the U.S. Forestry Service, Cal-Fire and Lakeside Fire Department have attained 50% containment of a brush fire that consumed at least 110 acres Lakeside as of this evening. The fire began along El Monte Road in light, flashy fuels this afternoon and burned portions of El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan).
July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Two new student trustees were recently officially seated on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District Governing Board.
The student trustees, who are elected by their peers as non-voting board members, are Grossmont College student Peg Marcus, 62, and Cuyamaca College student Elsa Michelle Hernandez, 19.
July 1, 2013 (Alpine) – The Back Country Land Trust (BCLT) has owned and managed open-space landscapes in San Diego’s East County for over 20 years. The best example of these conservation lands is Wright’s Field preserve in the community of Alpine. Located in the heart of this small foothill town, Wright’s Field is a 230-acre nature preserve, saved from development in 1990 and preserved as open-space for wildlife, habitat conservation, and recreation such as hiking, biking, and horseback riding.
July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Rancho San Diego resident Ann Durham, Director of the Health Workforce Initiative based at Grossmont College, has been named Deputy Sector Navigator (DSN) for Health for the San Diego/Imperial Region.
The appointment, announced this week by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Division of Workforce & Economic Development, means that Durham will have expanded responsibilities and budget under the "Doing What Matters" program.
July 1, 2013 (San Diego) – If your pets could talk, chances are they “wouldn’t” give you a “lick in,” says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Dogs can develop heat stroke and sunburn in the hot weather, but one danger to dogs that's frequently overlooked is the potential for paw pad injuries and burns from walking a dog on hot pavement or sand. Walk the dog in the early morning or evening to avoid paw pad burns. Avoid walking the dog in the heat of the day, when the sun beats down, heating the pavement and sand. Walk the dog on the grass; it’s cooler for you and them. Are you taking your dog hiking? Would you like to hike barefoot in the heat on rocky terrain? Maybe your dog wouldn’t either! Make sure you have water for your dog while hiking and do so during a cool hour and “watch those paws!”
July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – The day before she was to meet the Grossmont College search committee that would interview her for the job as vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Katrina VanderWoude, vice provost at Rochester College in Michigan, decided to do some interviewing of her own. Visiting the Grossmont College campus incognito, she struck up conversations with students over lunch in Griffin Center, and elsewhere on the campus, to see if she could get a feel for the place at which she later accepted the job.
July 1, 2013 (El Cajon) – Years of dedication and hard work have paid off for apprentices and craft trainees who graduated with their apprenticeship and journeyman certificates on Friday, June 21 from the Associated Builders and Contractors Apprenticeship Training program.
The 67 students in the Class of 2013 from the San Diego region have completed a skilled trades apprenticeship and craft training program in crafts such as plumbing and pipefitting, electrical, electronic systems technician and sheet metal. Their course of study included up to four years of classroom training and thousands of hours of practical field experience.
July 1, 2013 (San Diego) – With warm weather and family events, the Fourth of July can be a fun time with great memories. But before you and your family celebrate, make sure everyone knows about 4th of July safety, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. If not handled properly, fireworks, barbeques and heat can be dangerous and cause injuries to kids and adults. The best advice: “Attend public fireworks displays, and leave the lighting to the professionals,” says Chief DiGiovanna.
July 1, 2013 (Jamul) – Debbie Ekhaml captured these close-up images of a Cooper's Hawk family in Jamul, as the fledgling hawks learn how to successfully hunt a sparrow. Cooper’s Hawks prey on birds and small mammals, even taking on prey larger than themselves such as ducks and chickens. They have sometimes been known to lose their lives for taking on the wrong prey, such as a large owl.
June 30, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--The Cultural Homestay International (CHI) program needs help finding homes for students from China for a two-week exchange program this summer or a longer 10-month program during the academic school year starting this fall. For over 30 years, high school age students from many countries have participated in these high school foreign exchange programs, staying with local host families and attending local schools.
July 1, 2013 (Sacramento) -- Legislation by Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) to modify “Made in America” labeling standards has been killed the Senate Judiciary Committee today. Assembly Bill 890 would permit a product to qualify as “Made in America” if 90% of the components of the merchandise were made in the United States. Current California law requires 100%.
19 elite firefighters dead in raging Arizona wildfire
By Nadin Abbott
June 30,2013 (San Diego)—A wildfire has resulted in a tragedy for Arizona firefighters and the nation, wiping out an entire Hotshot crew. An Ariziona state forestry official confirms that 19 firefighters, including 18 members of the elite Prescott Granite Mountain Hotshots were killed in the line of duty today, fighting a fast-moving brush fire that leveled 250 homes in Yarnell. The unit’s only surviving member is reportedly hospitalized with burns. http://www.wivb.com/dpps/news/nation/18-firefighters-unaccounted-for-bat...
These firefighters are the elite of the elite in firefighting circles, among the best-trained firefighters in the country. Prescott is the first municipal department in the United States to gain the prestigious designation of a Hot Shot crew. It is the city with the oldest fire department in that State as well.
By Miriam Raftery, photos by Sue Brenner and Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Award winners Raftery, Jacob and Kerns with Maness; photo by Sue Brenner Photography
June 30, 2013 (Mount Helix) –At the 5th annual Maness Vineyards’ Food and Wine Mixer earlier this month, Greg Maness presented Trailblazer awards honoring Supervisor Dianne Jacob, East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery, and winemaker/ Ramona Vintners Magazine Editor Teri Kerns for their pioneering efforts benefitting the local wine industry. Maness also made another big announcement. At the event at Manor Vineyard on Mount Helix June 15, benefitting St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center.
“”We have recently broken ground and designed the new [St. Madeleine’s] Mad Hatter Vineyard,” Maness told the crowd, then promptly asked for supporters to adopt rows of grapevines.
June 30, 2013 (Sacramento) – A measure to require that developers consult with Native American tribes before initiating projects that affect tribal sacred sites and cultural resources has unanimously passed the state Assembly by a 56-0 vote. The bill now heads to the State Senate.
The approval of AB 52, authored by Mike Gatto (D-Los Angeles), came despite opposition from the California Chamber of Commerce, which called the measure a “job killer.”
The bill strengthens consultation standards with tribes under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), including impacts to tribal sites among the environmental impacts that must be weighed. But the bill also contains a provision that could allow tribal concerns to be ignored if any one of a list of other benefits is found to outweigh tribal concerns.
June 30, 2013 (Jacumba) – Two men were killed shortly after noon yesterday in a glider crash in Jacumba. The victims have been identified by the county Medical Examiner as Richard Riley Noble, 63, of La Jolla and Martin Gary Rothwell, 54, of San Diego. Noble was the pilot and Rothwell was a passenger, a Jacumba source has advised ECM.
According to the Medical Examiner’s report, the glider plane was towed and the towline released at about 100 feet. For unknown reasons, the glider lost control, rapidly decelerated and struck the ground.
June 29, 2013 (San Diego) – One out of every four fires is started by arson, according to Cal-Fire. When an arsonist sets a fire, everyone pays. Arson fires destroy homes, businesses, communities, forests, wilderness and lives. They cost our community considerably in fire losses, firefighting expenses and higher insurance premiums. They also tie up fire crews and equipment needlessly.
June 29, 2013 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sheriff's Department, Crime Stoppers and the Fugitive Task Force seek public help to locate Ramiro Espinoza, who has a $1,000,000 arrest warrant for attempted murder, domestic violence, felony assault, as well as a felon in possession of a weapon. Espinoza has a tattoo that says "San Diego" on his stomach. He also has a tattoo picture of Jesus with a thorn crown on his back. Espinoza is known to frequent the South Bay area of the county.
If you see him, do not approach him. Espinoza has a history of violence and should be considered armed and dangerous.
June 29, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – At the request of Council members George Gastil and Racquel Vasquez, Lemon Grove’s City Council on July 2 will consider a request from Money Out of Politics (MOP) to adopt a resolution to limit the influence of money in politics. Thirteen state legislatures and many cities, including San Diego and Los Angeles, have already adopted similar resolutions.
The resolution opposes the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission case. The high court found limits on corporate campaign contributions to be illegal, finding that corporations have rights similar to citizens.
The MOP resolution calls on Congress to begin the process of amending the U.S. Constitution t to make clear that corporations are not people and thus are not entitled to the rights and protections of citizens.
June 29, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Following in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision dismissing the Proposition 8 case, the Ninth District Court of Appeal yesterday lifted its stay on same-sex marriages. For the first time in five years, gay couples can now legally wed once again in California.
Attorney General Kamala Harris performed the first such marriage after the ban was lifted, uniting the two plaintiffs in the lawsuit brought against Prop 8, Kristin Perry and her fiancée, Sandy Stier. The wedding took place at San Francisco’s City Hall.
July 6, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Parks and Recreation has a plentitude of events planned around East County in the month of July. There is something for everyone, from Ranger led hikes, playing earthball and star parties. Below is a list of some of the events happening this month. For a full list please visit 
July 6, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Kiwanis Club of El Cajon Valley presents Bunco at The Salvation Army, 1011 E. Main St., El Cajon on July 12, from 6:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. The evening will include a potato bar and raffles. There will be prizes for 1st and 2nd, most wins most Bunco’s and a Boobie prize. Bunco is a social dice game involving all luck and no skill.
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