June 20, 2013 (La Mesa)—The City of La Mesa announces a free summer lunch program offering every child under 18 the opportunity or a free lunch each week day all summer. This program is offered to La Mesa in partnership with the USDA, California Department of Education, La Mesa Spring Valley School District, Heaven's Window and a number of churches in La Mesa to staff the two locations.
Saint Andrew’s Episcopal serves lunch from 11:15 to 12:15 at 4816 Glen Street. Vista La Mesa Christian Church offers lunches from 11:30 to 12:30 at 4210 Massachusetts Street. Enrichment activities are offered after lunch on Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursdays.
June 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – I had to chuckle when I checked my email late last night.
That morning I had posted a press release called, “A Year Later, SDG&E’s Sunrise Powerlink Delivering on What it was designed to do.” It was up for hours before it dawned on me that anyone reading the title, but not opening the article, would assume it comes from San Diego Loves Green. So I changed the title to “SDG&E says Sunrise Powerlink is delivering on what it was designed to Do.” The most important part of the article was a paragraph in which SDG&E described the projects already feeding the grid:
June 20, 2013 (Santee) -- Assemblyman Jones (R-Santee) and East County Magazine announced today that they will host a photography contest that features photographs taken in San Diego’s East County. The winning photographs will be displayed in Assemblyman Brian Jones’ Capitol Office and featured in East County Magazine.
“It’s an honor to be able to highlight the photographers and the beautiful landscapes Eastern San Diego County has to offer,” Jones said.
Miriam Raftery, Editor of East County Magazine said, “East County Magazine appreciates this opportunity to showcase the works of talented local photographers. East County Magazine looks forward to publishing works displaying our region’s beautiful scenery and our historic communities.”
All entries must be received by July 15, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. to be eligible. For details, scroll down.
June 20, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news each week that could impact your health and our future.
June 20, 2013 (San Diego's East County) --ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
June 20, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
Update June 20, 2013 4 p.m. -- The Sacramento Bee reports that due to mounting public pressure, the Governor will abandon efforts to weaken the Public Records Act. The Bee also reports that Democrats plan to push for a state Constitutional amendment to assure public access to government documents and require local agencies to pay the costs, thwarting efforts by local governments that have sought reimbursement from the state for costs of complying with the decades-old law.
“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”
By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine
June 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A budget now on the Governor’s desk would gut the California Public Records Act, eliminating your right to access public records. Donna Frye, president of Californians Aware (CalAware), warns, “This is where we are today, facing a Public Records Act wipe-out unless Governor Brown vetoes that portion of the budget trailer bills and restores all the provisions currently in place.”
CalAware, a watchdog group dedicated to protecting open government, urges citizens to call the Governor today at (916)445-2841 and ask the following:
June 20, 2013 (Campo) – By a 34-44 margin, the Campo tribe’s General Council has voted against the Shu’luuk Wind project, a proposal to lease reservation land to Invenergy, according to Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Community Planning Group. Tisdale indicated she has multiple sources on the vote outcome.
ECM has contacted the Campo Band of Mission Indians to request comment on the outcome.
The project may not be dead, however, as proponents hope to have another vote in the future.
“You can’t have ‘green’ without social justice.” – filmmaker Robert Lundahl
June 20, 2013 (San Diego)--EMMY® Award winning filmmaker Robert Lundahl takes a hard look at U.S. energy policy and its effects on desert ecosystems, Native American tribes and communities across the West. The film has special relevance locally, where major energy projects in San Diego and Imperial Counties have sparked legal actions as tribal members seek to protect their heritage and sacred sites from destruction.
The filmmaker and Native American elders from California, Nevada & Arizona will be present at the premier of “Who Are My People?” The San Diego premier is a special presentation by Activist San Diego on Saturday evening, June 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at. Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street, San Diego, 92103.
June 19, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Due to health issues, a friend of our editor is in immediate need of new place to live. She is chemically sensitive and having trouble finding a rental that is affordable (ideally, $1,000 to 1,300 a month) in East County.
May 27, 2013 (Valley Center) – Lisa Hampton of Mindful Fitness will be leading a retreat on June 23 at Keys Creek Lavender Farm, 12460 Keys Creek Road, Valley Center from 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A day of mindfulness will be followed with a jazz concert at 7:00 p.m. by Gregory Page as the sun sets and the full moon rises.
Who should pay for San Onofre fiasco? The answer is obvious. Shareholders collect dividends while ratepayers pay tens of millions of dollars a year for a defunct nuclear plant. It's time for the PUC to step up.
There may be lots of questions yet to be answered about Southern California Edison's permanent shutdown of its San Onofre nuclear plant, but here are a couple about which there's no doubt. Who's responsible? Edison, 100%. Accept no argument that it did the best it could in overseeing a $700-million generator replacement project, but accidents happen. This wasn't an accident: It was the product of what Edison claims was its rigorous oversight of contractors.
June 18, 2013 (El Cajon) – On Saturday, June 22nd from 9am-11am, the East County Family YMCA will host the grand opening of a new 4,000 square-foot, YMCA Gymnastics Center, where guests can sign-up for a special introductory 4-week session, tour the new facility, and meet the staff!
The new Gymnastics Center, located at 2471 Jamacha Rd. Ste. 102-104, El Cajon 92019 features a full array of gymnastics equipment and sufficient space and amenities to accommodate preschool and school age gymnastics training and practice. This off-site gymnastics facility replaces and expands the previous program, which was housed at the McGrath Family YMCA on Campo Road due to the strong demand for gymnastics and fitness classes. The gymnastics program held offsite will not only allow for more days and times for gymnastics classes, but will also provide more space for additional group exercise classes at the McGrath Family YMCA.
June 18, 2013 (San Diego) – Marine Corps Capt. Sarah Bettencourt, 29, was just days away from being designated a naval aviator when she developed a rare neurological disorder in 2008. Despite her disability, she bravely continued to serve in the Marines until symptoms ended her career in 2012. Sarah, who retired with a 100 percent disability rating, now struggles at home with day-to-day tasks due to severe problems with her central nervous system.
And of course she is not alone. More than 2.2 million American veterans like Sarah were seriously injured at some point while serving in the military, according to a Pew Research Center survey. Among the center's troubling findings: Veterans who suffered major service-related injuries are less likely in later life to be in overall good health or to hold full-time jobs.
June 18, 2013 (San Diego)--Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) pushed for language to be included in education legislation to end discrimination against LGBT students. As Republicans prepare a bill for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee are preparing their version.
In a letter to the Ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Davis urged that the Student Non-Discrimination Act be added to the Democratic alternative bill. The SNDA would put in place legal protections against discrimination of LGBT students. Davis is a cosponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1652), which was introduced by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO).
June 15, 2013 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Days’ Fair and Parade “Back to the Old West”, presented by the Descanso Town Hall Association, takes place July 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Hotshots parking lot at 24321 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso, will follow Viejas Grade to the Descanso School.
The Fair will be held at the Town Hall, 24536 Viejas Grade Road and features live music from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m., including a steel kettle drum band, Just Friends Bluegrass, Breaking Bad and Barbwire Country Western. Native American dancer, Eric Runningpath will perform and the Luke Barbour Scholarship Awards will be presented.
June 14, 2013 (Campo)-- After passing winding roads and cow pastures in the most southern part of our County's backcountry, you will find Campo Creek Vineyards. Their winery won three bronze medals at last year’s San Diego County Fair in the amateur category. Now the winery is bonded – and the Clark family hopes to next reap rewards in the professional category.
“This is a good climate up here for certain types of grapes – cabernet, merlot, and syrah …It takes a lot of work to do the nurturing,” said Mary Clark. Her family started planting vines here in 2003 and their winery now has more than 8,000 vines.
June 16, 2013 (Palomar) –Palomar Mountain Volunteer Fire Department has hired an attorney in an effort to stave off strong-arm efforts by the County, which seeks to force the tiny department to join the County Fire Authority or lose funds. Joining would mean handing over control to Cal-Fire, which runs rural stations under the CFA.
“Our closest mutual aid is 45 minutes down the hill,” Chief George Lucia said at a packed public meeting in late May, the U-T San Diego reported. “They’re telling me I can’t hire local community volunteers. I say to them that without my local community volunteers that live here, sleep here and have a stakeholder’s interest in the community, I can’t guarantee that I can cover a call.”
June 16, 2013 (La Mesa) – The public is invited to sample award-winning wines, savor food and live music at the grand opening of the San Pasqual Winery at 8140 Center Street in La Mesa. The festivities will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23 from 12-5 p.m. Cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door.
The decision to move its wine-making business from Pacific Beach to La Mesa was motivated by a need for more space and a desire to be close to San Pasqual Winery’s existing tasting room in downtown La Mesa. The new facility will be triple the size of their existing winery, supplementing the existing tasting room with a second La Mesa location.
June 17, 2013 (San Diego) — According to the Manpower Employment Outlet Survey, employers in San Diego County expect to hire at a solid pace during the third quarter of 2013.
From July to September, 19% of companies interviewed plan to hire more employees, while 69% expect to maintain their current workforce levels. On the other end of the job spectrum, 8% of area companies expect to reduce staff and 4% are simply not certain of their hiring plans. All of this action yields a net employment outlook of 11%.
June 17, 2013 (San Diego) – It’s summer time, and time for a vacation! Many of us may be ready for or planning a vacation for the summer months. Here are some safety tips to help make your vacation safe and enjoyable says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Vacation safety actually begins while you are still at home and begins with planning for safety!
June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Any pet owner who has lost their pet - be it Schnauzer, iguana, Siamese cat, or parrot - knows how disconcerting and even agonizing it can be to find your pet has disappeared. Wouldn’t you want someone professional to help you locate your pet who considers your lost pet “a missing family member?" Pet Search and Rescue detectives Annalisa Berns and K9 Handler Judy Britton help pet owners locate their lost pets intact; or in some cases, to get closure if the pet has not survived. These Pet Detectives use search dogs and a combination of techniques. Pet Search and Rescue has an impressive 80% success rate.
June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 23rd at the Cuyamaca Water Conservation Garden, 5:30pm – 8:30pm.
Phil’s BBQ and locally crafted beer and wine will be served, followed by Supervisor Dianne Jacob speaking on community interests. Complimentary docent Garden Tours will also be available at 4:30pm. Reservations are required. The dinner is $10 per GMIA member and non-members may attend for $20 per person.
(Image left: taken from Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s website)
By Roy L. Hales
June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – There has been a great deal of talk about little places like Campo, Boulevard and Ocotillo ever since construction began on the Sunrise Powerlink. There have been multiple lawsuits as environmentalists, Native Americans and other East County residents have fought to protect their habitat, ancestral lands and homes from the encroaching pace of “development.” As much of this area lies within the East County District represented by County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, I sought her perspective about what is going on.
June 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – I disagree with one of the statements County Supervisor Dave Roberts made in his recent editorial. I do not think the County Board of Supervisors is as powerless, in regard to the final decision about wind farms going onto the Federal and tribal lands in East County, as he seems to think. I suspect that, if they were willing, the Board could bring a lot of assistance to the East County residents fighting to preserve their quality of life.
June 17, 2013 (Santee) – If you've had your bicycle lost or stolen in the last six months; call the Santee Sheriff’s Station. Please provide some form of proof; a picture of the bike, a receipt, identifying marks, or a good description of the bike in order to claim it.
By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, E - The Environmental Magazine
June 17, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: Could it really be true that we are in the midst of the worst drought in the United States since the 1930s?-- Deborah Lynn, Needham, MA
Indeed we are embroiled in what many consider the worst drought in the U.S. since the “Dust Bowl” days of the 1930s that rendered some 50 million acres of farmland barely usable. Back then, drought conditions combined with poor soil management practices to force some 2.5 million Americans away from the Great Plains, only wreaking further havoc on an already devastated Great Depression economy. The lack of native prairie grasses or cover crops to keep the soil in place meant large swaths of formerly productive agricultural land turned to dust and blew away in so-called “black rollers.”
While we have learned a lot about maintaining soil quality since, drought conditions today are nevertheless taking a heavy toll on agricultural productivity, fresh water supplies and the economy—especially as the effects of global warming start to kick in more seriously.
June 17, 2013 (Campo)--Applications are currently being accepted to fill three vacant seats on the Campo Lake Morena Community Planning Group. Two are for four-year terms that started in January 2013. The third is for a seat that has 18 months left to run.
Applicants must reside and be registered to vote in the Campo Planning Group area. Please respond promptly, as candidates will be voted on at the group's June 24 meeting.
June 19, 2013 (Valley Center)--A five-month-old baby abducted in Valley Center by a domestic violence suspect was found safe hours after the abduction, the San Diego Sheriff reports. A countywide amber alert issued for suspect Kenneth Nusun Welch has been cancelled. The suspect in this case was taken into custody in Vista just before 10:00 a.m.
The incident started just before 2:00 a.m, when deputies in Valley Center responded to a domestic violence call on Poomacha Road. Deputies found an injured woman. She was taken to a hospital with life threatening injuries. Deputies also learned the woman's boyfriend, Kenneth Wayne Welch, snatched their five-month-old son and threatened to harm the baby.
June 17, 2018 (San Diego)—Aerial and ground firefighting efforts, including bulldozers, held yesterday’s brush fire to 110 acres. The blaze started around 4:30 off the shoulder of State Route 52 just east of Santo Road. Flames spread quickly in light to medium fuels into the boundary of Mission Trails Regional Park, precipitating a multi-agency responses.
When we first arrived on scene at Highway 52 and Santo Road, the highway was clogged with a hard closure of the on ramp.
June 15, 2013 (Descanso) -- The Descanso Days’ Fair and Parade “Back to the Old West”, presented by the Descanso Town Hall Association, takes place July 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The parade, which begins at 10 a.m. at the Hotshots parking lot at 24321 Viejas Grade Road, Descanso, will follow Viejas Grade to the Descanso School.
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