June 21, 2013 (Campo)--Mary Clark and her son, Jimmie, 3, enjoy an idyllic moment in the summer sun amid wildflowers next to their family's vineyard. Miriam Raftery captured the moment on a visit to the Campo Creek Winery earlier this month. The photograph illustrates the joy of rural living--a lifestyle treasured by many people in East County.
June 20, 2013 (La Mesa) – Don’t discard – shred your household documents in a quick and easy way.
The City of La Mesa is sponsoring another free paper shredding event for La Mesa residents on Saturday, June 22, from 9:00 am to 1:00 p.m. at La Mesa’s EDCO Station, located at 8184 Commercial Street.
There will be a limit of two boxes per household and the shredding will be done onsite. No appointment necessary.
Update 8:30 p.m. - Fire is 70% contained and has reached 110 acres, ECM reporter Nadin Abbott reports.
Update 8:00 p.m. -- The fire has swelled to 60 acres, ECM news partner 10 News reports. One lane of 52 east is now open but the Santos ramp remains closed. There are no threats to structures at this time.
June 16, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A fast-burning brush fire has consumed 20 acres and has now crossed into Mission Trails Regional Park, according to the CHP website at 5:25 p.m. State Route 52 eastbound is also being shut down near Santo Road.
June 17, 2013 (San Diego) – The CalVet Home Loan Program now offers interest rates as low as 3.90%* on a 30-year mortgage to qualified veterans in the market to purchase a home. CalVet’s interest rates are now very competitive with rates being offered by commercial institutions, such as Chase Bank which offers a rate of 4.00%**, Wells Fargo Bank at 4.13%**, and Bank of America at 4.00%**.
June 16, 2013 (Ocotillo Wells)-- Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) has sent a letter to the State Parks Department encouraging open riding in Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) in response to legal action filed by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Desert Protective Council (DPC). Plaintiffs contend that riding off trails has caused extensive environmental damage in the park, which has over 1,200 historic and archaeological sites, as ECM previously reported.
“Many of my constituents enjoy recreating in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, which is why this lawsuit is very troubling," said Jones. "This area has been used for OHV recreation for over 50 years and has always been designated as an open riding area, meaning that users in the park are not required to stay on designated trails."
June 16, 2013 (San Diego) -- Citizens' Oversight, an organization that encourages citizens to take an active role in oversight of their democracy, submitted a demand letter to the California Public Utilities Commission on June 11 alleging that the CPUC violated open meeting laws by halting the group’s representative, Ray Lutz (photo, left), from videotaping a recent public meeting on the San Onofre nuclear plant held in San Francisco. The watchdog group’s letter seeks removal of the CPUC’s administrative law judge from the proceedings and other remedies.
Martha Sullivan with the Coalition to Decommission San Onofre said, "It was disheartening to see the CPUC judge presiding over this investigation of multi-billion dollar regulated utilities be more concerned with their privacy than allowing the Southern California public to observe the evidentiary hearings."
June 18, 2013 (San Diego)--Mayor Bob Filner appointed Theresa Quiroz and Anthony Wagner, two long-time neighborhood champions, to the City’s Planning Commission last week.
“I want to thank Theresa and Anthony for their commitment to our community and believe they will provide a strong voice for our neighborhoods in this new role” Mayor Filner said. “Their experience in community groups, knowledge of land use issues, and belief in healthy and vibrant neighborhoods will make them great additions to the Planning Commission.”
The appointments were approved unanimously by the San Diego City Council.
June 15, 2013 (San Diego) – The world premiere of the documentary film “Who are My People?”, presented by the Activist San Diego, will be June 22, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street, San Diego. The film created by Robert Lundahl is about the environmental struggles, indigenous lands and native peoples. Lundahl and several tribal elders and leaders will attend the premier.
June 17, 2013 (San Diego)-- San Diegans will decide which local environmental nonprofit organization is most deserving of the ECO Ambassadors People’s Choice Award and a grand prize of $25,000 from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The eight local organizations that are finalists were announced at a breakfast ceremony on May 28. They were selected to participate because their programs exemplify environmental stewardship, innovation and responsibility.
“Your source for Trusts, Wills, Probate, Family Law & more”
By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.
June 18, 2013 (San Diego County) – There are several types of wills available in California. It is important you choose the type best suited to your needs and make sure you comply with all the drafting requirements for the will type chosen. An improperly drafted will may not be admitted to probate, may result in a will contest and may result in your assets not being distributed pursuant to your wishes. This article discusses the various will types.
June 14, 2013 (San Diego) – The original Superman was entertaining in the moment, but terribly flawed upon further reflection, especially the ending. As much fun as I had watching it, the ending was one giant mass of plot holes. I remember liking the somewhat turgid Superman Returns when I saw it in theaters seven years ago. Today I can’t remember a single thing about it. Other than that, I had limited exposure to the silly Superman II.
Granite Hills Grad Continues Legacy of Revving up Student Learning
June 13, 2013 (El Cajon)– El Cajon native Jimmie Johnson continues to blaze new trails in his efforts to support student learning, this time with the generous gift of 25 Samsung Galaxy Tabs™ 7” for use in the classroom.
Santana High School Social Science teacher Rebecca Short got a big surprise recently as Santana Principal Tim Schwuchow notified her in front of her students that her winning technology proposal was selected by the District’s Ed Tech Taskforce.. Short’s students will soon get more mileage out of accessing the information highway thanks to a generous gift of 25 Samsung Galaxy Tabs™ 7” from the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Samsung.
The troubling history of our U.S. shadow factory -- and how we have lost rights in the name of security
By Nadin Abbott
June 13, 2013 (San Diego) Edward Snowden shook the power elites in Washington D.C. with his revelations that the National Security Agency (NSA) is spying on Americans. He released documents such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) order to the British newspaper, The Guardian, sending high-level U.S. government officials demanding his prosecution.
June 13, 2013 (San Diego)--On May 15th, the Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that establishes a rigorous process to install wind turbines. By a 4-1 vote, Supervisors agreed to strict guidelines. Our action did not approve a single, specific project.
My vote to adopt the ordinance came after much careful consideration.
As Dr. Dan Silver of the Endangered Habitats League said during his testimony, "wind energy presents a conundrum."
On one hand, I am very supportive of renewable energy to reduce greenhouse gasses. On the other, I am concerned about the significant, unmitigable impacts of large wind turbines.
Campo Creek Ranch offers local delivery of all-natural grass-fed beef
By Miram Raftery
June 13, 2013(Campo)—Cattle come running when rancher John Clark arrives. It looks like a scene out of a California “happy cows” commercial. View video.
These beef cattle are raised in open pastures, not crowded feed lots. They graze in green pastures at Campo Creek Ranch in San Diego’s East County. They receive no hormones and their diet is all natural – native grass or in some cases, barley.
“They’re all much healthier to eat,” says Clark, adding that grass-fed cattle re higher in omega-3 fatty acids. The ranch also offers all-natural chickens, pigs and rabbits – with meat delivered straight to consumers.
June 13, 2013 (Julian) – Julian Brewing Company, Baileys BBQ Pit and Jeremy's on the Hill will present "As local as it gets" – a farm-to-table dinner Friday, June 14 at 6:30 p.m.
June 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – On June 7, 2013 La Mesa Police Detective Dale Perry indentified the robbery suspect from the Sierra Market (3800 Massachusetts Avenue) robbery that occurred on January 28, 2013. In the Sierra Market robbery, the clerk got into an altercation with the suspect and was injured.
On June 7, 2013 at approximately 10:00 am, La Mesa Police detectives arrested 43 year-old Johnny McGee of San Diego and 38 year-old Gina E. Ludwig of San Diego for the robbery.
Throughout June and July, SANDAG will hold community workshops countywide to solicit public input on the biggest issues facing the region between now and 2050 – including the economy, environment, energy, transportation, public health, land use, borders, and social equity. Iinput gathered at these workshops will be used to develop San Diego Forward: The Regional Plan. The SANDAG Board is expected to adopt the plan in 2015.
A workshop in East County will be held on June 27 from 6-8 p.m. in the La Mesa Community Center, Arbor View Room, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. For a full list of workshops, scroll down.
By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, E - The Environmental Magazine
June 10, 2013 (San Diego) --Dear EarthTalk: I'm concerned about toxic ingredients in my cleaning supplies, especially now that I have young children. Where can I find safer alternatives? -- Betsy E., Hartford, CT
It is true that many household cleaners contain potentially toxic substances, so parents especially should make an effort to keep them out of the reach of children or, better yet, replace them with safer alternatives.
June 13, 2013 (Chula Vista)— During a visit to Southwestern College in the San Diego area on Monday, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi fielded questions from local media on Edward Snowden. Snowden has fled the country over fears of possible espionage charges for leaking classified documents revealing that the National Security Administration (NSA) has been accessing phone records for millions of Americans.
The former House Speaker called for a balance between “liberty and security” in a press conference following a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act.
June 12, 2013 (Chula Vista)—House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-53) came to Southwestern College to participate in a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on June 10.
President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. It was sponsored by one of the first women elected to the House, Patsy Mink from Hawaii. Mink also sponsored the legislation behind Title VIX.
June 12, 2013 (El Cajon)- Over 400 students received degrees at Grossmont Community College’s commencement ceremony on Thursday. Commencement speakers included student Derrick Torrence, a Marine Corps veteran who graduated with his daughter, as well as Reverend Eric Smith, a Navy veteran who also wrote his memoir From Crack to Clergy: Provoking Thoughts published in 2011.
June 12, 2013 (San Diego)— Here's some entertainment that's strictly for the birds. Nancy and Gil Riegler, owners of the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, are holding turkey races at the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar--as well as an exotic bird show.
June 7, 2013—(Jamul) A full house of 600 Jamul residents came to a meeting on June 5 to hear a presentation by Penn International Representatives, the latest company engaged by the Jamul Indian Village hoping to build a gaming facility for the Jamul Indian Village, part of the Kumeyaay Nation.
The project has generated widespread community opposition, pitting Native American sovereign rights and economic prosperity against concerns of neighbors over traffic, fire, and rural community character. All but one of the residents who testified opposed the project, despite efforts by the tribe to sharply scale back its original proposal.
June 12, 2013 (San Diego's East County) – Sunbelt Publications' authors of books on East County’s history and cultural heritage will join East County Magazine’s “Celebrate Our Roots” event on Wednesday, June 19 at Heritage of the Americas Museum from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.
The authors will speak and autograph their books. Sunbelt has also donated books as prizes for this event, which celebrates our region’s cultural and agricultural roots. For tickets, call (619)698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org. The event benefits East County Magazine’s nonprofit media outlet and is cosponsored by Sullivan Solar.
June 12, 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 12, 2013 (Santee) – Sharp Healthcare will be providing free health screenings in East County. These screenings could help prevent heart problems, diabetes and other risk factors. The screenings will only take about 15 minutes and are offered on eight different dates this summer.
The screenings will measure your cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Sharp Healthcare will also provide personalized strategies to improve your overall health and well-being. No appointment is needed. All adults over the age of 18 are welcome to participate.
June 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Every day Fire and EMS personnel respond to workplace accidents resulting in injury and even death. It’s estimated that nearly 4 million employees suffer from a workplace injury and employers spend more than $170 billion on associated costs each year. Many of these accidents could be avoided if an education and prevention program were in place says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
June 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Local home sales were strong in May and median prices continued to rise steadily, according to the latest housing statistics from the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR).
Detached home sales increased 15 percent in May compared to April, and about 10 percent from last year. Properties also continued to be scooped up fast, with an average of only 54 days on the market. The median price of detached homes increased to $466,000 in May. That’s up 4 percent from the previous month, and 22 percent from May of 2012. The median price of attached properties was up nearly 6 percent from April, and 33 percent from a year ago. Condos and townhomes surpassed the $300,000 median price, which, according to SDAR’s statistics, hasn’t been topped since March 2008.
June 13, 2013 (San Diego)--“When I woke up, I was confused, I was terrified,” recalled Santee resident Johana Guzman, who was in a coma for two weeks after she was struck by a car while trying to protect her 2-year-old son. With help from Sharp Hospital’s Rehab Services, she overcame her injuries and now helps others. “We are warriors,” she said. “Hard times are opportunities to be better,” she told ECM. “I believe inner strength heals us, helps us to see clearly the value of life. We must never give up our dreams.”
On May 31, Guzman was honored at the annual Victories of Spirit event at Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. Four individuals and one organization received the Eagle Spirit Award, named for the most potent healing symbol of the Navajos. Honorees also included Mike Buxbaum, Anne Herman, and Zach Meno of La Mesa for patient achievement. San Diego State University Fitness Clinic for Individuals with Disabilities was honored for community achievement.
June 15, 2013 (San Diego) – The world premiere of the documentary film “Who are My People?”, presented by the Activist San Diego, will be June 22, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street, San Diego. The film created by Robert Lundahl is about the environmental struggles, indigenous lands and native peoples. Lundahl and several tribal elders and leaders will attend the premier.
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