March 12, 2013 (Ramona)--Vice-Chairwoman Dianne Jacob and Supervisor Ron Roberts will join disaster response experts at the Ramona Air Field today to urge the federal government to recognize that the Ramona Air Traffic Control Tower is a critical asset during county disasters, especially fires.
The Cal Fire Air Attack Base at the Ramona Air Field responds to an average of 450 calls per year and protects more than 1.7 million acres, including U.S. Forest Service land. The base played a key role in fighting the 2003 and 2007 wildfires. The county, along with Cal Fire, has made significant technology investments and upgrades to aircraft that fly from Ramona.
In response to sequestration, the Federal Aviation Administration is proposing to close air traffic control towers deemed not crucial to the national interest. The County has learned that the Ramona Airport ATCT, operated under a FAA contract with Serco Inc., is targeted for closure.
Oasis in the Desert for Stagecoach Riders, Civil War Soldiers
March 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Can’t live without your cell phone? What about your car? Imagine then riding a stagecoach out on the western frontier 150 years ago. While you can’t actually step back in time, you can get an idea of what life was like back then at Vallecito Days, a free weekend festival March 16 and 17 at Vallecito County Park.
March 11, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A 4.7 earthquake at 9:56 a.m. rattle San Diego and Imperial Counties. The temblor was located 64 miles east of San Diego, 13 miles east-southeast of Anza and 23 miles south of Palm Springs. The U.S. Geological Survey has downgraded the strength of the quake, which was earlier estimated at 5.2.
March, 13, 2013 (SDSU) – Giving new meaning to the term “beer bash,” A resident of Villa Alvarado Residence Hall at San Diego State University was struck on the head with an empty beer bottle last night.
The incident occurred around 9:15 when the victim heard shouting outside his front door. He opened the door to see what was going on and was immediately struck with the bottle, causing a laceration on top of his head, according to campus police.
March 12, 2013 (Spring Valley)--San Miguel Fire District Firefighters responded to a fully engulfed mobile home fire tonight at Avalon Estates in the 1200 block of Grand Avenue, Spring Valley.
Two of the family’s four residents were home when the fire broke out. One resident, a female broke a bedroom window and escaped the flames, said Leonard Villareal, public information officer at San Miguel Fire Department. The other person home, a young man suffered severe to moderate burns over an estimated 25-percent of his body as he ran through the flames to escape from the front door. He was given stabilizing care on the scene and then rushed to the UCSD Burn Center.
March 10, 2013 (Julian)—Why is the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District in financial trouble—and why would the District refuse to join the County Fire Authority? Is there a way for the cash-strapped District to retain its independence and assure a swift response time for residents?
These are important questions. The answers reveal a distrust shared by other rural fire departments that have reported longer response times and other concerns after giving up volunteer firefighters to join the County system.
March 10, 2013 (Sacramento) - One million more low-income and uninsured Californians are closer to getting health care. The state Assembly and Senate have passed key legislation that will expand California's Medi-Cal program and make it easier and faster to use.
Assembly Speaker John Perez says the bills are an important step to ensure those living below the poverty line have access to quality care. "People living at or below 138 percent of the federal poverty line," Perez says. "We're talking about people surviving on $15,400 a year or less."
March 10, 2013 (Alpine)--The Alpine Woman’s Club will hold their next monthly luncheon on Tuesday, March 19th at 12:00 noon. After the meeting, local author, Cordell Falk will talk about his New Fiction Series Release “Valley of the Damned”, taking us back at least 140 years to the barren California desert where conspiracy, intrigue and suspense are on tap.
March 10, 2012 (San Diego)--A recent Sierra Club news release states, “For more than two million Californians, access to clean drinking water is a daily struggle. This year, a number of legislators are taking the lead to address this growing problem. According to a study conducted by the California Water Resources Control Board, 680 communities in California rely on contaminated water sources and roughly a third does not have necessary filtering systems in place to make sure that the water that comes out of their faucet is safe to drink.”
In this case to uphold processes involving consultation when construction projects impact historic grounds, where there was a village, burials, where there is an area historically, or in the present day used by Native peoples, in spiritual or traditional practices.
March 10, 2013 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon congratulates El Cajon’s Jimmie Johnson on his first place finish at the Daytona 500 on February 24, 2013. This is Johnson’s second Daytona 500 victory and 400th start in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
In Celebration of the City’s Centennial Year, November 2012 through November 2013, look for Jimmie Johnson Banners to be up around the City very soon. Key places the banners will be placed include the homes the Jimmie Johnson Foundation and Habitat for Humanity built on Foundation Lane, on Second Street where the car culture of the community was enjoyed, and near Jimmie’s favorite Mexican restaurant at Greenfield Drive and East Main Street close to where Jimmie grew up in East El Cajon.
March 12, 2013 (La Mesa) – Mark Christopher Lawrence from NBC’s hit series “Chuck” will headline a Brew Ha Ha comedy show Wednesday, March 13 at Haritna Mediterranean Restaurant, 7303 El Cajon Blvd. in La Mesa. Haritna was voted best Mediterranean food in San Diego by San Diego “A” List.
A mixer begins at 6 p.m. followed by the show from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Mediterranean food is available, plus hookah on the patio.
March 12, 2013 (El Cajon) – The next San Diego Antique & Collectible show will be held on Wednesday, March 13, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The show features local dealers with a wide variety of antiques and collectables for sale, all categories.
You can also bring in your own antiques and collectibles for appraisals. First appraisal is free, thereafter “Thumbnail” appraisals available for $5.00 each. Admission and parking are free.
March 11, 2013 ( San Diego)--The 40th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision, which established a woman’s constitutional right to safe and legal abortion, passed last January 15 with a lot of crowing — from the anti-choice side. Time magazine ran a cover story that announced that advocates for women’s right to reproductive choice won a big victory with Roe v. Wade — “and they’ve been losing ever since.” Over those 40 years, the Supreme Court has moved farther and farther Right and given states leeway to create more and more so-called “reasonable restrictions” on women’s right to choose. A continued campaign of terrorism — there’s no other word for it — against abortion providers has intimidated doctors, nurses and clinic staff and forced women who want abortions to get them in conditions which resemble maximum-security prisons.
March 9, 2013 (San Diego) – St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center will be the featured special guest artist at the Art Glass Guild’s Spring Patio Show and Sale on Saturday and Sunday, May 11-12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The largest art glass show in Southern California will be held at Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park.
All forms of art glass including blown, fused, torch worked, stained glass, cast, etched, and mosaic will be featured. Over 30 juried glass artists will be exhibiting their art.
March 9, 2013 (Bonita) – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could result in significant changes or weakening of the federal Voting Rights Act, a landmark law which guarantees one of our most important civil rights, the right to vote.
On Tuesday, March 12, the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club will host a presentation on the Voting Rights Act and the case now before the Supreme Court. Refreshments will be served at 6:30, followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.
March 9, 2013 (Valley Center) -- What could be more relaxing than a Holiday English High Tea served up amid fields of lavender?
On March 16, enjoy an early St. Patrick’s Day tea featuring lavender scones served with jam and Devonshire cream, Irish artisan cheese, apples and candied nut crumbles sandwiches, and decadent Irish butter shortbread dreams. This festive fare will be served up at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center.
March 9, 2013 (Julian)--There will be an old fashioned brunch between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon at the historic Pine Hills Lodge, tucked into the woods near Julian. The cost is $12.95 for adults, $10.95 Children 10 and under and, $5 for a highchair.
Also Get Dog Licenses, Microchips and Rabies Vaccinations Sunday Clinic
March 9, 2013 (San Diego) – In an effort to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and puppies this time of year, County Animal Services will continue to offer $100 coupons for spaying female cats and also make the coupons available for spaying female pit bulls and Chihuahuas through the month of March while supplies last. Coupons for $75 are available for both male and female dogs of other breeds and male cats.
Pet owners can pick up the coupons from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10 during a clinic at County Animal Services located at 5480 Gaines Street in San Diego. Owners can also get their four-legged family members microchipped, vaccinated and licensed during that time.
March 9, 2013 (Lakeside) - Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods at Riverview Elementary School and Lakeside Union School District’s 5th Annual International Fair on Saturday, March 16th from 11am to 5pm. This fun-filled community event, complete with a one-of-the-kind silent auction, inflatables for the kids, photo booth, face painting, petting zoo and local product vendor and food booths takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside. All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662, go to http://www.lsusd.net/Domain/690 or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverview-International-Fair/158649264184882?fref=ts
March 9, 2013 (San Diego) – When Sam Raimi is at the helm, look out! His films bristle with energy. Lots of it. This trademark began with his first film, The Evil Dead. Even though it was made on a shoestring budget, its brisk editing, overpowering scares, and elaborate make-up and gross-out special effects made it simultaneously freaky and exhausting.
March 9, 2013 (Ranchita) -- For most people, their home is their sanctuary. Having a cell tower erected close to your home or in your neighborhood would be an issue. Yet, if you disagreed with a neighbor’s application to install a cell tower, ranging in height to 58’, would you be able to do anything about it? In the unincorporated community of Ranchita, which is 4,065 feet elevation and approximately 12 miles southwest of Borrego Springs, a group of residents is finding out. These residents have formed an organization, Ranchita Community Group for Responsible Cell Tower Siting. They have committed to proving to the county that the proposed location of a new Verizon cell tower is inappropriate. The construction company is Vista Towers, LLC. The county’s job is to review the application for the tower.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – Troy Teague, former Executive Director of the La Posta Gaming Commission, pled guilty today to embezzling $57,000 from the la Posta Band of Mission Indians. The plea was made before Magistrate Judge Jan Adler, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced.
The La Posta Casino (photo, left) shut down in October 2012. A letter written by Tribal Council Chairwoman Gwendolyn Parada to employees stated that the casino, located off I-8, would close “due to its current financial situation,” 10 News reported. The smallest of San Diego County’s casinos, at its peak La Posta employed approximately 100 people.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego)--The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.
While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain.
Alvarado Hospital Expert Offers Tips for Adjusting to the Time Change
By Tina Barker
March 8, 2013 (San Diego)--With daylight saving time just around the corner, moving our clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. also means losing one hour of sleep.
To some this may mean complaints of fatigue, memory lapses, impaired reaction time and clumsiness, but according to researchers that report in the New England Journal of Medicine there is a connection between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular health risks. An increase in the amount of heart attacks could occur during the first week of this time change.
The following tips given by Dr. Larry Emdur, pulmonologist, with Alvarado Hospital Sleep Center offers the following tips to help your body adjust to the time change in a faster and easier transition and alleviate your chances of serious cardiovascular health risks.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – The California Highway Patrol reported 343 collisions during today’s rain storm in just five hours, between 12 noon and 5 p.m , throughout San Diego County. That’s several times higher than a normal good weather day, which averages 50 to 75 crashes.
March 8, 2013 (City Heights) – Refugee farmers from Myanmar who participate in the International Refugee Committee’s agriculture training program will host a grand opening of their independent farm business , Hornbill Produce, at their new produce stand at City Farmer’s Nursery, 4832 Home Avenue in City Heights.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy live music with local Bluegrass/American Folk heroes Songs for People and traditional cultural dance from Myanmar. Tour the nursery and visit with the pony, chickens and goats. Stay for lunch at Nate’s Garden Grill.
March 8, 2013 (Blossom Valley)--This one-year-old, female 10 lb tiny Schnoodle (Schnauzer/ Poodle) loves to follow us around our large acreage. She bonds very closely and strives to stay with her family, and loves to play when she is not being cuddled. She shows us that she is friendly with all dogs, and people of all ages. She is trustworthy if left outside alone, and will stay with our small pack of dogs.
If you are interested in this little princess please email me the life you can give to her including the amount of hours she will be alone while you are at work, and the family members she will have.
March 8, 2013 (Alpine)--This question will be addressed at the next ACPG Circulation Subcommittee, scheduled for 6:30 pm on March 14 at the Alpine Community Center.
Bob Citrano, SD County Planner will be on hand to explain the roadway improvements recommended in a recent Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. San Diego County is seeking public comments on the SEIR report for the Former FCI lands which are the subject of a proposed amendment to the San Diego General plan adopted in 2011. Although the amendment deals with land use density changes in nine planning areas within the County including areas north, east and south of Alpine, the traffic assessment portion of the SEIR deals with the traffic impacts that increased population would bring to Alpine.
March 8, 2013 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Union High School District has announced that it will not bring any certificated teacher layoff notices to the Governing Board at this time. By law, school districts are required to send preliminary notices to certificated staff (teachers) by March 15 if they won’t be offered a contract for the next school year.
The decision was based upon data released by the California Department of Finance last week, where it appears that a version of the Governor’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) will result in funding that is adequate to mitigate the effect of the District’s projected enrollment decline of 879 students next year. Other budget solutions, including the commitment of $7.1 million in district reserves, will be used to cover shortfalls that might exist due to structural deficits that persist.
Oasis in the Desert for Stagecoach Riders, Civil War Soldiers 
By Lori Abbott, California News Service
March 12, 2013 (El Cajon) – The next San Diego Antique & Collectible show will be held on Wednesday, March 13, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. The show features local dealers with a wide variety of antiques and collectables for sale, all categories.
Also Get Dog Licenses, Microchips and Rabies Vaccinations Sunday Clinic
March 9, 2013 (Lakeside) - Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods at Riverview Elementary School and Lakeside Union School District’s 5th Annual International Fair on Saturday, March 16th from 11am to 5pm. This fun-filled community event, complete with a one-of-the-kind silent auction, inflatables for the kids, photo booth, face painting, petting zoo and local product vendor and food booths takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside. All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662, go to 
By Brian Lafferty
By Ariele Johannson
By Tina Barker
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