December 24, 2012 (Mount Helix) -- This Christmas Eve, enjoy Tom Lemon's gift to our readers. I've seen shadows cast by clouds on the earth below, but I'd never before seen shadow on top of the clouds.
Lemon snapped this unusual image from Mount Helix, looking down on pink-tinged clouds early in the morning to see the shadow of the mountain cast on the surface of the clouds.
December 23, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) – From 8 p.m. last night until 2 a.m. this morning, deputies and officers from the San Diego County Avoid 15 Task Force conducted a DUI sobriety and driver license checkpoint near the 2800 block of Jamacha Road in the uninincorporated area of El Cajon. A total of 34 vehicles were sent into secondary screening and 10 field sobriety tests were conducted on drivers. Two DUI arrests were made along with three felony arrest for possession of a controlled substance, and eight citations. In addition, four vehicles were impounded at the checkpoint--one because the driver's license was suspended or revoked and three because the drivers were arrested.
December 22, 2012 (San Diego) – An art exhibition and reception hosted by Gerry and Claire Tietje will be held at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center at 1 Fr. Junipero Serra Dr., from 1 – 4 p.m. on December 23. “Kamera and Kiln” is a joint art exhibition hosted by award winning artists Gerry and Claire Tietje.
December 22, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Newly elected Congressman Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) has been assigned to serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee by House Minority Leader Nandy Pelosi. Vargas, who will be sworn in in January, was elected to fill the seat left by Bob Filner, who stepped down from Congress to run for Mayor.
December 22, 2012 (Ramona)--The temperature was quickly dropping and the car thermometer read in the upper thirties as I talked to Janine outside her mobile home late last night She is a resident of the Ramona Terrace Estates, which lost propane yesterday due to a major leak.
Janine, who did not provide her last name, is worried since they will not get gas power restored until Christmas Eve. It will be cold for the next few days, and among the residents is her father, who lives in one of the units that are "propane only," so right now he is using a space heater to keep warm.
December 21, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – The Lagoon, Lemon Grove Community Church is holding it Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. on the 24th. Enjoy a string quartet, candles, Christmas carols and free hot cider and cinnamon rolls. The church is located at 3122 Main Street in Lemon Grove.
December 22, 2012 (Lakeside) – FUNbelievable Play of Lakeside won a 2012 Totally Awesome Award in the category of ‘Coolest Indoor Playspaces’. The contest was sponsored by “Red Tricycle” and had over 200,000 voters participating.
December 22, 2012 (San Diego) – In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School much of the country is looking for ways to help. San Francisco-based www.Razoo.com has made it easy for Californians to donate money by creating a page dedicated solely to all the charities and nonprofits that are helping the victims and families in the community of Newtown, CT. http://www.razoo.com/p/connecticut-school-tragedy-page/ The page includes the Sandy Hook PTA and the Lutheran Church Charity Fund that is bringing its healing dogs to Newtown to help aid grieving families.
December 22, 2012 – (San Diego) -- Members of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians have voted in a new Tribal Council, returning five of seven incumbents, including Chairman Anthony R. Pico.
Voting took place Saturday, December 15 at the Viejas Tribal Hall. Members of the new Tribal Council are as follows (I = incumbent):
December 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – A fire last night at 1281 North Second Street in El Cajon has displaced two residents, also resulting in smoke and water damage to a vacant commercial business downstairs.
Heartland Fire and Rescue crews responded to the blaze at 10:30 p.m. Upon finding three apartment units in flames, the fire was upgraded to a second alarm. Heartland Fire & Rescue from El Cajon and La Mesa received assistance from the Santee and Lakeside Fire Departments, and the San Miguel Fire Protection District. Firefighters contained the fire in about 35 minutes.
December 21, 2012 (La Mesa) - A man wearing a Santa cap entered the Murray Lake Liquor Store in La Mesa today not bearing gifts nor seeking holiday cheer. Instead, he pulled a gun and ordered the clerk to handover cash from the register at 3:15 p.m. today.
According to witnesses, the suspect also wore a black jacket, shorts, and a black bandana. After stealing the cash, the man in the Santa cap departed the store at 5395 Lake Murray Boulevard not in a sleigh, but in a dark grey Mazda-6 heading north.
December 21, 2012 (Ramona) – It’s going to be a chilly holiday season for 220 residents of the Ramona Terrace Estates mobilehome park, 1212 H Street in Ramona, where a large leak in a 30,000 gallon propane tank has forced shut-off of gas and heating. According to Cal Fire Captain Mike Mohler, the leak will impact residents for the next three to four days.
An emergency shelter/assistance center has been set up at Olive Pierce Middle School, 1521 Hanson Lane in Ramona.
December 21, 2012 (Mount Helix) -- Tom Lemon snapped this serene image depicting a sea of golden-hued clouds, taken from atop Mount Helix on a foggy mid-winter morning in San Diego's East County.
December 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- “We had a good season, it didn’t end the right way,” Aztecs head coach Rocky Long reflected after the Poinsettia Bowl. “We turned the ball over way too much in the second half.”
December 21, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Congresswoman Susan Davis, La Mesa Mayor Art Madrid, and El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick were among the elected officials who joined in our “Feasting & Merrymaking” party over the weekend—and shared some special news for our community.
Our guests also enjoyed live jazz by the amazing Chris Klich trio, fabulous food by chef Patrick Dean and the Grove Pastry Shop, wines from La Serenissima and San Pasqual wineries, plus an East County trivia game and prize drawings.
December 21, 2012 (Warner Springs) --Hawk Watch Winery, which has won international honors for its vintages, is hosting a free party open to all on Saturday, December 22 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Enjoy solo saxophonist Jason Weber while sampling homemade holiday desserts among the twinkling Christmas lights in the barrel room, where you can also sign up to savor some locally made wines.
December 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – in a unanimous decision, the California Public Uitlities Commission (CPUC) denied San Diego Gas & Electric and Southern Califiornia Gas Company’s proposed Wildfire Expense Balancing Account (WEBA). SDG&E had sought to charge ratepayers for its uninsured liability costs for wildfires caused by the utility’s lines, both for future fires and the 2007 firestorms that ravaged San Diego County. Click here for the formal decision.
“This is a huge win for San Diego County residents -- and for common sense,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “SDG&E’s proposal to charge ratepayers for fires the utility largely helped cause would have been a grave injustice to ratepayers and victims of the 2007 firestorms. Sempra Energy and SDG&E continue to make healthy profits and last year dished out hefty bonuses to their top executives,” she added. “The idea that SDG&E cannot afford these costs is nonsense – and I’m glad state regulators appeared to see it the same way.”
December 20, 2012 (Boulevard) –Soitec Solar has applied for amendments to the Boulevard Community Plan in order to build for commercial/industrial-scale solar projects totaling 8,938,000 square feet (over 1,400 acres) of concentrating solar PV. The “super modules”, each 30 feet tall, would track the sun to produce renewable energy. The largest of the projects, Rugged Solar, is proposed for property owned by Hamann Companies of El Cajon.
At a meeting with county staff in Boulevard on December 18, about two dozen people braved cold and stormy weather to attend. “None of the local property owners supported the projects,” Boulevard Planning Group Chair told ECM after the meeting. “They were in shock when I distributed copies of the attached photos.”
December 19, 2012 (Ramona) – Cleveland National Forest Supervisor Will Metz today announced a decision to implement of a permit system for visiting Cedar Creek Falls. Initially, 75 permits per day for groups up to 5 people will be issued and can be reserved online. During peak season, the falls have drawn as many as 1,000 visitors –thus the permit system is apt to reduce the number of visitors who will be able to access the popular attraction during peak demand.
The Ramona trailhead to the falls, closed since July 2011 when 16-year-old Joseph Meram fell to his death, will be reopened in April when use permits take effect, Brian Harris at the USFS told ECM. However a permanent closure on cliffs above the falls was also announced, along with a permanent ban on alcohol in the Cedar Creek Falls area.
Coalition participates in local ‘Sticker Shock’ campaign
December 21, 2012 (El Cajon)--Several high school teens spent Wednesday afternoon in a “sticky” situation as a part of MADD’s “Sticker Shock,” a public awareness campaign to limit youth access to alcohol and remind those over 21 that it is illegal to provide alcohol to minors.
Working with local merchants, members of the East County Youth Coalition placed stickers that read, “Hey you!! It is ILLEGAL to provide alcohol for people under 21!!” on cases of beer at 7-Eleven, Town and Country Liquor and several other stores located near Second Street.
December 21, 2012 (San Diego)--County supervisors broke ground this afternoon for the new Registrar of Voters (ROV) building, the final piece of the puzzle in a years-long project to redevelop the County’s 47-acre operations center in Kearny Mesa.
“By this time next year, we expect to announce the grand opening of yet another high-quality, energy-efficient, public building in keeping with the rest of this award-winning campus,” said Board Chairman Ron Roberts. “This multi-purpose structure will provide a flexible election processing workspace and provide a light, bright and comfortable environment for voters, the general public and employees.”
From left to right: Supervisor Dianne Jacob, Supervisor Bill Horn, Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins-Meyer, Board Chairman Ron Roberts, Registrar Deborah Seiler, Supervisor Greg Cox, Incoming Registrar Michael Vu
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- Not many people would give their personal cell phone number out on live television, but Jeanne McAlister, Founder and CEO of McAlister Institute, will do whatever she can to get someone suffering from substance abuse into treatment. She founded the institute, a 501(c)(3), in 1977. Thirty-five years later, it operates 25 drug treatment programs throughout San Diego and is one of the largest and most diverse AOD (Alcohol and Other Drugs) treatment providers in the county.
December 20, 2012 (Santee) – The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) has announced that Santee resident Kay Toma, a senior attending Francis Parker High School, has been awarded a $1,500 cash scholarship from the BBB after writing a 400-word essay on the importance of ethics and integrity in the community.
Provided courtesy of Daniel P. Harris, Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – You might be surprised to learn that 73% of charitable giving comes from individual contributions – five times more than corporate donations. Now more than ever organizations are relying on nonprofit giving for support, particularly during the holiday season. Fortunately, the holidays are traditionally a time when people feel more inclined to be generous.
Some give as opportunities arise, while others donate to specific organizations based on the cause. Regardless of your motives, it’s important to be well informed about the organizations you will contribute to. By doing so, you can make sure your money is used for its intended purpose and avoid scams.
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Well Christmas is officially here! The last couple weeks we have focused on both outdoor and indoor holiday safety. Christmas day will arrive soon and there’s a few additional safety tips to be aware of!
We’re going to be cooking more over the next few days and on Christmas. Be careful wearing loose clothing around open flames on the stove. Use a timer and use “post it’s” to remind yourself of cooking times in the oven (were going to be distracted more this week than ever). Do not cool hot pans with water if grease is in the. Have a fire extinguisher near-by and know how to use it. A lid placed over a pan on fire will remove oxygen and put the fire out! Be careful using candles at the dinner table (especially if toddlers are present).
Environmentalists voice concerns over impacts on desert views and habitat
December 20, 2012 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced on Monday the completion of two new long-term power purchase agreements in Imperial Valley totaling 40 megawatts (MW) of solar energy. The power is to be produced in Brawley and Calipatria with diverse business enterprise (DBE) participation.
“SDG&E has made a concerted effort to increase the number of diverse-owned suppliers we do business with in electric procurement,” said Matt Burkhart, SDG&E’s vice president of electric and fuel procurement. “
December 18, 2012 (San Diego)-- it was raining and it was cold this morning at Qualcomm Stadium, as union members prepared to give 500 families the fixings for a Christmas Dinner and toys for their children.
One of the recipients was Veronica, who did not share her last name. She is a member of the ATU, local 1309. She drives transit buses for a living. We just talked for a second. But the problem Veronica has, like many other low income families in San Diego, is that she does not get enough hours to make ends meet. She is a mother of several children.
December 20, 2012 (El Cajon) – An extended holiday closure is planned for City offices from December 21, 2012, through January 1, 2013. This includes City Hall, the Recreation Centers, the Public Works Yard and Fire Administration offices. Regular office hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2013.
The El Cajon Police Station will be closed December 24, December 25, December 31 and January 1. They will be open December 26, 27, and 28.
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Effective Tuesday morning at 6:00 am, December 18, 2012, fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest were reduced to the “General Level.” The recent rain and cooler temperatures have lessened likelihood that small fires will become larger fires.
“While the height of our fire season may be coming to an end, we urge that people stay vigilant to prevent wildfires,” said Carlton Joseph, Fire Chief for the Cleveland National Forest. “Our fire season in southern California is year round, and we remain ready to respond to these emergency situations.”
December 22, 2012 (San Diego) – An art exhibition and reception hosted by Gerry and Claire Tietje will be held at Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center at 1 Fr. Junipero Serra Dr., from 1 – 4 p.m. on December 23. “Kamera and Kiln” is a joint art exhibition hosted by award winning artists Gerry and Claire Tietje.
December 22, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Newly elected Congressman Juan Vargas (D-San Diego) has been assigned to serve on the Foreign Affairs Committee by House Minority Leader Nandy Pelosi. Vargas, who will be sworn in in January, was elected to fill the seat left by Bob Filner, who stepped down from Congress to run for Mayor.
December 21, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – The Lagoon, Lemon Grove Community Church is holding it Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 6 p.m. on the 24th. Enjoy a string quartet, candles, Christmas carols and free hot cider and cinnamon rolls. The church is located at 3122 Main Street in Lemon Grove.
December 22, 2012 (Lakeside) – FUNbelievable Play of Lakeside won a 2012 Totally Awesome Award in the category of ‘Coolest Indoor Playspaces’. The contest was sponsored by “Red Tricycle” and had over 200,000 voters participating.
December 22, 2012 (San Diego) – In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School much of the country is looking for ways to help. San Francisco-based 
December 22, 2012 – (San Diego) -- Members of the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians have voted in a new Tribal Council, returning five of seven incumbents, including Chairman Anthony R. Pico. 
By Miriam Raftery
December 11, 2012 (San Diego) -- “We had a good season, it didn’t end the right way,” Aztecs head coach Rocky Long reflected after the Poinsettia Bowl. “We turned the ball over way too much in the second half.”
By Miriam Raftery
Coalition participates in local ‘Sticker Shock’ campaign
December 21, 2012 (San Diego)--County supervisors broke ground this afternoon for the new Registrar of Voters (ROV) building, the final piece of the puzzle in a years-long project to redevelop the County’s 47-acre operations center in Kearny Mesa.
Provided courtesy of Daniel P. Harris, Senior Vice President, Regional Manager, Philanthropic Services at Wells Fargo
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Well Christmas is officially here! The last couple weeks we have focused on both outdoor and indoor holiday safety. Christmas day will arrive soon and there’s a few additional safety tips to be aware of!
By Miriam Raftery
By Nadin Abbott
December 20, 2012 (El Cajon) – An extended holiday closure is planned for City offices from December 21, 2012, through January 1, 2013. This includes City Hall, the Recreation Centers, the Public Works Yard and Fire Administration offices. Regular office hours will resume on Wednesday, January 2, 2013. 
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Effective Tuesday morning at 6:00 am, December 18, 2012, fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest were reduced to the “General Level.” The recent rain and cooler temperatures have lessened likelihood that small fires will become larger fires.
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