December 19, 2012 (San Diego)– The U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus today announced that Rep.-Elect Scott Peters has been assigned to serve on the House Armed Services Committee. The move strengthens San Diego’s representation on the committee, where Democrat Susan Davis and Republican Duncan D. Hunter are already members.
“Our military and defense industry is a large and critical part of our regional economy that employs hundreds of thousands of San Diegans,” said Peters, who defeated Rep. Brian Bilbray in the November election. “As the Representative for the new 52nd District, which is home to seven military bases, serving on Armed Services is an important assignment and an honor.”
December 20, 2012 (Washington D.C.)--Enough is enough. Of the 11 deadliest shootings in American history, five have happened since 2007.¹ My heart breaks for the grieving families in Newtown and across the country. They deserve our deepest condolences, but also our determined action to end these atrocities.
I was heartened when I found out that more than 11,000 of you share my vision and have already expressed support for a similar approach. Please take the next step and join me as a citizen co-sponsor so we can work together.
December 20, 2012 (El Cajon)—Members of the East County Chamber of Commerce gathered for some seasonal merrymaking and networking at the Kia dealership in El Cajon. This event, along with a Chamber breakfast earlier in the month, also doubled as a toy drive to help brighten this holiday season for children from needy families.
An SDSU professor uses Hollywood technology to research facial movements and speech-language development in children with cerebral palsy.
December 20, 2012 (San Diego)--In a speech, language and hearing sciences research lab at San Diego State University, children with cerebral palsy and those who are typically developing are experiencing a certain kind of fame.
Speech language professor Ignatius Nip is researching and analyzing the interaction between facial movements and speech-language development in these children using the same motion capture technology that transfers actor's expressions to computer-generated film characters.
December 20, 2012 (Washington D.C.)—December 21, 2012 won’t be the end of the world as some have claimed, just another winter solstice. That’s the word from NASA, which further states, “Contrary to some of the common beliefs out there, the claims behind the end of the world quickly unravel when pinned down to the 2012 timeline.”
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Now that your outdoor decorations are placed, it’s time to focus on some indoor holiday safety tips. Thousands of accidents and fires can be prevented each year if you take the time to practice safety measures says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego) – Why did the California Public Utilities Commission fail to notify parties that it plans to hear a drastically revised alternate decision at tomorrow’s meeting on SDG&E’s proposed Wildfire Expense Balancing Account (WEBA)?
The new version, written by Commissioner Timothy Simon, would allow SDG&E to charge ratepayers not only for certain uninsured costs of future wildfires caused by its lines, but also appears to now include the 2007 wildfires as well—a shift that has outraged fire survivors. (See pages 23 and 28 at link above.) The draft contains numerous other changes from an earlier alternate decision penned by Simon, as well as a separate alternate decision penned previously by Commissioner Maribeth Bushey, as ECM reported earlier.
Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, representing fire victim Ruth Henricks, sent an e-mail tonight to the CPUC objecting to any discussion or consideration of the new alternative decision on grounds that it violates the Brown Act due to failure to give proper notice, as well as collective concurrence outside a properly noticed meeting. He also alleges violation of due process.
December 19, 2012 (Jamul) -- U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted a smuggling attempt on State Route (SR) 94 in Jamul yesterday, resulting in seizure of nearly 26 pounds of methamphetamine.
Agents encountered a U.S. citizen, 49, driving a 2000 BMW at the SR 94 checkpoint near Jamul at 2:45 p.m.. Agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert.
December 19, 2012 (El Cajon ) –The Mother Goose Parade wasn’t the only beneficiary of funds stolen by former El Cajon Councilwoman Jillian Hanson-Cox, who pled guilty to embezzling more than $3.6 million from Century Design, Inc (CDI), her former employer.
Court documents reveal that she also spent purloined money to hire celebrity impersonators to appear at her campaign fundraiser in 2004. She treated the city’s former Chief of Police to a vacation at a Hawaiian resort hotel. Plus she hosted city public information officer Monica Zech at a Beverly Hills hotel, including manicures and other spa treatments.
December 19, 2012 -- (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:
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –Yes, there is a free lunch!
Each election, SD Rostra/Flash Report’s Barry Jantz holds a contest to see who can predict the most local election outcomes based on questions he dream up. The winner (me!) successfully nailed eight of ten questions, plus three tie-breakers.
The prize? Free entry to the next “Albondigas” luncheon for political movers and shakers in East County. I look forward to savoring my winnings. Hmm...maybe I should try my luck at predicting horseracing next....
December 19, 2012 -- (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:
By Anat Tour, math teacher and children’s author/illustrator
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--December is a busy time for the holidays, but if you are a high school senior this is the season to get your college checklist in order.
In addition, here are my picks for this month’s top stories of interest to local students, teachers, and parents:
December 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--It's not easy to speak of what happened last week at Sandy Hook elementary school in Connecticut, where a gunman opened fire. It is harder because this is not the first mass shooting, and probably will not be the last. But with the slaughter of 20 innocent children and 6 adults, we might finally hit a tipping point in how we look at guns and our culture.
I come at this not just as a gun owner, but also as a former first responder who saw firsthand what a NATO round or a Warsaw round can do to the human body. Mexico, where I worked with the Red Cross, is a place where these weapons are used regularly by the cartels.
Education professionals and a Granite Hills shooting survivor offer advice for parents and students
By Miriam Raftery (Photo from Facebook memorial page)
December 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – News of today’s shooting at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 26 people including 20 children before taking his own life, has triggered strong reactions here in San Diego County, a region that has suffered through numerous school shootings.
“Personally I am very shocked and saddened…I have shed tears,” Fran Zumwalt, a teacher wounded in the 2001 Granite Hills High School shootings, told ECM. “Words cannot express the sorrow I feel for those who lost loved ones today. No parents should ever lose a child. I hope all of the citizens of Connecticut can feel the prayers of all of us—for their children, their families and their communities.”
December 18, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Vintage cars festooned in lights rolled down Main Street in El Cajon last week for the city’s first Parade of Lights. The celebration continued at Prescott Promenade Park, where members of the San Diego Costume Guild garbed in Victorian attire—as well as some attractive Santa’s helpers, mingled with the crowd, evoking images of Christmas past and present.
December 18, 2012 (San Diego)--For the 10th consecutive year, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, owners of the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, sponsored the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s free annual family holiday party for people with MS, as well as their family members and caregivers. The National MS Society in San Diego said more than 600 people attended the 2012 event held on Sunday, Dec. 9 at the San Diego Community Concourse Golden Hall in Downtown San Diego. The holiday party featured a brunch, entertainment and gifts for children delivered by one of Santa’s helpers. Sycuan has sponsored the annual event since 2003.
Baja California Plant Field Guild: 3rd Edition, by Jon P. Rebman and Norman C. Roberts (Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, California, 2012, 451 pages).
The desert regions of Baja California and Southern California satisfy my need for scientific adventure while providing a sense of excitement towards botany, reverence for nature and its unaltered beauty, appreciation for the complexity of natural history, and an overall feeling of peace and purpose. -Jon P. Rebman
Book Review by Dennis Moore
December 18, 2012 (San Diego)--Having lived in Baja California for a number of years and traveled all over this beautiful country of Mexico, from Cancun, Cantamar, Rosarito Beach and Tijuana, I have gained a great appreciation of the book written by Jon P. Rebman and Norman C. Roberts; Baja California Plant Field Guild: 3rd Edition. For those with an interest in the outdoors south of the border, this book, rich with beautiful photographs and descriptions, would make an appealing holiday gift.
Toys expand 400 times in size, causing blockage in intestine if swallowed
December 18, 2012 (Washington D.C.) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada today announced a voluntary recall of Water Balz, Growing Skulls, H20 Orbs "Despicable Me" and Fabulous Flowers toys imported by Dunecraft, Inc.
About 94,700 of the toys have been sold in the U.S. at major retail stores, internet sites and other locations, as well as 600 sold in Canada.
I have been very saddened by the discovery that my fellow El Cajon City Council Member, Jillian Hanson-Cox, was not the person I thought she was. I had always seen Jillian as a very warm-hearted, caring and honest individual. The documents now on file in the federal district court convincingly show that she is just the opposite.
December 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Flooded with complaints from ratepayers, the California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public meeting tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in San Clemente on whether to allow SDG&E to impose a hefty fee hike for customers who want to opt out of having smart meters on their homes.
Susan Brinchman of La Mesa, director and founder of the Center for Electrosmog Prevention, has led efforts to stop the fee hikes. “Come join us to protest and speak out about smart meter opt-out fees in front of the CPUC judge making decisions on fees and whether to DOUBLE the opt-out fees,” she wrote in an e-mail to ECM. “We need speakers.”
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory in effect from 10 p.m. tonight, with frost likely again Thursday night. The warning includes San Diego County valleys, desert areas and wind-sheltered locations west of the mountains.
Damage to sensitive plants is likely when frost occurs, so sensitive plants should be covered to protect them.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego) – Tomorrow night’s Poinsettia Bowl game between the San Diego State University Aztecs and the Brigham Young University Cougars will be the 36th meeting between the two teams—and the first since BYU’s final season in the Mountain West in 2010.
Kick-off sis at 5 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium for this year’s Poinsettia Bowl, sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union.
December 17, 2012 (Alpine)--The Alpine Fire District will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for our local families who have fallen on hard times. Throughout the years, your generous donations have brought great joy to many children. The toy barrel is inside the foyer at the fire station located at 1364 Tavern Road. Please stop by and fill the barrel so we can brighten the holidays for the children of our community.
By guest columnist Jennifer Douglas, Save KLSD film writer/co-producer
December 17, 2012 (San Diego)--As we celebrate the holidays and ring out 2012, it’s also time to pay attention what is happening right now with ownership of the mass media. Sad to say, the mood is more Scrooge-like than reflecting the spirit of Santa or Jesus. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is about to deregulate the media--and San Diego’s very own media mogul, U-T owner/developer Doug Manchester, may buy-up even more media outlets.
December 17, 2012 (Alpine)--Are you opposed to 7-Eleven selling beer, wine and spirits in the heart of Alpine? Do you think three liquor stores within walking distance of each other are too many? You can do something about it!
On December 3 the applicant, 7-Eleven, Inc., posted the required ABC notice on the fence at the corner of West Victoria and Alpine Blvd. This started the 30-day public comment period for transferring the liquor license from the Ranch Market to the proposed 7-Eleven at this new location. We believe moving this license will cause an undue concentration of licenses in the center of Alpine by clustering three off-sale license establishments within 600 feet of each other.
December 17, 2012 (El Cajon) —Just like all of her classmates, Brittany Wnek grew up going to school, participating in a variety of school activities and sports -- just being an everyday kid.
Then one day she found her life consumed with hospital appointments, CT scans and MRI's, chemo, radiation and many surgeries.
Neighborhood National Bank committed to serving low-moderate income census tracts for more than a decade
December 17, 2012 (San Diego)—Neighborhood National Bank has reached its 15th anniversary as a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The bank will celebrate its 15 year anniversary all-day open houses at each of its branch locations throughout the day on December 19, 2012. Guests are welcome to stop by any of the branches during business hours (9:00a.m.-5:00p.m.) for light refreshments and treats.
Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons – a Dialogue with America’s Young Leaders, by Gregory J. Reed, Esq., (Amber Books, Phoenix, Arizona, 2012, 294 pages).
Update: Obama Talks Back has received an NAACP Image Award nomination for literature. The winner will be announced live on TV from Hollywood February 1, 2013.
Book Review by Dennis Moore
December 17, 2012 (San Diego)--Gregory J. Reed, Esq., CEO and Founder of Keeper of the Word Foundation, has written a poignant and heartfelt book that resonates with me for a number of reasons: Obama Talks Back: Global Lessons – A Dialogue with America’s Young Leaders.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego)--Bank robbers last year walked away from federally insured banks, credit unions, savings and loan associations, and armored trucks with more than $38 million in cash, according to the last full year of FBI bank crime statistics. In one in five cases, the money was recovered. In the unsolved cases, surveillance images of suspects were often posted online—on FBI wanted posters and elsewhere—to enlist the public’s help.
To further that effort, the FBI has launched a new Wanted Bank Robbers website at bankrobbers.fbi.gov, the first national system of its kind.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego)– The U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus 
By Senator Dianne Feinstein
December 20, 2012 (El Cajon)—Members of the East County Chamber of Commerce gathered for some seasonal merrymaking and networking at the Kia dealership in El Cajon. This event, along with a Chamber breakfast earlier in the month, also doubled as a toy drive to help brighten this holiday season for children from needy families. 
An SDSU professor uses Hollywood technology to research facial movements and speech-language development in children with cerebral palsy.
December 20, 2012 (San Diego) – Now that your outdoor decorations are placed, it’s time to focus on some indoor holiday safety tips. Thousands of accidents and fires can be prevented each year if you take the time to practice safety measures says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.
By Miriam Raftery
December 19, 2012 -- (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:
-tied to Hamas (Christian Science Monitor)
December 19, 2012 -- (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:
By Nadin Abbott
Education professionals and a Granite Hills shooting survivor offer advice for parents and students 
By Miriam Raftery
December 18, 2012 (San Diego)--For the 10th consecutive year, the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation, owners of the Sycuan Resort & Casino in El Cajon, sponsored the National Multiple Sclerosis Society’s free annual family holiday party for people with MS, as well as their family members and caregivers. The National MS Society in San Diego said more than 600 people attended the 2012 event held on Sunday, Dec. 9 at the San Diego Community Concourse Golden Hall in Downtown San Diego. The holiday party featured a brunch, entertainment and gifts for children delivered by one of Santa’s helpers. Sycuan has sponsored the annual event since 2003.
Baja California Plant Field Guild: 3rd Edition, by Jon P. Rebman and Norman C. Roberts (Sunbelt Publications, San Diego, California, 2012, 451 pages).
Toys expand 400 times in size, causing blockage in intestine if swallowed
December 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Flooded with complaints from ratepayers, the California Public Utilities Commission will hold a public meeting tomorrow night at 6 p.m. in San Clemente on whether to allow SDG&E to impose a hefty fee hike for customers who want to opt out of having smart meters on their homes.
December 19, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a frost advisory in effect from 10 p.m. tonight, with frost likely again Thursday night. The warning includes San Diego County valleys, desert areas and wind-sheltered locations west of the mountains.
December 17, 2012 (Alpine)--The Alpine Fire District will be accepting new, unwrapped toys for our local families who have fallen on hard times. Throughout the years, your generous donations have brought great joy to many children. The toy barrel is inside the foyer at the fire station located at 1364 Tavern Road. Please stop by and fill the barrel so we can brighten the holidays for the children of our community.
By guest columnist Jennifer Douglas, Save KLSD film writer/co-producer
By Tom Myers
By Nick Pellegrino, East County Sports
Neighborhood National Bank committed to serving low-moderate income census tracts for more than a decade 
Nationwide bank robber website -
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