COUNTY BUDGET INCLUDES MANY EAST COUNTY PROJECTS

MCCANN CONCEDES: AGUIRRE WINS SUPERVISOR SEAT

NEW NAME FOR SANCTUARY IN ALPINE

AGUIRRE TAKES STRONG LEAD IN DISTRICT 1 SUPERVISORIAL RACE

ISSA BILL WILL INCENTIVIZE WILDFIRE PREVENTION THROUGH TARGETED TAX RELIEF

EL CAJON POLICE ARREST PAROLEE IN POSSESSION OF FIREARM, NARCOTICS AND AMMUNITION

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS

DRIVER CHARGED WITH HOMICIDE, DUI IN FATALITY LEMON GROVE CRASH

INJURED MOUNTAIN LION RETURNS TO WILD; 2 OTHER CUBS CONTINUE REHAB AT RAMONA WILDLIFE CENTER

MARINES NOW STATIONED IN CAMPO AT BORDER; NEWSOM OFFICE: 'DANGER' TO COMMUNITY

SUSPECTS ARRESTED FOR ATTEMPTED MURDER AT PARKWAY PLAZA

SUPREME COURT LIMITS INJUNCTIONS THAT BLOCKED TRUMP’S PLAN FOR BIRTHRIGHT CITIZENSHIP

CITY’S NEW SUCCESSOR AGENCY BOARD TAKES ACTION ON FUNDS FOR REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

 
By Nadin Abbott
 
April 27, 20011 (San Diego) – Newly sworn in members of the Oversight Board Successor Agency went straight to work yesterday, approving funding for continuing of approximately 800 projects in the pipeline.  The new board is the successor organization to the Centre City Development Corporation, which was required to dissolve following a December California Supreme Court decision upholding Legislative action. 

 

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 

April 26, 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 reflecting 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:   
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S.
  • Feds make first arrest in BP Gulf Coast oil spill (CBS)
  • Justices to hear appeal over controversial Arizona immigration law (CNN)
  • Obama takes on college costs, eyes young voters (Bloomberg)
  • Radioactive particles from Japan detected in California kelp (Los Angeles Times)
  • Romney sweeps five northeast primaries (USA Today)
  • Mitt Romney: Mothers should be required to work outside home or lose benefits (HuffingtonPost)
 
WORLD
  • Stirring Mexico volcano closes schools, raises alert (Reuters)
  • Afghan girls in school after poison attack (BBC)
  • Japan fears nuclear plant sits atop active geological fault (Reuters)
  • Hollande and Sarkozy head for runoff in French election (NY Times)
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.  

SDWRITEWAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR THE END OF APRIL

 
April 26, 2012 (San Diego) -- The calendar of SDWRITEWAY for the end of April contains multiple events. For further information, please see the website at http://www.sdwriteway.org/readers_lounge/readers_lounge.html
 
April 28 (Saturday, 2:00 pm) — Former San Diego resident and veteran video game designer Erin Hoffman’s Lance of Earth and Sky presents her characters with the challenge of dealing with the consequences of the actions they took in Sword of Fire and Sea, especially the decision to rekindle elemental magic in the world of Andovar.

CONGRESSMAN FILNER TO RECEIVE FLEET RESERVE ASSOCIATION’S NATIONAL PINNACLE AWARD

 

April 26, 2012 (Washington, DC ) -- Congressman Bob Filner has been selected to receive the Fleet Reserve Association’s (FRA) prestigious national 2012 Pinnacle Award at a ceremony in Washington, DC, today, April 26th.
 
“It is a great honor to be recognized for all of my work on behalf of our Navy, Marine and Coast Guard veterans!” said Congressman Filner.  “I am truly humbled to receive this award. As Chair of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, we were able to pass landmark legislation to improve the G.I. Bill, increase funding for veterans healthcare and establish a plan to end veteran homelessness by 2015.”

 

SAN DIEGO VETERAN WRITERS TAKE THE STAGE WITH TIM O’BRIEN

 

Local veteran writers to perform stories about the unspoken sides of service in concert with a visit from the author of, “The Things They Carried.”
 
April 26, 2012 (San Diego) -- As part of Grossmont Community College’s 16th Annual Literary Arts Festival, Tim O’Brien will be reading and signing books on Thursday, May 03, 2:00 - 3:15 p.m., Griffin Gate (Building 60.)
 
O’Brien is best known for his novel, The Things They Carried, a National Book Award Winner and Pulitzer Prize Finalist, considered one of the most, if not the most, powerful books about the Vietnam War and war in general.

 

URBAN FARMING IS FOCUS OF SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL APRIL 28

 

 
 
April 15, 2012 (El Cajon) Join the Water Conservation Garden, the Heritage of the Americas Museum and the Ornamental Horticulture Department at Cuyamaca College on Saturday, April 28 from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m. as they present the 19th annual Spring Garden Festival.  This year’s theme is “Urban Farming” and will include experts on raising urban chickens, beekeeping and vegetable gardening. 
 
 

BICYCLISTS PROTEST OUTSIDE CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CALL FOR IMPROVED SAFETY FOR RIDERS

 
By Nadin Abbott
 
April 26, 2012 (San Diego)--Bicyclists rode to the San Diego Civic Center Concourse to try to raise awareness among San Diegans of the perils facing riders. They came to pay tribute to Charles Raymond Gilbreth, a 63 year old man killed on Montezuma Road near San Diego State University last Wednesday. 

GROSSMONT COLLEGE SHOWS MOVIE MAY 3 PROMOTING HOMEWORK-FREE WEEKENDS, HOLIDAYS

 

April 26, 2012 (El Cajon)--A free screening of “Race to Nowhere, The Dark Side of America’s Achievement Culture,” a documentary movie that promotes homework-free weekends and holiday breaks for students, will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, in Building 26, Room #220, on the Grossmont College campus.

 

MEMORIES ARE MADE AT SUMMER CAMPS FOR LA MESA KIDS

 

April 26, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Do you have a budding artist or a child who loves to act?  What about your sports enthusiast or a youngster who loves to work with wood and tools?  La Mesa Community Services is offering these 12 “memories-to-be-made” camps that will put a smile on any child’s face ages four years and up:  

 

FORMER EAST COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES HONORED AT CSUSM

 

Male Student-Athlete of the Year and co-Female Student-Athletes of the Year come from East County San Diego
By Ryan Schuler

April 27, 2012 (San Diego) -- It was an exciting night for several Cal State San Marcos student-athletes, who attended high school in East County San Diego.

 

MAY 3 GOLF TOURNAMENT TO FUND BRIAN PICCOLO SCHOLARSHIP AWARD FOR SAN DIEGO HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS

April 25, 2012 (Santee) – UNICO San Diego will host its annual charity golf tournament to raise funds for the Brian Piccolo scholarship award on May 3 at Carlton Oaks Country Club, 9200 Inwood Drive, Santee.  The tournament culminates with the presentation of the award to various San Diego High School seniors during June.   

MEXICAN SEWAGE SPILL IMPACTS LOCAL WATER QUALITY

 
Existing Water Contact Closure for Border Field Park and Tijuana Sloughs to Remain                         
     
April 25, 2012 (Tijuana, Mexico) -- An estimated 2 million gallon sewage spill occurred yesterday in Mexico. The spill, which was caused by a broken sewer line in Rio Alamar drainage, started 12:00 PM and ended at 12:00 AM midnight yesterday. None of the sewage was recovered so all of it flowed into the Tijuana River. 

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 
 
April 25, 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:  
 
 
 
 
LOCAL
  • Grossmont District deals with layoffs for 2012-13 (UT San Diego)
  • Fundraiser for missing hiker search efforts (CBS 8 News)
  • DeMaio and Fletcher heat up mayoral debate (UT SanDiego)
  • Heated exchange highlights SD Mayoral debate (10 News)
  • City attorney threatens to squeeze legal fees out of civic watchdog (CityBeat)
  • Controversy, dispute envelop Palomar College construction site at Indian burial ground (OB Rag)
  • Group launches effort to recall Sweetwater school trustees (UT San Diego)
  • SDG&E avoids shutdown of Powerlink helicopters (UT San Diego)
  • Getting to the bottom of city issues (La Mesa Today) 
  • El Cajon Nixes Chickens (UT San Diego)
  • Council refuses to sign PBID petition (La Mesa Today)
 
STATE
  • Measure to repeal death penalty in CA qualifies for ballot (Sacramento Bee)
  • Social media password bill advances in state Senate (Sacramento Bee)
  • Steinberg to push California for initiative changes (Sacramento Bee) 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY OPERA ARIAS MAY 2

 

April 25, 2012, San Diego) --The San Diego State University School of Music and Dance continues the celebration of its 75th Anniversary with two free performances of “Opera Arias” on Wednesday, May 2, at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. in Smith Recital Hall.  The noon program will be an operatic sampler of the full-length evening program. 

 

GROSSMONT COLLEGE THEATRE ARTS DEPT. PRESENTS `LOST IN YONKERS,’ MAY 3-12

 
April 25, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present “Lost in Yonkers,” a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning play by Neil Simon, at 7:30 p.m. on May 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and at 2 p.m. on May 5 and 12. Performances will be held at the Stagehouse Theatre, located on campus, near Parking Lot #1 and the exterior Aztec wall mural. The public is invited to attend.

 

CREEK TO BAY CLEANUP DAY APRIL 28

 
By Nadin Abbott
 
April 25, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- The City of San Diego passed a resolution today declaring April 28th Creek to Bay cleanup day.  According to Council Member Sherri Leightner (District One) this “will encourage all residents of the City of San Diego to take care of the environment.” 

EXPERIENCE VINTAGE ALPINE MAY 6

 

April 25, 2012 (Alpine) – Vintage Alpine, a wine experience in the country, will be held on May 6 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Hwy 80, Flinn Springs.  The event began in 1990 and is now one of the larger events of its kind in the county. The event features numerous wineries, offering tastings of 40 plus wines from a variety of appellations. In addition, many fine San Diego restaurants will provide specialty foods for sampling.

 

READERS EDITORIAL: SAN MIGUEL FIRE BOARD PREPARES FOR RESIDENT BACKLASH AS CAL FIRE RFP IS VOTED ON AT TONIGHT’S BOARD MEETING

By Mary Moran

April 25, 2012 (Spring Valley)—Tonight at 6 p.m. the Board of Directors of the San Miguel Consolidated Fire District will vote on a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cal-Fire to operate the fire district, which includes the communities of Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, Jamul, Crest and parts of unincorporated La Mesa and El Cajon

Fired-up San Miguel Fire District residents are urging the fire district to remain independent. Cal Fire is operated by the State of California. Residents have expressed deep concern over the nearly bankrupt State of California operating its fire district with its purported poor quality and lack of modern technology.

SAFE SLEEP ENVIRONMENTS KEY TO PREVENTING MANY INFANT DEATHS, RESEARCHER SAYS

 
April 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)-- Since 1992, the government’s Back-to-Sleep Campaign has encouraged parents to place infants on their backs to sleep. Still, more than 4,500 infants die unexpectedly during sleep each year in the United States. Now, a University of Missouri injury prevention researcher says that safe, separate sleep environments for infants are critical to preventing sudden unexpected infant deaths (SUIDs).

PROGRAM LAUNCHES TO HELP NEW, AT-RISK SAN DIEGO MOMS

April 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- With just one click, hundreds of at-risk, new San Diego moms will be supported this Mother’s Day. Each year, nearly 500,000 women living in poverty give birth to their first child. This Mother’s Day, the public can make an impact in the lives of vulnerable new moms by simply spending a moment online.   The Boppy Company and Nurse-Family Partnership on April 19 launched a Mother’s Day Support Program where the public can help local moms’ in-need by simply visiting www.Boppy.com and clicking on a special “Give Your Support” icon.

NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBIT AT MISSION TRAILS NOW THROUGH MAY 4

April 25, 2012 (San Diego) -- The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation is presenting a solo exhibition by award winning nature photography Scott Streit. This exhibition is on display in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor’s Center Art Gallery, One Father Junipero Sera Trail, San Diego now through May 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

CALIFORNIA COW FOUND WITH MAD COW DISEASE

 
April 24, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – A dairy cow carcass in central California has tested positive for Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), better known as mad cow disease.  Found during a routine random test conducted on a limited number of  animals at rendering plants,  this was the nation’s fourth case of BSE and the first found in the United States since 2006.  

O’DUNN FINE ART: STILL CRAZY OPENING APRIL 27

 

April 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – O’Dunn Fine Art is hosting an opening of Still Crazy: Flowers, Found Objects and Favorite Things on April 27 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the gallery located at 8325 La Mesa Boulevard, La Mesa.  The featured art work is a collection of still life paintings from 20th century to contemporary, European and American.

The still life tableau allows the painter to select objects of particular esthetic appeal or personal significance, and to control composition and lighting.The best still life paintings bring visual respite and shared human experience. Featured artists include Ray Vinella, Gregg Kreutz and Brenda Morrison, among others.

This is a hosted event.  For more information contact the gallery at 619-337-8342.

READER’S EDITORIAL: A LITANY OF EL CAJON CITY COUNCIL’S ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST ITS CONSTITUENTS-VOTE “NO” ON PROP D CHARTER CITY INITIATIVE!

 
By Bonnie B. Price, PhD, and John Martes
 
April 24, 2012 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon is a city of 99,478, with 37,157 registered voters (4/6/12 SDROV).  Democrats number 12,453, Republicans 14,416, and No Party Preference (NPP) 8,294.  El Cajon is the poorest city in the county, with 30% of its population living at or below the poverty line.  It is a multi-ethnic, multicultural city having this composition: 57% white, 28% Hispanic, 4% Asian & Pacific Islander, 6% Black, and 5% other.  El Cajon’s population is 51% female and 49% male.  (All population data are from the 2010 Census available at SANDAG.org.)

EAT YOUR FILL AT RAMONA'S 7TH ANNUAL RIB FEST FUNDRAISER

 
April 24, 2012 (Ramona) -- "If you like ribs, then you'll love Ramona Community Center's 7th Annual Rib Fest!" organizers promise. Dinner will be served Saturday, June 2, from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Ramona Outdoor Community Center Pavilion, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona.

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