April 9, 2012 (Anz-Borrego Desert) -- Daren Sefcik snapped these beautiful blooms this week in the Anza Borrego Desert State Park, where the desert is ablaze in color.
Fundraiser to Support SDPOA Widows and Orphans Fund
April 9, 2012 (San Diego) – After the tragic shooting and death of SDPD Officer Jeremy Henwood, it was discovered that his last stop was the McDonald’s located at 3879 Fairmont Ave., where he bought cookies for a young boy.In honor of the life of Officer Henwood, the SDPOA is partnering with Phil Palumbo, the owner and operator of that McDonald’s to raise funds for the SDPOA Widows and Orphans Fund.A portion of the proceeds from purchases made between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on April 11 will benefit the fund.
April 8, 2012 (San Diego)--Long before the time of man, all animals used to talk. And they talked with each other, not just squirrels to squirrels and lions to lions. In fact, the animals did a lot of bitching and moaning behind each other’s back, which started all the trouble, as it usually does.
April 8, 2012 (Palomar) – It seems fitting that on Easter Sunday, we got word of a modern-day resurrection.
Rick Barclay chairs a foundation that’s been striving to save Palomar State Park from permanent closure in July, drawing help from many of our readers to fill the budget gap.Today, he sent East County Magazine the following message of hope:
April 8, 2012 (San Diego) -- Each Spring and Summer when local wildlife nest and birth their young, Project Wildlife receives and cares for thousands of sick, injured and orphaned wildlife countywide until they are ready for release.
Come experience the wildlife “baby season” at the organization’s third annual Wildlife Baby Shower. The event will be held on Saturday, April 14 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Project Wildlife’s Triage Center, 887 ½ Sherman St., San Diego 92110.
April 8, 2012 -- La Mesa David’s Bridal & Friar Tux Preferred Wedding Planner, Charisma Events & Consulting (CEC) hosts its first annual Beauty in the Bride wedding expo. The goal is to provide an intimate, elegant experience for the brides and grooms, as well as provide all exhibitors maximum exposure by having only one wedding vendor per category. This is in the effort to relieve stress and pressure that most couples feel after leaving a wedding expo.
April 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – The San Diego County Library El Cajon branch, 201 E. Douglas Avenue, is hosting their Annual Multicultural Family Fiesta on April 14 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Festivities include entertainment, refreshments, crafts, a K-9 dog demo, fire engine tours, free children’s books and author visit, magicians and a variety of dance groups.
Outraged? Scroll down to learn how to take action.
By Miriam Raftery
April 8, 2012 (San Diego) Updated April 10, 2012-- At the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) public meeting this week in San Diego, Administrative Law Judge Maribeth Bushey and CPUC Comissioner Timothy Simon heard from hundreds of area residents, including tearful testimony by numerous victims of the 2007 firestorms.Some held twisted burned remnants of their lost homes. Others recalled friends who perished in the flames.
But the most explosive testimony came from former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, who declared, “This decision is already made.”He then leveled accusations that the two CPUC represenstatives present, Commissioner Timothy Simon and Administrative Law Judge Maribeth Bushey, are beholden to SDG&E and subverted the legal interests of fire victims and ratepayers.
April 8, 2012 -- La Mesa's Flag Day Parade committee is raising funds for this year's annual parade on Saturday, June 2nd. Our financial goal is $15,000 which will offset operational expenses, including transportation costs for school marching bands, public address equipment, and traffic control set up.
April 7, 2012 (San Diego)--On Wednesday, the San Diego County supervisors were asked to receive a report from Jack Miller, Director of San Diego County’s Department of Environmental Health. The report concerns a new county-wide ordinance aimed to reduce the nuisance level of eye gnats produced by two large organic farms in Jacumba and S. Escondido.
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and Granite Hills High School representatives celebrated the completion of the school’s new aquatic center with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27.The 40,000 square foot aquatic complex features the first Olympic-size pool on an East County high school campus and will serve as a center for East County community groups, youth aquatics teams, California Interscholastic Federation water polo and swim teams as well as physical education classes.
April 7, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The starving animals rescued from a Campo ranch by County of San Diego Animal Services last December are now ready to be placed into new homes. The livestock includes 10 sheep, 5 goats, 6 cattle, 11 llamas, and 6 horses. Most of the animals may be viewed at the County Shelter in Bonita at 5821 Sweetwater Road, 91902. Four sheep are being housed at the County Shelter in Carlsbad at 2481 Palomar Airport Road, 92011 and can be viewed there.
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Valhalla Theatre Arts department will be performing the musical “Xanadu” beginning April 18 at 1725 Hillsdale Rd., El Cajon. It’s an 80’s musical fantasy complete with roller skates and disco balls about a time when life was easy and Olivia Newton-John and E.L.O. ruled the world.
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – “Bye Bye Birdie” will be performed by Christian High School’s award winning Drama Department on April 18, 19 and 21 at 389 N. Magnolia, El Cajon. The musical will take its audience on an entertaining trip back to the days of “Rock n Roll”. The story centers on superstar Conrad Birdie prior to being drafted into the Army. Humorous complications ensue when his agent stages a good-bye kiss to the lucky Kim MacAfee on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. Kim’s steady, Hugo Peabody and her overbearing, but lovable father complicate the tale. Musical scores abound with “How Lovely To Be a Woman,” “The Telephone Hour,” “Put On A Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” “One Last Kiss,” and “Kids!”
April 7, 2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Historical Society has opened a new exhibit at its McKinney House Museum at 8369 University Avenue, La Mesa.It’s featuring a new room display showcasing the history of old time toys and games from tiddlywinks to spinning tops, tin windup toys, kaleidoscope, checkers, jacks and many more to illustrate a child’s play time long ago.All of the items come from the collections of the Society and are displayed in a classroom setting with old photos of students from Allison School and La Mesa Grammar School between 1910 and 1929.
By Cindy Miles, Chancellor, Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District
April 7, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- We always encourage our students to ask lots of questions and seek out new information. For the past few months, we in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District have been asking questions about our role in the community, how well we are doing, and what the future holds for us. Some of the answers are starting to come in.
April 7, 2012 (San Diego) -- Robin Gomez has been appointed administrator for Alvarado Hospital Medical Center effective immediately. In this role, she oversees all operations, physician relations and the hospital’s strategic direction. She also will be focused on patient satisfaction, patient safety and key customer service goals.
Proofreader of The Color Purple, President Herbert Hoover's WWII memoir and more to lead workshop
April 7, 2012 (La Mesa) -- Sprinkled with stories and tips (e.g., how to find literary agents), this lecture-workshop is designed to empower and inspire writers. Take a peek at the book business, check out the pros and cons of traditional vs. electronic and self-publishing, then chat about genres such as memoir and children’s literature, and close with some ideas to help writers get published and sell their work.
April 7, 2012 (La Mesa) –The Oversight Board of the La Mesa Successor Agency will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 12 in the La Mesa Police Department Community Room, 8085 University Avenue in La Mesa.
April 6, 2012 (Santee) -- Santee Lakes is getting a facelift on Lakes 1 and 5. The park is replacing three old picnic/gazebo structures and an outdated playground with new up‐to‐date structures. This will give visitors an opportunity to picnic in a beautiful setting and will add much needed shade, especially during the summer months.
Padre Dam’s Board of Directors and the Director of Park and Recreation for Santee Lakes break ground on the construction site for the new three‐tiered gazebo.
Pictured (left to right): Director of Park and Recreation Johnathan Skinner, and Padre Dam Board Directors Jim Peasley, Augie Caires, Bill Pommering, Doug Wilson and Augie Scalzitti.
April 6,2012 (San Diego) –California Highway Patrol has issued a SIG ALERT on I-8 eastbound at College Avenue due to a multi-vehicle pile-up involving six to eight vehicles. Alternate routes are advised for what is expected to be a long-term cleanup.
April 6, 2012 (Santee) -- The Santee Sheriff's Station which oversees the communities of Santee, Lakeside, and unincorporated El Cajon conducted a pre-planned curfew sweep last night. The purpose of this operation was to enforce the curfew laws under the Santee Municipal Code and San Diego County Ordinances due to Wednesday night's tragic death of two juveniles from a vehicle collision that involved Anthony Foreman 18, and Jaylie Campbell 16, a student at Santana High School from the Santee and East County community. These senseless deaths emphasize and re-enforce the need for these types of operations.
Citizens urged to demand transparent and thorough investigation of “urgent safety problems”
April 6, 2012 (San Onofre)--Washington, D.C. and San Clemente, Calif. – The ongoing crisis at the troubled San Onofre nuclear reactors entered a new phase today, as Nuclear Regulatory Commission Chair Gregory Jaczko announced he will visit the plant this Friday, April 6. Concerned organizations and community members reacted by demanding Jaczko announce a new policy of openness and require a full determination of what went wrong.
The two nuclear reactors at San Onofre, operated by Southern California Edison, have been shut down for more than two months following a radiation leak and the discovery of severely damaged equipment. Tubes in all four, new steam generators at both San Onofre reactors showed significant deterioration, which could lead to a serious release of radioactivity in the event of rupture.
April 6, 2012 (El Cajon) – A bipartisan group seeking to save the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) held its first meeting late last month. Others concerned with joining the effort are invited to attend a larger meeting set for Monday, April 9 at 5 p.m. The meeting will be held at the East County Chamber of Commerce office at 201 South Magnolia Street in El Cajon.
April 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Late Wednesday night, two teenagers were killed and three others seriously injured in a high speed rollover crash on eastbound state Route 52 at Convoy Street. The accident was reported at 11:46 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol.
Witnesses told the CHP that a 2001 Volvo S40 and a 1999 VW Passat were racing each other at speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour when the Passat lost control and flipped over. There were five people in the Passat and three in the Volvo, all returning from a bonfire at a beach in La Jolla.
April 5, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--When ENRON schemed to manipulate markets and defraud ratepayers, its executives went to jail.BP faces billions of dolalrs in fines for causing the Gulf Oil spill.When automobile manufacturers sold cars with dangerous defects that killed people, it was their shareholders who paid the price. A lost hunter convicted of accidentally starting the Cedar Fire with a flare gun also spent time in jail.
Why, then, should SDG&E and its publicly traded parent company, Sempra Energy, expect local ratepayers to pay for its uninsured liability costs for the wildfires that it caused, while its executives get off scott free?
April 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Today marks the “International Protest Day Against Wind Power” with 765 websites participating.
A dark side of the wind industry that many media outlets have failed to report on is the thousands of documented cases of serious accidents. These include numerous documented cases of turbines falling over, blades flying off, injuries to workers and the public, and at least 99 reported fatality accidents.
April 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diego State University’s Mentor Program is a win-win situation for students and San Diego businesses. With the participation of approximately 60 business executives from diverse companies, the program allows business seniors and graduate students to gain insight into the industries and positions that interest them, while also allowing businesses to identify students as potential interns and employees.
April 5, 2012 (San Diego) -- San Diegans Richard Lederer and Caroline McCullagh are the proud parents of a bouncing baby book, American Trivia: What We All Should Know About U.S. History, Culture & Geography (Gibbs Smith Publisher, 2012). Over a span of a year, the co-authors will share with you their journey through American history. You can order inscribed and signed copies of the book by writing to richard.lederer@pobox.com.
Fundraiser to Support SDPOA Widows and Orphans Fund
Nothing but the truth!
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) and Granite Hills High School representatives celebrated the completion of the school’s new aquatic center with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 27.
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Valhalla Theatre Arts department will be performing the musical “Xanadu” beginning April 18 at 1725 Hillsdale Rd., El Cajon. It’s an 80’s musical fantasy complete with roller skates and disco balls about a time when life was easy and Olivia Newton-John and E.L.O. ruled the world.
April 7, 2012 (El Cajon) – “Bye Bye Birdie” will be performed by Christian High School’s award winning Drama Department on April 18, 19 and 21 at 389 N. Magnolia, El Cajon. The musical will take its audience on an entertaining trip back to the days of “Rock n Roll”. The story centers on superstar Conrad Birdie prior to being drafted into the Army. Humorous complications ensue when his agent stages a good-bye kiss to the lucky Kim MacAfee on “The Ed Sullivan Show”. Kim’s steady, Hugo Peabody and her overbearing, but lovable father complicate the tale. Musical scores abound with “How Lovely To Be a Woman,” “The Telephone Hour,” “Put On A Happy Face,” “A Lot of Livin’ To Do,” “One Last Kiss,” and “Kids!”
April 7, 2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Historical Society has opened a new exhibit at its McKinney House Museum at 8369 University Avenue, La Mesa.
April 7, 2012 (La Mesa) –The Oversight Board of the La Mesa Successor Agency will hold a special meeting on Thursday, April 12 in the La Mesa Police Department Community Room, 8085 University Avenue in La Mesa. 
April 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Late Wednesday night, two teenagers were killed and three others seriously injured in a high speed rollover crash on eastbound state Route 52 at Convoy Street. The accident was reported at 11:46 p.m., according to California Highway Patrol.
By Miriam Raftery, Editor
![](/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/Mike%20Cully%20and%20Jonathan%20Singer%20at%20the%20SDSU%20Mentor%20Program%20Kick-off%20Breakfast.jpg "(L-R) Mike Cully and Jonathan Singer at the SDSU Mentor Program "Kick-off Breakfast"")
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