By Sam Warren,SDWriteWay@gmail.com

"Experience enables you to recognize a mistake when you make it again." — Franklin P. Jones

SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – A new citizens’ group, Your Voice Has Power, has been formed to oppose the continuing release of sexually violent predators into East County communities. The group will meet on Thursday, March 21 at 4 p.m. at Tio Lio’s, 5302 Napa St. in San Diego. Organizers are calling for a public forum and encourage community leaders, impacted citizens and survivors of sexually violent predators to attend and speak out.  The group also urges the public to attend two hearings next week on the proposed release of two sexually violent predators into Jacumba Hot Springs.

By William T. Everett, Board Member, Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District

March 14, 2019 (Julian) -- Union Vice-President Patrick Walker believes that the Julian Cuyamaca "volunteer fire station is inefficient and unable to provide adequate fire and life safety services in comparison to full time." He goes on to tout his experience and career as the reason he is credible. Yet, numerous Fire Chiefs and career firefighters throughout California, with far more experience than Walker, strongly disagree with his conclusion. What is the difference between Walker and the others? It is simple. Walker works for the Cal-Fire union and his primary responsibility is to promote the union and help create more union jobs. 

It appears that Walker's primary argument in favor of dissolving the Julian Cuyamaca Fire Protection District is his claim that full-time firefighters are better for the community than part-time (i.e., volunteers). What Mr. Walker either doesn't know or doesn't want the public to know is that the Julian fire station is now staffed full-time with 60  firefighters (volunteers) that are as highly trained and qualified as any "professional" firefighters in the United States.

In honor of Pi Day, SDG&E announces donation to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classroom projects

Source:  SDG&E

March 14, 2019 (San Diego) - In honor of Pi Day and in support of local teachers, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is launching a $314,159 matching grant program to enable K-12 public schools in the region to provide more classroom learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

March 13, 2019 (Hooleys) -- Several St. Patrick’s Day activities are planned in La Mesa this weekend. Hooley’s Public House is celebrating 20 years in East County with the return of Hooleyfest on Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17 at Hooley’s Grossmont Center location. The hours Saturday are 5 p.m. to midnight and Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Ticket are available in advance at Hooleys or at the door.

On Sunday morning from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. on March 17th, Grossmont Center kicks off a St. Patrick’s Day Family Fun Run, followed by a kids’ concert from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2019 (Washington D.C.) – In direct contradiction to his campaign trail promises not to cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, President Donald Trump has proposed a budget that would deeply slash all of these programs—programs which help the elderly, the poor and the disabled.

“I was the first & only potential GOP candidate to state there will be no cuts to Social Security, Medicare & Medicaid,” Trump tweeted on May 7, 2015, adding, “Huckabee copied me.”  He repeated that pledge in media interviews and at rallies.

His proposed new budget, however, would cut trillions of dollars from Medicaid and Medicare. Social Security would also be slashed by $25 million over the next 10 years, including whacking $10 billion from the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for people who are unable work.

The administration claims it will make up for these deep cuts in Social Security,Medicare and Medicaid programs by finding waste, fraud and abuse. But if not enough waste, fraud or abuse is found--and there have been years of efforts to do--benefits to recipients could be reduced reduced and some poor, disabled and elderly Americans might be denied medical or disability coverage completely.

By Jennifer Doucet

Photos courtesy of Steele Canyon Players

March 13, 2019 (Spring Valley) -- London stage actor, Dean Chisnall, visited Steele Canyon Charter High School March 7 through March 9 to help prepare the school’s theatre and music departments for their own production of the award-winning hit, Les Misérables, premiering March 20th.  Over two and a half days, Chisnall worked closely with SCHS Theatre Director, Nicole LaBella and Music Director, Heather Luck to coach the cast, crew and orchestra.

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2019 (Borrego Springs) – This year’s super bloom season has brought an added bonus.  “Butterflies are gracing us with even more color,” says photographer Bob Kutscher, who snapped this image south of Clark Lake in the Anza-Borrego desert.  Swarms of the Painted Lady butterflies on their migratory path from Mexico are being reported across Southern California.

March 13, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) --- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• FAA grounds all Boeing 737 Max planes effective immediately (CBS New)
• Trump said he wouldn’t cut Medicaid, Social Security, and Medicare. His 2020 budget cuts all 3. (VOX)
• Trump budget proposes huge cuts to health programs for elderly, poor and disabled (Washington Post)
• House Democrats introduce bill to offer 2.5 million immigrants chance at permanent status (Vox)
• In another blow to Trump, judge rules in favor of ACLU in family separations case (Washington Post)
• Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin among dozens indicted in largest-ever case alleging bribery to get kids into colleges (USA Today)
• Jussie Smollett indicted on 16 counts over allegedly phony claims of racist, homophobic attack (Chicago Tribune)

WORLD

• Hundreds surrender as Islamic State nears defeat in last enclave  (Reuters)
• Russia laws ban 'disrespect' of government and 'fake news' (BBC News)
• UN investigating suspected North Korean arms dealers in Iran (NBC News)
• Desperate Venezuelans swarm sewage drains in search of water (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2019 (Spring Valley) – Area residents packed into Butler’s Coffee Shop in Spring Valley this morning to share concerns over alleged drug houses, homeless camps, traffic concerns and more.  Interim Sheriff’s Station Captain Charles Cinnamo was on hand to answer questions, along with California Highway Patrol Commander Jason Penner and District Attorney community partnership prosecutor Monique Myers, who handles the East County region.

Source:  RFFC

March 13, 2019 (San Diego) -- The Resource Conservation Districts (RCDs) of Greater San Diego County (RCDGSDC) and Inland Empire (IERCD) were each awarded $1.5 million by the California Natural Resources Agency and the Department of Conservation to improve forest health and increase fire resiliency throughout key segments of San Diego, Riverside, and San Bernardino Counties.