By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2013 (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown today signed into law Assembly Bill 10, a measure that will raise California’s minimum wage from $8 an hour to $9  starting July 1, 2014 and to $10 an hour on January 1, 2016.

 “The minimum wage has not kept pace with rising costs,” said Governor Brown. “This legislation is overdue and will help families that are struggling in this harsh economy.”

AB 10 was opposed by the California Chamber of Commerce. The group’s website states that the bill will “will continue to increase costs on employers of all sizes, regardless of other economic factors or costs that California employers are struggling with to sustain their business.”

By Nadin Abbott

September 25, 2013 (San Diego)--In a potentially race-changing move, the San Diego County Democratic Party last night voted to endorse Councilmember David Alvarez for San Diego Mayor.

This means two things for the young Councilmember.  The party will now work for him and no other candidate, including walking precincts, phone banking and any mailings to party members.

On the eve of the Democratic Central Committee meeting, Alvarez released this video to tell his story.  Raised in Barrio Logan, he has pledged to support social, economic and environmental justice. A former social worker and political activist, he is married with a young child and a second on the way.

The Pacific Southwest Association of REALTORS® (PSAR), a trade group for San Diego-area realtors who serve East County and South County communities, will host a class for realtors on real estate title, title insurance and social media from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the PSAR East County Service Center, 1150 Broadway, El Cajon.

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – A spending bill passed by the House has drawn fire over its efforts to eliminate funds for healthcare reforms. But a less well publicized clause could also pose risks to human health by banning federal courts from stopping sale of genetically modified seeds, preventinglawsuits even if their products cause harmful health effects or harm small farmers, such as by contaminating organic foods.  

The law has been dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” by consumer groups and a petition has been launched asking the Senate to eliminate the special interest language protecting the biotech industry at the expense of consumers and small farmers.

By Paul Kruze

It has been said that the opera isn’t over until the fat lady sings.  Those who had hoped El Cajon’s East County Performing Arts Center would be open by December may have a bit more waiting to do until the proverbial fat lady sings.

While El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick had set a target date of December 1, 2013 for the much anticipated reopening of the theater which has been shuttered for nearly three years, it may be at least another year until the curtain opens and the stage lights come on.

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2013 (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 1371, which requires drivers of motor vehicles to allow at least three feet when passing a bicycle on a highway traveling in the same direction, under most circumstances.

An exception is made if a driver is unable to allow three feet due to traffic or roadway conditions, such as a very narrow road, bad weather, poor visibility, or road surface conditions.   In such cases, the driver must slow down to a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the bicyclist.

September 23, 2013 (Poway) – The Tournament of the Phoenix returns to the Poway Rodeo Grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway on October 18.  Knights in shining armor astride gorgeously caparisoned chargers, the crack of shattered lances, the flash of swords, live music and food will fill the weekend.

September 23, 2013 (Descanso) – The 23^rd Annual Mountain Bike Benefit Ride is October 6 beginning at 8 a.m. at Los Vaqueros Group Camp at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Hwy 79.  The event is a fundraiser for the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association which assists the State Park with trail building, maintenance and interpretive projects to benefit the public.

By David Ross

(originally published September 6, 2013 at the Valley Center Press).

While being clueless isn’t a prerequisite for earning an MBA, it’s a good start.

I had my introduction to the global economy during the first week in December of 2012 when a new owner purchased The Roadrunner after it had been owned and operated by Dale & Shirley Good for nearly 20 years. Before that it had been owned by a consortium of five owners after being founded in 1974 by Van Quackenbush, who brought me on board in 1984. I edited the publication for about 27 years.

The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China, by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson, III (The Stevenson Family, 2009, 299 pages).              

Book Review by Dennis Moore            

  “Once a man holds public office he is absolutely no good for honest work.” --Will Rogers

September 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-- The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China  is a guide-- a road map for future politicians authored by Adlai E. Stevenson III.  He  laments changes in the electoral process and the loss of civility in politics, also speaking of opportunities in politics being limited by money and a media which restricts comments to one or two minutes while focusing on the game, the trivial and the sensational.

The book began as a brown loose-leaf binder in which the author ‘s great-grandfather, Adlai E. Stevenson  (1835-1914), collected anecdotes and maxims, stories and sayings during his life as a county prosecutor, congressman, assistant postmaster general and U.S. vice president under Grover Cleveland. His grandson, known to friends and family as “the Guv,” expanded the collection in a large black binder during his life as an official in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.  

  By Ariele Johannson

September 21, 2013 (Lemon Grove) The City of Lemon Grove and Lemon Grove Historical Society invites the public to a Grand Opening Party on the Main Street Promenade on Friday evening, Sept. 27  from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This hometown event celebrates the completion of the Pioneer Modernism Park at the Main Street Promenade and the welcomes Lemon Grove’s newest neighbors from Citronica One, the brand new colorful and modernistic residential and business structure recently completed near Highway 94 and the Lemon Grove Trolley Station.

“Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” is the name chosen for the Pioneer Modernism Park, as it evokes Lemon Grove’s history. Visitors can view the new wonderful installations at the park, such as the wind spire, tractor slide, mosaics, charming seats, and windmill. Visitors are encouraged to bring the children, friends and colleagues to enjoy dancers, singers, jugglers, and magicians; to play in contests of hula hoop, jump rope, bubble blowing and whistling; and to enjoy free cookies and lemonade, and much more.

September 19, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Four children and two adults are staying with family members temporarily after an attic fire damaged their two-story home at 930 Prescott Avenue in El Cajon this afternoon. 

Quick action by fire crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon and La Mesa, along with firefighters from Cal Fire, kept the fire from reaching neighboring homes.  Heartland Fire reports the fire was knocked down in less than 20 minutes.   The damage was mostly to the attic and roof area.

September 19,2013 (Alpine)—Friday the 13th proved lucky at Viejas Casino & Resort, where three  Guinness world records were set on September 13 th in celebration of the casino’s 22nd anniversary.

“It’s a challenge, a difficult,” Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Philip Roberts said after Viejas employees and guests teamed up to open 639 bottles of wine simultaneously.  This broke the old record set in Las Vegas of 474. 

Those gathered went to set another world record for most people giving high fives in one place:  684.  The former record (405) was held by the United Arab Emirates, Roberts announced as the crowd cheered.

September 19, 2013 (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

• Clean energy projects ‘harm’ environment in U.S. (Al Jazeera - includes focus on local projects)
• San Diegans raising money to help Mexico flood victims (10 News)
• Filner gave raises on way out (U-T San Diego)
• How Donna Frye, Marco Gonzalez and Cory Briggs ended Bob Filner’s political career - For the first time, the trio of progressives talk in detail about why they did what they did (CityBeat)
• County responds to winery complaints (Ramona Sentinel)
• SANDAG: Releasing data could be deadly (U-T San Diego)
• Making A Difference In The Lives Of San Diego's Fatherless Teens (KPBS)
• Bo-beau La Mesa gets a head chef (La Mesa Today)
• Helix Water mulls over future of Lake Jennings (U-T San Diego)

STATE

• Water Unaffordable To Some In San Joaquin Valley (KPBS)
•  Calif. utility agrees to $1.8M wildfire settlement (Sacramento Bee)
• Bill Would Give Law Licenses To Undocumented Immigrants (KPBS)

Click "read more" and scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.