Febuary 2012 Articles

LA MESA TO HOST YOUTH ADVISORY MEETING ON TEEN SUMMIT FEB. 25

February 24, 2012 (La Mesa)—A special meeting of the La Mesa Youth Advsory Commission will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, February 25 at Nan Couts Cottage, 5045 Memorial Drive, La Mesa.  The agenda will consider a Teen Summit  with La Mesa teens to discuss issues of concern, plus desires for community programs and services for teens.


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TWO DAYS OF SOAP BOX DERBY RALLY RACES SET FOR MARCH 4 & 5

February 24,2012 (La Mesa) -- Youngsters from throughout Southern California and Arizona will compete for trophies and points during two days of Soap Box Derby Rally Races on Saturday, March 4 and Sunday March 5 in La Mesa. The Drew Ford/Kiwanis Club of La Mesa Derby Races provide valuable experience for the 7-17-year old race car drivers as two-by-two they roll down the sloping race course on Junior High Drive next to La Mesa Middle School, achieving speeds up to 24 mph. 


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EL CAJON PACIFIC WESTERN BANK ROBBED: FBI BELIEVES SUSPECT IS “INSISTENT BANDIT” WANTED FOR 5 HEISTS

 

February 24, 2012 (El Cajon)-- The Pacific Western Bank at 368 Broadway was robbed on February 21at 12:49 p.m. The FBI and local law enforcement  believe he is the “Insistent Bandit” believed responsible for five bank robberies dating back to January 17, 2012.  Public help is sought to identity the suspect.
 
The robber approached a teller and stated, “This is a robbery.” He then lifted his shirt and showed the teller a handgun tucked under his waistband. The teller placed an unspecified amount of cash inside of the plastic grocery bag that he handed to her.  

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CPUC WILL HOLD HEARING IN SAN DIEGO APRIL 5 ON SDG&E REQUEST TO CHARGE RATEPAYERS FOR WILDFIRE COSTS

February 24, 2012 (San Diego)—San Diego County residents will finally have a chance to tell the California Public Utilities Commission what they think about San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposal to charge ratepayers $463.9 million for the utility’s uninsured losses due to the 2007 wildfires caused by its poorly maintained power lines.

Commissioner Timothy Alan Simon will hold a public participation hearing on April 5 from 4-9 p.m. at the Al Bar Shriner Auditorium , 4330 Kearny Mesa Road in San Diego.

The announcement follows a February 21, 2012 “Turko Files” KUSI TV investigative report which revealed over a dozen private meetings in which SDG&E executives wined and dined CPUC Commissioner Simon,  who is acting as a judge on this matter:  http://www.kusi.com/story/16988213/almost-anything-goes.


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TAKING SAN DIEGO OFF-GRID: FILNER SHARES PLANS FOR REGIONAL ENERGY INDEPENDENCE AND ULTIMATELY, UTILITY SERVICE OWNED BY THE PEOPLE

 

February 24, 2012 (San Diego) -- What if San Diego produced its own electricity with solar on rooftops and parking garage covers?  Imagine if San Diego became its own utility provider—instead of SDG&E.  

That’s exactly what Congressman and mayoral candidate Bob Filner proposed in a brainstorming session with top regional experts at part I of “Forging a Sustainable Future.”  (Part II takes place March 3-4 at San Diego State University. Filner will be among those speaking.)

The implications of his proposals are staggering.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: PROTECT IN-HOME CARE FOR THE DISABLED

 
By Pam K. Hoye 
 
Editor's note:  Pam is a friend of mine who is confined to a wheelchair with a degenerative medical condition. She has long been an inspiration to me--a talented writer who uses a pen held in her mouth to compose her works, including this impassioned plea below for the public to sign a petition asking the Legislature to let disabled people like Pam keep their in-home caregivers.
 

February 24, 2012 (San Diego) -- This petition http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/Keep-IHSS-out-of-Managed-Care/ is calling for an IHSS "carve-out", to keep the present IHSS program (which enables me to hire my own caregivers/assistants) as an option apart from total inclusion within  a new managed care mandate.


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ON THE SILVER SCREEN: "CHICO" AND THE WOMAN


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

 

February 23, 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
  • Community meeting discussing Quail Brush Power Plant Feb. 28 (Santee Patch)
  • Grossmont expands school enrollment choices for some (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • San Diego Gas & Electric wants you to pay for its negligence (San Diego Reader)
  • Nature reclaims local cold war relic (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Hunter introduces bill to name Ramona Post Office after Mac McWilliams (Ramona Patch)
  • Helix claims Hills League title with tiebreaking victory over Grossmont (La Mesa Patch)
  • Veterans recover from war wounds on the farm (MSNBC)
  • SDPD Oversight Board Faces Favoritism Accusations
     
STATE
  • Prop 8 backers seek review of gay marriage case (Sacramento Bee)
  • Jerry Brown:  California to reopen trade offices in China (Sacramento Bee)
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. 

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GUNFIRE IN LEMON GROVE

February 23, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – Six bullet casings have been recovered following reports of gunshots heard around 6:13 p.m. in the 800 block of Grand Avenue in Lemon Grove tonight.


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GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT KEEPS BOUNDARY CHANGES, BUT OFFERS OPEN ENROLLMENT COMPROMISE

 By Serena Scaglione

February 23, 2012 (El Cajon)--More than 150 parents, students and members of East County communities attended last week’s special board meeting at West Hills High School to stand for or against the Board’s decision last November to change the district’s boundaries.

Despite numerous pleas to the Board to rescind the boundary changes, the Board voted four to one to keep the new boundaries in place, with trustee Priscilla Schreiber casting the only "no" vote.


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ONE-THIRD OF CA STUDENTS ATTEND SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN FINANCIAL JEOPARDY: 6 LOCAL DISTRICTS AT RISK--3 IN EAST COUNTY

Grossmont, Borrego and Ramona districts may fail to meet financial obligations

February 23, 2012 (Sacramento)—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson warned today that the latest review of school district budgets shows that one-third of public school students in California attend a district in financial jeopardy. That includes seven districts in San Diego County—three of them in East County. 


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SAN DIEGO STATE WOMEN’S LACROSSE HAS UPS AND DOWNS IN FIRST-EVER WEEKEND OF HOME GAMES

 Aztecs beat Cincinnati, but lose to UC Davis

By Ryan Schuler
 
February 23, 2012 (San Diego)--Friday, February 17, 2012 served as a very important day for the San Diego State women’s lacrosse program. Not only did the Aztecs host their first home game in program history, but they also scored their first win ever. This is their first season at the Division I level.  

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DOLLAR-WISE DIVA: SAVE MONEY ON A GREAT “GREEN” EVENT: ROBERT F. KENNEDY KEYNOTES SUSTAINABILITY CONFERENCE MARCH 3-4 AT SDSU

By Nancy Clement

 
“A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”  Margaret Mead
 
 
February 23, 2012 (La Mesa) - Did you know The United States ranks only 50th out of 151 countries of the world in sustainability,  according to http://www.ssfindex.com/results-2010/ranking-all-countries/
 

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STAR PARTY TO SHINE AT MISISON TRAILS FEB. 25

February 23, 2012 (San Diego) –Stargazer and trail guide George Varga will lead a stargazing party at Mission Trails Regional Park on February 25 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.

Participants at the event, four days after the New Moon, can expect to view deep sky objects such as the Orion Nebula, the Crab Nebula in Taurus and much more. The Crab Nebula (photo, left) is the result of a supernova that occurred in 1054 AD and was recorded by Chinese observers.


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BURNING ISSUE: SAN MIGUEL MAY OUTSOURCE FIRE SERVICES

By Miriam Raftery

February 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Facing a $1.3 million budget deficit, San Miguel Fire District has announced it will accept request for proposals (RFPs) to potentially outsource services including firefighting and fire prevention—core operations for the beleaguered district.


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STEPHEN STRASBURG HAS JERSEY RETIRED BY SAN DIEGO STATE

West Hills High School Alum Was No. 1 Overall Pick in 2009 Major League Baseball Draft 
 
By Ryan Schuler 
 
February 23, 2012 (San Diego) -- On Feb. 17, the San Diego State University baseball team began its 2012 season at Tony Gwynn Stadium on the campus of SDSU against the University of Washington. With the start of the highly anticipated season came a special honor. SDSU made it known that no member of the baseball program will ever wear the No. 37 again.
 
That was the number of former Aztec great and current Washington Nationals pitcher Stephen Strasburg. That number is now retired.

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TWO BICYCLE-RELATED RECALLS ANNOUNCED

 

February 23, 2012 (Bethesda, MD) -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls of Fuji women's cruiser bicycles and Shimano Pro Atherton mountain bike handlebar stems, both due to fall hazards. For more information, visit:

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READER’S EDITORIAL: THE REPUBLICAN POLITICAL AGENDA 2012 ASSAULTS WOMEN'S RIGHTS

 

By Bonnie Burns Price; research assistance by Olive Ball

“Are Republicans engaged in a war on women, with women’s rights, needs, and hopes just the collateral damage of their war?” -- Bonnie Burns Price

February 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The 2012 Republican presidential contest is one of the most intriguing events on the national political stage.  Many debates have allowed the nation to consider candidate positions on subjects as diverse as the Great Recession, the war in Afghanistan, a nuclear Iran, sustainability of Social Security and Medicare, tax fairness, contraception and abortion.


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CITY OF SANTEE COMMITTEE OPENINGS

 

February 23, 2012 (Santee)--The City of Santee invites residents to serve the community and welcomes your application to any of the City's Boards, Commissions and Committees. There is currently a  vacancy on the Manufactured Home Fair Practices Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to ensure that the provisions of the Santee Manufactured Home Fair Practices Ordinance are appropriately implemented in Santee.

 


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THE WILL POWER REPORT: EXTREME EATING ON TV

Nothing but the truth!
by Will Power
 
February 23, 2012 (San Diego)--I enjoy a few cooking shows. But I dislike the ones where some poor fools have to cook a standing rib roast on a car exhaust manifold.  Cooking should be an art, not a competitive sport.

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SILENCE IS WORSE THAN VIOLENCE - YOUTH TOWN HALL MEETING MARCH 2

 

 

February 23, 2012 (San Diego) – On Friday, March 2, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. there will be a Youth Town Hall meeting with the theme of Silence is Worse than Violence held at Joe and Vi Jacobs Center, Celebration Hall, 404 Euclid Avenue in San Diego.  It will provide a safe place to address the challenges youth face, and to come together to create solutions that strengthen youth voice, leadership and community engagement.

 


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SCAM ALERT: BURGLARS POSE AS UTILITY WORKER, CITY INSPECTOR TO ROB LA MESA RESIDENTS

February 23, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa Police warn that scam artists posing as an SDG&E utility worker and as city inspector have lured residents out of their homes while an accomplice burglarized at least two residences.


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FACT CHECK SHINES LIGHT ON 52ND CONGRESSIONAL DEBATE CLAIMS

 

By Nadin Abbott

February 23, 2012 (San Diego)--Four candidates running for the redrawn 52nd Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Brian Bilbray met Tuesday for a lively debate during a luncheon sponsored by the Conservative Order of Good Government Club in Rancho Bernardo. Participants included incumbent Brian Bilbray, Republican challenger John K. Stahl (a veteran and businessman), and two Democrats: former Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña and former City Council president Scott Peters.

Issues discussed ranged from job creation to immigration to working across the aisle with the other party, as well as energy policy. While candidates clashed on views, an ECM fact-check on claims by all candidates reveals mostly—but not entirely—truthful statements.


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“CHANCE” IMPROVES, HAS SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE AFTER SURGERY FOR GUNSHOT WOUND

$3,000 reward offered for information leading to arrest of shooter

February 23, 2012 (Alpine) – A dog found shot and abandoned in Alpine is improving after surgery, ECM news partner 10 News reports. Named “Chance” by veterinary staff, the golden retriever mix is no longer on oxygen or an IV; Chance is eating and drinking on his own and may soon be available for adoption.


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SHOULD YOUR EMPLOYER DECIDE WHAT HEALTHCARE YOU RECEIVE? AMENDMENT TARGETING WOMEN’S HEALTH WOULD IMPACT MEN , TOO

Proposed “Blunt Amendment” would let employers deny coverage for  blood transfusions, birth control, AIDS or cancer treatments, and more

 Rep. Issa (R-San Diego) draws heat for restricting testimony to men only at hearing on women’s health

By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – Disguised as an amendment to limit options for women’s health, the “Blunt Amendment” (S. 1467) introduced byU.S. Senator Roy Blunt and supported by  conservatives in Congress goes much farther.

It would allow employers to design their own healthcare plans under the Affordable Care Act and   to exclude any “specific items or services” that are “contrary to the religious beliefs or moral convictions of the sponsor, issuer, or other entity offering the plan.” 


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 

February 23, 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.

General news

  • Supreme Court takes up affirmative action case (ABC  News)
  • Post Office closings isolate small towns and poor (MSNBC)
  • Obama to float corporate tax overhaul (Reuters)
Presidential Election
  • 25 percent of Super PAC money comes from 5 rich donors (USA Today)
  • Super PAC donors revealed: Who are the  power players in the GOP primary? (Washington Post)
  • Is Santorum too extreme for the middle? (Los Angeles Times)
  • Mitt Romney says spending cuts hurt economic growth (Huffington Post)
  • A Republican platform for American women: barefoot and pregnant? (Seattle Post Intelligencer)
WORLD
  • U.N. nuclear inspectors barred from Iran site (Reuters)
  • Obama administration opens door to aid for Syrian rebels (Fox News)
HEALTH
  • FDA to ease critical cancer drug shortage (CBS News)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. 

 


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THE CREMERS COME HOME TO LEMON GROVE’S H. LEE HOUSE MARCH 1

 

February 22, 2012 (Lemon Grove) -- The fabulous Cremer Family that lived in Lemon Grove's famous H. Lee House for half a century will return to the scene of their saga on Mar. 1 at 7 p.m. on the next "History Alive" lecture sponsored by the Lemon Grove Historical Society.

 


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ALPINE SHERIFF’S STATION HOSTS TOWN HALL MEETING MARCH 1

 
February 22, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Sheriff's Station is hosting an evening with Lieutenant Jose Sanchez and Alpine Sheriff's Detective Rich Bolter on Thursday, March 1 at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd.

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MARCH PROGRAMS FOR SENIORS ANNOUNCED BY SHARP GROSSMONT

 
February 22, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The Senior Resource Center at Sharp Grossmont Hospital offers free or low-cost educational programs and health screenings each month. The Senior Resource Center also provides information and assistance for health information and community resources. For more information, call 619-740-4214. For other programs, call 1-800-827-4277 or visit our web site at www.sharp.com.

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AZTECS NO MATCH FOR LOBOS

 

University of New Mexico Now In Sole Possession of First Place in Mountain West Conference
 
By Ryan Schuler
 
February 22, 2012 (San Diego)--This was as close to winner-take-all game as a regular season game gets, except this winner became leader of the Mountain West Conference and controlled their destiny of winning the regular season title.
 
The script was written. After losing to No. 14/16 UNLV, No. 13/15 SDSU (20-5, 6-3 MWC) was back at home on February 15 in the friendly confines of Viejas Arena. They were facing a team they had beaten earlier on the road. They had not lost back-to-back games since January 2010.

 


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