Two teens find fashion makeovers to be an unforgettable experience

By Sierra Robinson

ECM editor Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

September 19, 2012 (La Mesa) – From an early age, Kim Romano developed a passion for fashion—and a keen eye for detail. At age five, she liked to sketch paper dolls in stylish outfits. By age nine, she enjoyed playing dress-up.

“My Mom would bring home bags of hand-me down clothes. I had the best closet in town,” says Romano, owner of Fashion Exchange at 8270 La Mesa Blvd. in La Mesa. She went on to attend a fashion college, then worked as a traveling makeup artist at Nordstrom’s, Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s department stores.

In 2009 she opened up her shop—which despite the weak economy has thrived. “It’s better every year,” she told ECM.

July 12, 2012 (Alpine)—Old blue eyes is back—at least in spirit.  Frank Sinatra impersonator Monty Aidem will perform a free tribute concert on Friday, July 13 from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight in the V Lounge at Viejas Casino.  Aidem has performed at top casinos in Las Vegas and other major venues.  

By

Miriam Raftery

July 4, 2012 (Valley Center and Pauma Valley)– San Diego Farm Bureau’s latest farm tour offered guests the opportunity to visit four unique farms including a citrus ranch, vineyard, cactus farm, and ranch raising turkeys and other livestock.  Tour-goers met with farmers, took a tractor-ride, and learned about the joys and challenges of local farming.

It may surprise you to learn that San Diego County is home to more small farms (under 10 acres) than any other county in America.  Some are generations old, while others are new businesses sprouting up in the fertile soils of our sunny inland regions.

July 4, 2012 (Santa Ysabel) -- An official of the Santa Ysabel Resort and Casino announced that the facility will continue to operate as usual while it seeks to restructure its debt under Chapter 11 of federal bankruptcy law.

The tribeʼs attorneys filed the petition yesterday in federal bankruptcy court Southern District of California.

By Leon Thompson

June 30, 2012 (Lakeside)--In October 2003 the Cedar Fire incinerated 280,000 acres, destroyed 2820 homes and killed 15 people.  Like many others, Lakeside’s Wildcat Canyon resident Ingrid Coffin was alerted in the middle of the night that she was in the path of the most devastating firestorm our state had ever seen.

 By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A new website, www.savemissiontrails.org, has been launched to oppose the Quail Brush Generation Power Plant.  The group asks the public to send e-mails to decision makers and attend two key upcoming meetings, both on July 19. 

July 3, 2012 (Mt. Helix) -- As crews from the San Miguel Fire District responded to a 9-1-1 call late last night, flames were already shooting through the roof of the single family home located on the 9800 block of Ogram Drive. Once on scene, San Miguel Firefighters discovered the fire was running the attic of the 4200 square foot, single level home and called in a second alarm.

July 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire has stopped the forward spread of a two-acre brush fire that started in the 14000 block of Otay Lakes Road near the Thousand Trails Campground at Pio Pico.

“She had an attitude of gratitude,” La Mesa resident Ethel Rudolph says of her mother, Titanic survivor Anna Sofia Turja

By Ellinoa Blake

July 1, 2012 (La Mesa)--In the heart of La Mesa lives a hidden historical gem: Ethel Rudolph, whose mother, Anna Sofia Turja survived the Titanic tragedy. In her cozy home, Ethel sat down with East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery and I to share her mother’s moving tale.

In honor of this year’s 100^th anniversary of the Titanic sinking after striking an iceberg, Rudolph recently visited Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at the San Diego Natural History Museum, which runs through September 9.  

She reflected, “It brought back a lot of nostalgia, things Mother had said.”

Scroll down to read her dramatic story, including a video interview describing an eyewitness account of one of history's greatest tragedies.

July 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Two quakes measuring 4.6 and 4.7 on the Richter scale struck Baja, California during the night.

The first jolt earthquake struck at 8:25 p.m.; the second at 11:36 p.m. 

The jolts were felt throughout San Diego, according to the U.S. Geological Service which received reports from residents in Lakeside, Ramona, Solana Beach and Chula Vista. The quake also rattled Imperial County.

June 30, 2012 (La Mesa) --La Mesa Police along with the Sheriff's helicopter and K9 officers are looking for a “dangerous person” in the area of Culowee and Clearview tonight. The suspect may be armed, Incident Page Network states.

He is a white male wearing a black hat and black shirt. Please call 911 if you see him.

From drumming to mummy making, a treasure-trove of learning

June 29, 2012 (El Cajon) – Cuyamaca College is offering College for Kids July 9 – August 9 at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon.  It is a summer enrichment program for children between the ages of 8-14 that will teach new and meaningful skills through participation in classes such as art, dance fitness, science, media and more.

June 30, 2012 (Lakeside) – Tumbleweed Riding Club will be having a Used Tack Sale on July 7 from 8:00 a.m. to noon at the Club, 13315 Willow Road, Lakeside.  The gates will open at 7:30 a.m. for sellers to set up.

The cost is $5 per seller and is free to buyers.  Sellers must bring their own tables, chairs, racks, tarps, etc.

In honor of Harold Hilliker Farm Day at Lakeside Middle School, videographer Billy Ortiz created a video documentary tour of local agricultural sites

Story, photos and video by Billy Ortiz

June 30, 2012 (Lakeside)-- Lakeside Middle School held  its first annual Harold Hilliker Farm Day on May 30.  It  was a day full of information on agriculture, highlighting several Lakeside farms for the 6th and 7th graders. 

View a special video tour of local farms in Lakeside created for the Lakeside Historical Society by clicking  this link.

In addition, view a presentation at Lakeside Middle School by freelance videographer Billy Ortiz here.   

June 30, 2012 (El Cajon) – Residents  at the Villa Embasador Inn, a residential motel  on East Main Street in El Cajon, tried valiantly to save the life of a disabled woman found floating face down in a spa last night, but were unable to revive her.  The victim’s wheelchair was nearby. 

June 29, 2012 (San Diego) – The Society of Professional Journalists' San Diego chapter has awarded East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery the James Julian Memorial Award for best community service series.  Raftery received the honor, along with a $100 prize, for her series titled FEMA refund demand sparks firestorm of controversy.

The series also won an honorable mention in daily news reporting. In addition, Raftery won a second place award for environmental reporting for an East County Magazine article titled County issues draft wind ordinance; backcountry leaders level harsh criticism.

June 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- Deputies from the Santee Community Policing and Problem Solving Unit (C.O.P.P.S.), Santee Detectives, and Officers from the San Diego Probation Department conducted "Operation Overwatch" in Santee, Lakeside, and Unincorporated El Cajon at 6 a.m. on June 27.  The purpose was to conduct compliance checks on subjects who were released early from custody under Assembly Bill 109, also known as the "Public Safety Realignment Act."