By Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2012 (Ocotillo) – North American Development Bank has announced that it has approved a 20-year, $110 million construction loan for completion of Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind energy facility.  The bank, which is capitalized by both  the U.S. and Mexican governments, funds projects within 62 miles of the international border. 

SDG&E has signed a 20-year purchase agreement for power from the project, which is on track to become the first renewable energy project to tie into the Sunrise Powerlink, bringing electricity from Imperial Valley to San Diego.

Lost Girls, by Caitlin Rother (Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, NY, 2012, 372 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother, a San Diego resident and journalist, has written a true-crime book that I am sure will resonate with all parents: Lost Girls. Pulitzer-nominated author Rother delivers an incisive, heartbreaking true-life thriller that touches our deepest fears. It is the story of John Gardner, who raped and murdered local San Diego teens Chelsea King and Amber Dubois.

Rother dedicates her book to the memories of King and Dubois, and all other girls and boys who have been lost to sexual predators. She feels that by shedding light on these dark events, she can only hope that it will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

By Bill Weaver

November 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Leaders in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College are speaking out to thank voters for passing Prop V, a $398 million bond measure that passed by about 56.5 percent. 

“We’re pleased that voters understand the critical facilities and technology upgrades needed to better educate and train our students in today’s ultra-competitive world,” said Governing Board President Bill Garrett. 

Prop V will fund upgrades, repairs and renovations  to classrooms, roads, labs and infrastructure, including helping to meet the needs of our region's many veterans.

By Brian Lafferty

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Practically every commercial I saw for Skyfall emphasized the action sequences.  Not surprising, since studios throw all the best parts in the trailers and ads.  Here's some irony for you: MGM and Columbia only thought they included the best parts.  Audiences who watch the official trailer and the TV spots think they're getting a dark action movie.  Wrong.  Unlike such recent spy films as Salt - which are ninety-percent action and ten-percent espionage - Skyfall is ninety-percent spy film and ten-percent action…as a James Bond movie should be.

November 9, 2012 (Washington D.C.)  -- A nationwide recall of Banana Boat spray-on sunscreens has been issued by Energizer Holdings, Inc., the U.S. Food & Drug Association (FDA) announced.  The voluntary recall follows five cases of consumers suffering burns after the product ignited on the skin. 

Read more for a list of products and additional details:  

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) -- Last Friday, November 2, Marie Curie, John Muir, Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, Henry Ford, Orville Wright and Amelia Earhart were spotted at Boulder Oaks Elementary School in Alpine!  Fourth and fifth grade students from Mrs. Newcomb, Mrs. Morales and Mrs. Golden's classes brought famous figures back to life at the school's annual Dead Scientists and Explorers Wax Museum. 

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is holding its 2012 Christmas Party on December 8 from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  This celebration is a great way to show your support for the Big Cats by spending some time with them and finding unique holiday gifts from among the many vendors participating.  Delicious food and beverages will be available.

November 9, 2012 (Lakeside) – County Parks and Rec is holding a Turkey Toss November 10 at Louis Stelzer Park, 11470 Wildcat Canyon Rd, Lakeside.  This children’s event will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

The children will toss aluminum cans at different targets for points.  The competition will be broken up based on age with the first prize in each bracket winning a turkey.  All other participants will receive fun treats.  Each child should bring 10 empty soda cans.  The completion is open to children ages 4 – 13.

November 9, 2012 (El Cajon) – At approximately 6:50 AM this morning San Miguel Firefighters responded to Dehesa Road and Willow Glen, where a 45 year old male from El Cajon was traveling eastbound on Dehesa Rd. west of Willow Glen Dr. He was riding a 1996 Suzuki motorcycle. For reasons unknown he failed to maintain control of the bike and slid across the solid double yellow line west of the intersection with Willow Glen Dr.

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2012 (San Diego)—In an election where voters overwhelmingly showed support for public education, education champion and Assemblyman Marty Block easily won his race to take a seat representing the 39th State Senate district.

With 100% of precincts counted and only absentees remaining, Block has captured 57.4% of the vote, while ex-Assemblyman George Plescia got 42.57%.

By Buck Shott

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) –Some of the biggest winners and losers in this election weren’t candidates—though they’ll clearly be feeling the impacts of the election outcomes.

So who in town needs crying towels, and who should be popping champagne?  From our region’s not-so-influential media mogul to techie geeks who proved social media can help defeat special interests, here are our picks for the biggest post-election winners and losers:

November 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –  In startling contrast to numerous national polls that had predicted a near-tie in the presidential race, President Barack Obama won a sweeping victory.  Obama captured 303 electoral votes, Romney 206, winning not only Democratic strongholds, but also nearly all swing states.  According to CNN, the President also trounced Romney in the popular vote by more than a million vote margin.

Similarly, Democrats gained power in Sacramento and San Diego, taking control of the Council and Mayor’s office with wins looking increasingly likely to oust Congressman Bilbray and seat a Democrat on the all-Republican Board of Supervisors. 

What lessons can be learned from the outcomes?

November 8, 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.

• Obama makes history, again (CNN)
• After election, overtures from Republicans on debt (Washington Post)
• House Speaker says he’ll consider tax increase (SF Gate)
• Big gains for women in 2012 (CNN)
• Obama to weigh energy boom, climate change in second term (Reuters)
• After Romney losses, GOP soul searching begins (CBS)
• Hope and change part II (NY Times opinion)
• Marijuana legalization victories could be short-lived
• New York City crime down by a third in wake of superstorm  (Reuters)
• Study: Stem cells from strangers can repair hearts (Sacramento Bee) 

WORLD

• Russia set to redefine treason, sparking fears (NPR)
• Insight: Putin's Russia - more fragile than it looks (Reuters)
• Day of the Dead takes on new meaning for families of Mexico's disappeared (Christian Science Monitor)
• Islamists protest in Cairo, call for Sharia law (Jerusalem Post)
  

Board majority to continue support for unification efforts

By Bill Weaver

November 7, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Union School District (AUSD) saw its top two campaign spenders become the winners of seats on its Board. Tim Caruthers was the top spender at almost $7,800, followed by  Joe Perricone, who spent $5,300.  Perricone got the most votes in the community, followed by Caruthers.

Story and photos by I.C.  Jimenez

November 8, 2012 (San Diego)--Heartland Coalition has received the prestigious “Service Firm of The Year” award by the Minority Business Development Agency.  The award, presented October 25 in Riverside, recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing minority business enterprises.  The MBDA theme for this year is “Build it here-sell it everywhere.”