Put Americans to work providing fire protection infrastructure and
energy independence for San Diego's fire-ravaged East County region

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

December
7, 2008 (San Diego's East County) —President-Elect Barack
Obama is expected to propose the largest infrastructure-rebuilding program
since Franklin Delano Roosevelt initiated the Works Progress Administration
(WPA) during the Great Depression.  The goal is to put Americans back
to work and revitalize the economy while also repairing roads, bridges, levees
and other public projects.

While fiscal conservatives may oppose massive spending on public works projects,
the reality is that with a Democratic-controlled Congress, the President's
proposed infusion of capital into infrastructure rebuilding is guaranteed to
pass. "So why not have San Diego County's bipartisan Congressional delegation
propose that a portion of those infrastructure dollars be spent to improve
fire safety right here in East County, where the worst wildfires in California
history struck in 2003 and again in 2007?"

By Sylvia Hampton

As I write this, my daughter’s relative by marriage and close friend
is in a Los Angeles hospital intensive care unit fighting for her life at age
46. The family told my daughter the following story:

“Peggy” (not her real name) had been feeling ill for some time
with abdominal pain that her doctor thought was from the uterine fibroids they
knew she had. The doctor was considering a hysterectomy to correct the problem.
When her pain and complaints worsened she was told to take ibuprofen. This
did not help and when she later could not get a call-back from the doctor,
in frustration, she increased the dose herself to a dangerous level. The pain
got so bad after a day or two that she ended up in the emergency room where
she was diagnosed with diverticulitis, an inflammation of the colon, which
was missed during the earlier office visit. Did she have an elevated temperature?
Was that checked?

By Miriam Raftery

December 2008 (San Diego) — Here's a bright idea--save money on your holiday electric bills by going green! 

Solar holiday lights are now available in white or colored strings, twinkling lights, tree nets, wreaths, illuminated stars and even poinsettia lights for a variety of outdoor applications. 

December 12 deadline for schools to apply

You have heard about the Stone Age, the Iron Age and the Bronze Age. Now we are
in the midst of a new technological revolution driven by nanotechnology and
other material sciences, which will usher in a new age of Advanced Materials. On
April 1, 175 high school students from all over San Diego County will
have the opportunity to participate in a fun, interactive and eye-opening day
as they learn about some of the exciting technologies that are driving this
new technological age.

By Wren Osborn

Early voting at the San Diego Registrar of Voters, where some people waited up to six hours in line.

December 1, 2008 (El Cajon) — I cannot understand why it is so easy to change
the California Constitution. "All it takes is an initiative with 50% of
the vote plus one voter and voila a new amendment to the Constitution." Yes,
it takes 8% to qualify the proposition instead of the usual 5% but does that
bring mature reflection to the process? "I would say not." Especially
since the process is now dominated by moneyed interests who hire paid signature
gatherers -- We've created a slam dunk process for those with money.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2008 (San Diego's East County) — Holiday season brings warm memories of home-baked goodies--the yeasty aroma of freshly baked bread, rolling out cookie dough and decorating holiday cookies, not to mention savoring home-made pies and other sweet delights.

Roses for Bayer float

December 1, 2008 (Pasadena) — For a unique adventure just up the road, you can
help behind the scenes in the days before the Jan. 1st Tournament of Roses Parade
in Pasadena. The parade will be seen by 40 million people on Jan. 1 on TV networks
including HGTV. Each float is decorated with more flowers than the average florist
will use in five years!

By Janelle Eckardt

Dec. 1, 2008 (San Diego) —  Native San Diegans
are quick to admit that we enjoy arguably the best weather in the entire country – boasting
a balmy 74 degree average in November.  While the North East freezes each
winter, we oftentimes forget to even wear a coat to work.  But as a wise
person once noted, perfection grows weary; East County’s weather can
be so predictable and mild that we revel in the slightest “pattern” or “flow.” And
I am no exception. The first gloomy sign of autumn inspired me to head out
for a day of hiking at one of our most wheelchair-friendly parks: the Mission
Trails Regional Park (MTRP).