May 26, 2011 (La Mesa) –La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host an evening mixer June 1st at San Pasqual Winery’s La Mesa tasting room, 8364 La Mesa Blvd., from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Hors d'oeuvres, wine, and raffles are all part of the fun.

Cost for nonmembers who RSVP by today is $15 ($20 at the door) and includes 1 free glass of wine. Member cost is $10.

May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Walmart, has announced a voluntary recall of 255,000 food General Electric food processors.  The USCPS has received dozens of complaints that the units began smoking and in some cases, resulted in fires or injuries to hands. 

May 26, 2011 (Washington D.C.) - Summer officially kicks off this weekend and millions of Americans will celebrate with a cookout. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges consumers to check their grills and "fire it up safely" to prevent fires and carbon monoxide poisoning--and also make sure your grill hasn't been recalled.

Update May 25:  Authorities have now concluded that the parents planned their own suicides and the killings of their two children.  The couple detailed plans in notes left behind indicating the family had troubles, however authorities have not disclosed details   

May 24, 2011 (San Diego) – Priscilla Pimienta was supposed to graduate from High Tech High School tomorrow. But her family will never see her accept her diploma. This morning, Priscilla was found dead at her home in the 100 block of Parkcreek Court, along with her parents and younger sister.

Program to be funded by workforce partners in community and through student fees

May 23, 2011 (Sacramento) – To help meet demand for more college graduates to help drive California’s economy, Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (AD-78) has authored legislation to look at alternate ways to help students achieve a baccalaureate degree.

AB 661 would allow Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District and San Mateo County Community College District to establish baccalaureate degree pilot programs in subject areas where workforce need is high. Yesterday, AB 661 cleared the Assembly Higher Education Committee without opposition.

May 25, 2011 (Washington D.C) —With the U.S. government expected to hit the $14.294 trillion debt ceiling this week, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, called for action on H.R. 1551, the Guarantee Paychecks for America’s Military Families Act. 

The legislation guarantees that, in the event the debt limit is reached or a lapse in federal funding occurs, all military families, in addition to civilians working in combat zones, continue to receive paychecks.  Cosponsors include San Diego representatives Bob Filner, a Democrat, and Republican Brian Bilbray. 

Push comes as major drug busts made at border involving Mexican trucks

By Jeremy Los

May 22, 2011- Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Alpine) is leading a bi-partisan push to end a cross-border trucking program that would allow Mexican trucks to use U.S. roadways. Hunter and Illinois Democrat Daniel Lipinski sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood protesting the agreement between the U.S. and Mexico. The letter has rare bipartisan agreement, signed by 42 lawmakers from both sides of the aisle including Rep. Bob Filner (D-San Diego).

The lawmakers claim that the program will tarnish border security as well as hurt the American economy and cost jobs. In addition, concerns have been raised over highway safety.

May 25, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Three men, one brandishing a gun, robbed the AM PM Mart at 6404 Mission Gorge Road at 1:01 a.m. The suspects are described as black male adults in their 20s, wearing hoodies and baggy jeans.

May 24, 2011 (Alpine) –Alpine Fire Protection District Fire Marshal Mary Tedesco advises that she received a phone call today from a resident who was called by a person claiming to be a representative from the Fireman’s Association—asking for a $500 donation.

“Firefighters DO NOT solicit for money,” Tedesco advised in a bulletin sent to the Alpine Community Network. “The only time we collect money is for the annual boot drive on the streets (in uniform) for the Burn Institute, and that takes place all over San Diego for just one day. Other than that.......NO PHONE CALLS OR ASKING FOR MONEY EVER!”

Program Expands Coverage for Uninsured, Thanks to Federal Funds

May 24, 2011 (San Diego)--Today the County Board of Supervisors approved implementation of the Low Income Health Program (LIHP). The program will expand the successful Coverage Initiative program which the County's Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) has been operating since 2007.

The expanded program will provide access to primary care and mental health benefits to low-income, uninsured adults. The program will help improve health outcomes and decrease healthcare costs in the region. LIHP will serve single, medically indigent individuals at or below 133% of the federal poverty level, and provide them with a patient-centered medical home.

May 24, 2011 (Spring Valley)– The Otay Water District’s (the District) Board of Directors has approved its budget for fiscal year 2011-2012. The budget adopted by the District includes a rate increase of 7.7 percent for water service and a 7.5 percent rate increase for sewer effective January, 2012.

"The $78.1 million operating budget and $22.6 million Capital Improvements Projects (CIP) budget reflect the District’s ongoing efforts to lessen the impact of higher water costs on customers," a press release issued by the district stated.

By Miriam Raftery (guest columnist)
Terra Bistro

7091 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92115
www.terrasd.com

By Miriam Raftery

May 24, 2011 (San Diego) –San Diego City Council has approved the biggest cost cutting move in San Diego’s history: reforming retiree health benefits, which is estimated to save the City $714,000,000 in coming years.

“With this agreement the City is keeping faith with retirees and taxpayers by creating a sustainable benefit and freeing up hundreds of millions of dollars needed for City services like public safety, libraries and parks,” said Councilmember Marti Emerald, who announced the pending agreement during her recent State of the District address.

May 23, 2011 (La Mesa) – A team of seventh graders from Day-McKellar Preparatory School in La Mesa will advance to the finals for the National History Day Competition in June 12-16 in Maryland. The team took first place at the California State National History Day Competition earlier this month with an award-winning performance on the 1980 U.S.-led Olympic boycott.