By Miriam Raftery

Update 7:30 p.m. November 2, 2011- Cal-Fire will continue to monitor this fire through the night, says Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler. "Cal-Fire has not crossed over the border," he said. The fire is burning northwest and progress is being made toward containment. 

He had no updates on size, last estimated at 600 acres, but said he will send an update if the fire should cross over into the U.S.

November 2, 2011 (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 plan moves to ease mortgages, student loans (International Business Times)
• Victims of improper foreclosure practices can submit claims (Los Angeles Times)
• New Obama administration programs help veterans find jobs (Voice of America)
• Farming helps refugees put down roots (Voice of America)
• Millions without power after northeast snow storm (CNN)
• Herman Cain sexual harassment claims dog campaign (ABC)
• Bank of America cancels debit card fee (BBC)

WORLD

• World reaches 7 billion (Reuters video)
• Occupy London protesters celebrate after winning eviction battle (Guardian)
• Somalia’s agony tests limits of aid (New York Times)
• Wikileaks Assange loses extradition appeal (BBC)
• Suicide bomber kills 3, wounds 20 in SE Turkey (Jerusalem Post)

Click "read more" to see links, and  stories

• School closures curtailed; new borrowing idea floated (Voice of San Diego)
• Sluggish growth expected for San Diego economy (KPBS)
• East County Chaldeans launch TV lifeline (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Sex predator to live in Campo, judge says (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Merchants get a lesson in combating robberies (La Mesa Today)
• Suggested manifesto for the Occupy movement (La Mesa Patch.com)

• Local officials file initiative to protect future funding (Sacramento Bee)
• California’s high-speed rail backers take steps to quiet critics (Sacramento Bee)

Click "read more" to see links, and  stories

November 2, 2011 (Jamul) Drama students from Santee High School will perform a free reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, November 5 at Jamul Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn. The performance is part of students’ preparatory work for their November production of this classic holiday story.

November 2, 2011 (McCain Valley) - The County has authorized SDG&E and the Daley Corporation to perform asphalt repairs on McCain Valley Road on Friday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

November 2, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the September 12, 2011 shooting death of Raymond Garcia. The vehicle was apparently purchased in El Cajon.

November 2, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Armchair Impressionists, including Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, William Marsh, and guest artist Carol Harris, will feature their paintings November 1 - 30 at the Rancho San Diego Library.  Area residents are invited to join them at an artist’s reception, November 6 from 2 – 4 pm in the Community Room.

By Miriam Raftery

November 2, 2011 (San Diego) – Pam Hoye is a friend one of the most amazing people I’ve met. Severely disabled and confined to a wheelchair, she types by holding a pen in her mouth. She has a beautiful spirit, a bright mind, and relies on in-home services to survive. Now her mother, who has advanced demention, has lost her home to foreclosure. Pam needs help to find another place for her mother to live nearby.

Musician Charlie Imes has organized a fantastic benefit concert this Thursday, November 3 starring Jeff Berkeley of Berkeley Hart, winner of many music awards, and other top talent including “Cactus” Jim Soldi, who has played with Johnny Cash and Ricky Skaggs, Peter Bolland, a San Diego Music Awards winner, and more.

By Greg Dunne

Six honorees were recognized for their work with the Somali and East African Refugee Community

November 2, 2011 (San Diego) — Somali Family Service of San Diego (SFS) held its First Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration to honor and recognize six community members who have made significant contributions in advancing the nation’s second largest Somali and East African refugee population on Wednesday, October 19.

November 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has extended today’s red flag alert through this evening as hot, gusty winds continue through much of East County.

A fire burning in Mexico is putting up smoke visible in the southeast portion of the County.

According to Deerhorn Valley Antler editor Kim Hamilton, “A resident in Lyons Valley called to say he received a taped phone message from SDG&E that power may be cut off if the wind conditions are as predicted. If there is any kind of fire event while power is out, we will be in a very dangerous and vulnerable position.”

November 2, 2011 (El Cajon)-- The FBI and El Cajon Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the unknown male responsible for robbing the Pacific Western Bank, 368 Broadway, El Cajon, California, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

November 1, 2011 (Sacremento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block has announced Hire a Hero - Hire a Vet, a job fair that focuses on presenting job opportunities for service members returning from war. Block especially wants to let everyone know about the job fair so they can let the vets themselves,  or someone they know about it.

The fair is focused on connecting Veterans, National Guard, and Reservists returning from active duty to companies currently hiring. The event is free and open to the public. Members of Block's staff will be available at the event to answer any state-related questions or concerns. 

November 1, 2011 (La Mesa) – Take a step back in time on the La Mesa Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, November 5.  Sponsored by the La Mesa Historical Society, this year's tour features five historic houses by noted local architects, some of whom went on to even greater architectural fame.  

November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 for San Diego’s mountain areas.

Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity will create “explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warns.

November 1, 2011 (Ramona) – A suspected problem in overhead electrical lines is believed to be the cause behind a power outage that has impacted 653 customers in east Ramona, Barona, and the Iron Mountain area.

November 1, 2011 (San Diego) - Sempra Generation has received the 2011 Solar Energy Industries Association Solar Champion Award (SEIA) in the Project Developer category.

Update 6:45 p.m. --  San Onofre has cancelled the alert issued earlier and now reports that its onsite emergency response team has contained the release and cleaned up hazardous material at the unit following an ammonia leak. The leak had no impact on radioactive material or cooling units.  

Plumbing union expert involved with installation of piping and ammonia monitoring system at plant speaks with ECM

 November 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Lawyer Chapter and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society present: The Financial Crisis: “What is the Role of Government in Regulating Wall Street?”

The event will take place on Wednesday, November 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. at the San Diego County Bar Association, 1333 7th Avenue, San Diego. 

November 1, 2011 (La Mesa)—Gerry Bullard, 22, and Keith Davis, 26 have been arrested on charges of car jacking and armed robbery, La Mesa Police report.  The men may be responsible for multiple robberies in La Mesa and elsewhere in the County, according to La Mesa Police.