Media Reform Panel at San Diego Grassroots Democratic Convention Saturday 

September 24, 2009 San Diego)-- The topics of, “Why do cities like San Diego have five or six talk radio stations with conservative viewpoints, but no progressive talk radio?” and “What can we do about it?” will be discussed by a panel of experts at the San Diego Grassroots Democratic Convention on Sept. 26 at 2:00-3:15pm at the Liberty Station Event Center (2875 Dewey Road) in Point Loma.

San Diego City Council member(and former Channel 10 journalist Marti Emerald will be joined by TV/radio host Bree Walker and Brad Friedman of bradblog.com. Mike Thaller, Director of the San Diego County Democratic Party Media Relations committee and Chair of Campaign for Progressive Radio (CPR) will be the moderator.

September 24, 2009 (Boulevard) –On Monday, CAL FIRE Battalion Chief and acting Boulevard Fire Chief John Francois informed Boulevard Fire Board members that a paroled arsonist had been living in the community.  The arsonist is now back in custody for violating his parole terms.

“Several suspicious fires are still under investigation,” Donna Tisdale, Chair of the Boulevard Planning Group informed East County Magazine. Tisdale expressed shock that community members were kept in the dark about a potentially dangerous arsonist in their midst at the height of fire season—and she is now calling for reforms in the law to require that neighbors be notified if an arsonist is turned loose in their neighborhood.

September 23, 2009 – In response to “devastating budget cuts”, San Diego State University President Stephen L. Weber announced that SDSU will cut enrollment by 10.8%, or 4,588 undergraduate students. In addition, the school will make changes to its admissions policy for incoming fall 2010 freshmen and transfer students. The announcement has sparked concerns and criticisms from community leaders.
 

“These changes are a direct result of devastating state budget cuts of $571 million to the California State University System and SDSU,” Weber wrote in an e-mail sent to faculty members yesterday.

Estela de los Rios, Organizer of Oct. 1st Hate Crimes Summit in El Cajon
 

By John Falchi
ECM Editor Miriam Raftery also contributed to this story
 

September 25, 2009 (El Cajon)--Estela de Los Rios is leading an effort that will bring a Hate Crimes Summit sponsored by United for A Hate Free San Diego forum to El Cajon’s Ronald Reagan Community Center On Thursday October 1, 2009. In this exclusive interview with East County Magazine, she shared details about shocking hate crimes in our community, including many in local schools.  She also shared personal insights into the hardships and challenges that have steeled her resolve to achieve reforms.

By Miriam Raftery
 

September 23, 2009 (Santee) – If you’re playing hooky in the Grossmont Union High School District, you might get some unexpected visitors . Today, Superintendent Bob Collins dropped in at the homes of truant students in Santee, along with a Sheriff’s Deputy and child welfare worker. Juvenile Detail sweeps also include visits to places frequented by truant teens, from Starbucks to parks to the local mall.

It’s all part of a joint effort that has reduced drop-out rates in the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) from 7-8% three years ago to under 3% last year.

Story and photos by Leon Thompson

September 22, 2009 (La Jolla) Health reform advocates today held a “Big Insurance: Sick of It” rally as part of a nationwide day of action. Locally, a rally was staged in front of the San Diego office of Anthem Blue Cross, the California subsidiary of insurance giant Wellpoint. Protestors demanded that Anthem Blue Cross sign a pledge to support real reform and end what the activists called “bad health insurance industries practices.”

More than 75 exuberant protestors called for an immediate end to such practices as denying coverage based on pre-existing medical conditions, arbitrary caps on payments, and terminating policies (in many cases, after people are sick with a costly-to-treat illness). Advocates for reform also charged that Anthem offers incentives to its employees to deny patient care or reject claims.

September 22, 2009 - > Brittany Garrett of Blossom Valley is asking the pubilc's help to save Mulisha, her one-year-old Australian cattle dog/shepherd mix. Last night, the dog was bitten by a baby rattlesnake, Garrett informed neighbors on a Blossom Valley online forum.  The dog was taken to Animal Medical Center of East County in El Cajon, but the family cannot afford the $1,533.80 needed for treatment.  

"My mother is the only person in the house who works at a part-time job," Garrett wrote.  "My father is disabled and so is my grandfather. I am currently in school and three months pregnate.  It would really help if you could donate or help raise money for my puppy."  Donations may be made to:

The Burn Institute Senior Smoke Alarm Program is for people 55 and over who own their own homes. All smoke alarms, batteries and maintenance direction are provided by The Burn Institute for the program – free of charge.

If a senior is a renter, The Burns Institute will, at the renter’s request, call the owner on behalf of the renter to advocate and let the landlord know that it is his or her legal responsibility to maintain all smoke alarm equipment.

One Day Only!
 

Saturday, September 26, 2009 is Museum Day, and you can enjoy free general admission for you and a guest to enjoy 18 of San Diego’s museums. It’s easy to participate, simply go to the Smithsonian website (link below) and register for their free admission card. Registration is free and you can print out your card after completing the online registration. For details, see http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/.

This Freebie Alert is provided by Nancy and Dawn Clement, our Dollar-Wise Diva columnists.  They can be reached at 619-563-4184 or Dollar-Wi$eDivas@Cox.net.

Tiramisu Trattoria
8273 La Mesa Blvd.
La Mesa, CA 91941
(619)698-0096
http://www.tiramisutrattoria.com/ 

By the East County Eater

September 20, 2009 (La Mesa)--This is a tough job. For instance, how do you choose the best Italian restaurant in East County among so many tasty choices? After considerable (and delectable) research, I’m pleased to reveal my current favorite: Tiramisu Trattoria in La Mesa.

 The second you walk in, you feel like an honored guest. Everyone I’ve spoken to tells the tale of how the owner personally welcomed them and came by the table to ask if everything is to their liking. Our experience confirmed the owner’s reputation for not only dishing up fine food, but also warm hospitality.

September 24, 2009 (El Cajon) – A women’s health fair will be held on Saturday, October 3 at Andres Restaurant, 1235 Morena Blvd. in San Diego (www.andresrestaurantsdc.com). Proceeds will benefit the Chase Avenue Family Health Clinic in El Cajon.

 The health fair is sponsored by San Diego Wedgies Chapter of the Blue Thong Society (www.bluethongsociety.com). Pledging to “blend the generations and fight frump,” Blue Thong Society describes its members as “fun, fabulous, smart, and sassy women of all ages who have blazed new trails and broken the molds since birth. We’ve worked, rebelled, rock ’n rolled, raised families and never failed to stand up for what we believe in. Now we’re ready for our ‘next rally’: a time for us, our girlfriends, and to give back to our communities while having fun!”

Story and photo by Christopher Mohr

By Mick Roberts

Photos by Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief

September 20, 2009 (Valley Center) – A helicopter has crashed in southeastern Valley Center at Orozco Ridge on a remote part of the Guijito Ranch. CAL-FIRE and Valley Center Fire Department responded at 2:40 p.m.

EAST OF SAN DIEGO. The Lost History of the East San Diego Police Department, 1912-1923. By Gary E. Mitrovich

San Diego Police Historical Association, San Diego, 2008. 112 pages, illustrated.  Distributed by Sunbelt Publications, El Cajon, CA.

Reviewed by Walter Hall