Mystic Grill and Bakery

8191 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, CA 91942

www.mysticgrillsd.com

Review by Stevon Marshall

June 5, 2014 (La Mesa)--When people hear or think of California, most think of the great weather, the celebrities living in Hollywood, amusement parks, and so on. But when it comes to food, most consider California’s trademark food to be burgers or Mexican fare. But with an influx of immigrants from around the world, San Diego’s East County is now home to an array of international restaurants – including quite a few serving up Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes.   

I've been living in California my whole life and I've dabbled in a variety of cuisines: Asian, Italian, Southern, some Mediterranean and of course, Mexican. So while interning at East County Magazine, we decided to take a team of tasters to try out Mystic Café, specializing in Mediterranean foods:  our editor, Miriam, our “East County Eater,” Leon, and myself, along with two of my internship peers, Jaden and Kayla.

June 6, 2014 (Mt. Helix) -- Mark Raftery captured this image of a Cooper's Hawk in flight, soaring high abouve Mt. Helix. 

May 31, 2014 (Ocotillo) – Last month, our article, “Was it fraud?”  raised serious questions over whether Pattern Energy exaggerated wind capacity factor claims to pocket federal subsidies for its Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility.  That story revealed that in calendar year 2013, the facility produced less than half  of the 34% capacity factor promised by the developer.

By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2014 (Jacumba Hot Springs)—Slipping away to the high desert community of Jacumba Hot Springs proves a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Not too long ago, Jacumba nearly became a ghost town after a resort hotel from the ‘20s burned down and Interstate 8 was built, drawing traffic away from Old Highway 80 through the heart of Jacumba.  But then a revitalization committee petitioned the state to take back the town's historic name -- Jacumba Hot Springs. Since then, these movers and shakers have infused new life into a town named by the Kumeyaay Native Americans who once camped here in the winter months: Jacum—a place of healing waters.

Now celebrating its centennial year, the town recently hosted the Healing Waters & Arts Festival--a successful event for the community and guests alike. 

June 5, 2014 (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 reflect 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.

• Shinsheki resigns, but will that improve things at VA hospitals? (CNN)
• House Democrats unveil new gun bill focused on mental health (The Hill)
• EPA to call for 30% cut in power plant emissions by 2030 (Huffington Post)
• Republicans questions U.S. prisoner swap with Taliban (Reuters)
• Snowden: The Government That Is Attacking Me Is Also Reforming Because of Me (Reason)
• U.S. birth rate hits lows for teens, rises among older women (Reuters)

WORLD

• Spain arrests 6 suspects accused of recruiting for terror groups (CNN)
• Russia Takes Helm Of UN Security Council, Turns Focus On Ukraine (NPR)
• G7 willing to step up sanctions on Russia over Ukraine  (Reuters)
• Why Chinese youth are ignorant of Tiananmen Square protest (CS Monitor)
• Egypt's Former Army Chief Wins Presidential Election In Landslide (NPR)
• Ottawa City Hall Hosts Palestinian Exhibit Honoring Terrorists (Investigative Projects)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Assessor/Recorder/Clerk, Ernest Dronenburg, will retain his seat without a run-off election.

Community tailgate at SDG&E offices June 6 in El Cajon and July 7 in Chula Vista

East County News Service

June 4, 2014 (El Cajon)--SDG&E is going to have Community Tailgates at its branch offices, providing information on programs, services and solutions to your energy needs. Their partners, TechniArt, will be on hand offering 3 light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs for $10 (which is a $60 value) along with additional LED sizes.

LEDs use far less electricity, and because they don’t have a filament to burn out, they last up to five times  longer than compact florescent bulbs. And LEDs offer a “cleaner” light than  compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs. The LEDs use so much less electricity and last so much longer that the cost savings over a traditional incandescent bulb is about $540 over the life of the bulb. That’s a solid return on the investment of $3.33 per bulb in this special offer.

Photo:  James Kimber(D) will square off against Duncan D. Hunter (R) in November.

By Trevor Hill

June 4, 2014 (San Diego)--This Tuesday’s primary election yielded unsurprising results as far as Congressional districts are concerned. All five incumbent representatives on the ballot in San Diego County were the top vote-getters—but challengers will get a second chance in run-off races slated for November’s general election.

In East County races, November will pit two veterans, Democrat James Kimber (25%) and Republican Congressman Duncan  Hunter(70%), against each other in the 50^th district, which includes most areas north of I-8 in the inland region and other communities. Libertarian Michael Benoit actively campaigned and participated in debates, but received only 5% of the vote. Kimber, a career medical professional, has made expanding and improving healthcare coverage a cornerstone of his campaign against fiscally conservative Hunter, who has sought to repeal the Affordable Healthcare Act.

Two Democrats to vie in run-off in State Superintendent of Public Instruction race

Photo: Michael McQuary (right) , with supporter (left) is the new face on San Diego Unified's school board

By Miriam Raftery

June 4, 2014 (San Diego) – Candidates endorsed by the County Democratic Party scored strong wins in local education races during the June primary election.  Though school board races officially are nonpartisan, political parties weighed in with slate mailers advising voters on the parties’ preferences.

Incumbent Kevin Beiser trounced challenger Amy Redding 68% to 32% in San Diego Unified School District seat B. In addition, Michael McQuary, PhD, a retired teacher, won the District C seat unopposed.

By Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2013 (San Diego) – District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has defeated two challengers to win reelection outright, since in San Diego County races with three or more contenders, if one candidates receives 50% or more of votes, there is no run-off in November.

As of midnight, Dumanis has a solid win with 55% of the vote. Bill Brewer, a criminal defense lawyer who has also represented Sempra Energy, has around 35%, while deputy district attorney Terry Wyatt trails with 10%.

The campaign has been rocked with controversies, including questions over campaign contributions from a foreign national to a group supporting Dumanis and the role of Brewer in halting  a federal probe into Sempra bribery allegations in Mexico.

By Nadin Abbott and Miriam Raftery

June 3, 2014 (San Diego) – Governor Jerry Brown (D) appears likely to square off in November against Republican Neel Kashkari, the former U.S. Assistant Treasury Secetary.  Kashkari, son of immigrants from India, placed second in field of contenders in the gubernatorial primary, including Minute Man founder Tim Donnelly. With over 58% of precincts counted statewide, Brown has over 55%, Kashkari 18%, and Donnelly 14.7%. (For full gubernatorial results, see http://vote.sos.ca.gov/returns/governor/).

Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom , a Democrat, currently has a solid lead with just over 50% of the vote at midnight Tuesday after 62% of precincts have been counted.  In second place with 23% and likely to face Newsom in November with Ron Nehring, former chair of the San Diego Republican Party and the state GOP in the eight-person race.

By Miriam Raftery       

May 27, 2014 (San Diego)—Nile Sisters Development Initiative invites the public to celebrate diverse cultures in the City Heights community on Saturday, June 7 to commemorate World Refugee Month.  The event features a variety of ethnic foods, dancing, spoken word, a DJ playing music, raffles, entertainment for children and more.

Source: County News Service

June 3, 2014 (San Diego)--Tattoos have become so common, many people think getting one is completely safe.  But there can be health risks, as two San Diegans recently discovered.

“Articles Concerning Trusts, Wills, Probate, Family Law & more”

By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.

May 31, 2014 (San Diego County) – The court appoints a personal representative at the commencement of a probate proceeding to administer the decedent’s estate. One of the primary duties of a personal representative during probate administration is to collect the decedent’s real and personal property. An Inventory and Appraisal (I&E) must be filed with the court as part of the probate. The I&E a public record of all probate property the decedent owned or had an interest in at the time of death.