October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha announces comedy performances on Friday nights at the Mesa Grill, Holiday Inn La Mesa. The program debuts October 19 with comics from NBC’s Friday night, the Latino Laugh Festival and Comedy Central’s Danny Villalpando as well as the “Amazing” Al Gavi.
Kyocera, TurboTec, and String Quartet photos by Eric Ragin
October 18, 2012 (Tijuana)--As an American living in Tijuana, I have a unique perspective and vantage point on Tijuana Innovadora 2012, the 10-day showcase of business technology and culture in Tijuana, Mexico, that opened October 11, 2012 and ends on October 21, 2012. The eyes of the world will once more turn to Tijuana, truly a mosaic of Mexico, and discover what creativity and courage has led them to create. There’s no doubt, they are bound for greatness.
October 18, 2012 -- (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.
Fresh signs of U.S. housing recovery (BBC)
This is the biggest economic story in the world ( Business Insider)
Man arrested after plotting federal reserve bomb, authorities say (CNN)
Women’s issues move to forefront after debate (Washington Post)
Romney’s missteps on Libya may hurt criticism of Obama foreign policy (Washington Post)
Obama edges Romney in second debate: Poll (CBS)
Conservatives assail debate moderator Crowley (CBS)
WORLD
Report: Syria using widely banned cluster bombs (Christian Science Monitor)
Israel parliament to hold new election (UT San Diego)
Russia moves to prosecute leader of protests (Reuters)
Thousands of British troops to leave Afghanistan in 2013 (Reuters)
Thousands march in Spain to protest austerity (UT San Diego)
French president proposes banning homework (ABC News)
Firefox 16: latest upgrade taken offline due to security (BBC)
Fundraiser a success, but more help is needed: “wish list” provided for families who lost homes
By Miriam Raftery
October 17, 2012 (Jacumba/Boulevard)—Ray Ritter, 2, and his parents are among nine families who lost everything in the Shockey Fire last month. The home they were renting burned to the ground and they had no insurance. But that’s just the latest in a string of tragedies for the Ritters.
“Dad died September 14,” Monica Ritter told ECM. “His memorial service was Sept. 20 and on the 21st, our house burned down.”
ECM met the Ritter family at a fundraiser for Shockey Fire victims held last Friday at the Jacumba community center, where firefighters and community members turned out to raise $1,378.59. The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation had already given over $3500 to the families during recovery after the fire—but now fire victims need additional help to rebuild their lives as the cold season draws near.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The editor of the Chaldean Times in Detroit, Michigan has asked that we provide a link to their recent articles on elections in which Chaldean candidates were running for office. El Cajon has the second highest population of Iraqi Chaldean Christians in the U.S., after Detroit.
October 18, 2012(San Diego) -- A six-part marketing seminar series directed at micro, small and mid-size business owners/managers. The first class was a sell-out, prompting the opening of a second session on developing a marketing plan on October 25th.
"This is the time of year when business owners and managers should be reviewing the successes and challenges of the past year and putting together a marketing plan for 2013 so they can hit the ground running come January 2nd," says Rama Beerfas, Chief Solutions Specialist at Lev Promotions and seminar presenter.
Rama Beerfas, Lev Promotions' Chief Solutions Specialist and Seminar Presenter
October 18, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A suspect is in custody after a violent incident at 8866 Lamar in Spring Valley yesterday morning. IPN reports that an armed man in a vehicle rammed another vehicle, sparking an incident in which medics were requested.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather service has issued a hazardous weather statement for our region. Elevated fire weather conditions are forecast for the next week due to hot, dry conditions in the mountains and gusty northeast to east winds in deserts and foothills. The most severe conditions are expected Thursday.
Yesterday, record high temperatures were set in El Cajon (102), Ramona (98) and Escondido (100).
How Their Histories Shaped 79th Assembly District Candidates Mary England, Dr. Shirley Weber
Story and photos by Mark Gabrish Conlan
October 12, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Throughout their adult lives, Republican Mary England has been a businesswoman and Dr. Shirley Weber, a Democrat, has been a teacher. That’s the most important thing you need to know about the two rival candidates for California State Assembly from the newly created 79th District.
Throughout their interviews for East County Magazine, they kept coming back to their professional backgrounds and how those shaped not only their private lives but also their public ones. On just about every issue, including how to balance Californians’ desires for government programs with their limited willingness to pay for them in taxes, their fundamentally different life histories shape their views.
Upate: Patch.com has coverage of a Lemon Grove Council candidate debate: http://patch.com/A-zfM4
Six candidates vie for seats
By Mark Gabrish Conlan
October 14, 2012 (Lemon Grove)--When the Republican Party swept the 2010 elections nationwide, their triumph stretched as far down as the small city of Lemon Grove in east San Diego County. The Lemon Grove City Council switched from a Democratic to a Republican majority, and in looking for items to cut from their budget they zeroed in on the city’s recreation department.
The vote wasn’t totally party-line. Democratic Mayor Mary Sessom joined Republican Councilmembers Mary England and Howard Cook in eliminating the recreation department and its annual budget of up to $260,000 per year, while Republican Councilmember Jerry Jones joined Democrat George Gastil in voting to keep it.
But the debate over community services versus fiscal responsibility, and the lingering bitterness of some Lemon Grove residents and civic activists over the Council targeting recreation to balance the city’s budget, has become the main theme of the 2012 Lemon Grove City Council race.
October 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly 50 industrial-scale renewable energy projects are planned in San Diego’s East County and neighboring Imperial County. San Diego Supervisors will vote Dec. 5 on a wind ordinance that could open vast tracts of scenic areas and rural communities to skyscraper-sized wind turbines to harness renewable power. There are costs, however, to ther environment and risks to health and safety of residents, including heightened fire danger.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, ECM editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest speaker at the East County Democratic Club, making a presentation on impacts these big energy projects pose for on our region. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Program starts at 7 p.m., if you wish to purchase dinner, arrive at 6 p.m.
If you would like a presentation on wind energy issues to your organization, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org to arrange for a speaker or a Powerpoint presentation that you may use.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – There are numerous important initiatives on the November 6 ballot. Topics include education funding, clean energy, criminal penalties, taxes and labeling what’s in your food. For our nonpartisan analysis and arguments on both sides of each proposition, click the links below.
Raúl Alcalá presides over event to promote bike riding
By Dennis Moore
Photos by Eric Regan
October 17, 2012 (Tijuana)--An estimated 3,000 cyclists took to Tijuana streets Tuesday evening “Pedaling Toward Greatness,” as part of Tijuana Innovadora.
The 20-kilometer ride capped a day at the conference focused on the medical industry.
October 17, 2012 (Ramona) -- Ramona CERT was among eight beneficiaries named in the inaugural 2012 awards made by the newly formed affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, The Ramona Community Foundation. The team was presented with a check for $4,000 during a reception at the Ramona Community Library on Saturday, October 6.
Pictured from L-R: Shelley Stefanyszyn, Don Scott, John Degenfelder, Chair-The Ramona Community Foundation, Wes Brustad*, Board Mbr-The Ramona Community Foundation, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Burke Kremensky, Barry Davis*, and Philip Savage. Photo Credit: Maureen Robertson *San Diego Country Estates’ residents
October 17, 2012 (Vallecito)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Vallecito County Park Water System located at 37349 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA, 92036 effective immediately.
The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office announces several events to raise funds for Sheriff's Child Abuse Detective Ali Perez. Detective Perez was shot and wounded with Sergeant Craig Johnson while they were attempting to arrest a suspected child molester in Lakeside in September.
Sgt. Johnson is recovering at home.
Det. Perez face many months of recovery in the hospital. It is unknown if or when he will return to work. This incident has been a financial hardship for the Perez Family including his two daughters in college.
Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown
October 14, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) - The Halloween Spirit has taken over Cottonwood Golf Club. A 10,000 square foot maze is being constructed with hay bales on Cottonwood's driving range. It's been labled "Scary Maze" and it opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.
October 14, 2012 (Otay) - Over 25 vehicles and three homes were vandalized last night or this morning in the 1800 block of Magdalena Avenue and on side streets in Otay Ranch.
"The damage consisted mostly of spray paint on cars, garage doors or broken car windows," stated Lt. Eric Thunberg with Chula Vista Police. "Some of the damage consisted of crudely drawn swastikas or parts of the human body."
October 14, 2012 (Pala) – A coalition fighting to stop out-of-town investors from developing a garbage dump in Gregory Canyon near Pala will rally at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 20. Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Shasta Gaughen, EPA Director of the Pala Indians will be among the speakers and honored guests. The event will also feature traditional bird singing to protect Gregory Canyon as well as information on the fight to save the sacred mountain, which includes rock paintings and a medicine rock.
October 13, 2012 (Otay)—Incumbent Otay Water District board member Mark Robak faces three challengers for Seat 5: water manager David Charles, civil engineer Ronald Ripperger, and retired civil engineer Tim Stanton. East County Magazine sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates. Ripperger and Stanton did not respond. Replies from Charles and Robak are published below.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has made arrangements to offer children’s art classes for the first time. Nora Kearney-Johnson will offer four classes each Saturday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 10.
“We have been working on offering children’s art classes for over a year and Nora has the perfect program for us,” said Jay Wilson, executive director at Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. For more information and to sign up, visit: http://www.mtrp.org/news.asp?idno=250652
October 14, 2012 (Tijuana) -- Four Mexican designers presented a historic fashion show Sunday night outdoors as part of the Tijuana Innovadora conference before a standing-room audience of more than 700 fans. It was the first time such a large-scale show had been presented in the border city.
The designers were Louis Verdad and Ximena Valero, both based in Los Angeles, and Emedel Garcia and Daniela Villa, from Tijuana.
October 11, 2012 (Spring Valley)- Retiree Randy Dibb wants to run for the San Miguel fire board because he has “concern for the district” and wants to bring “changes.” His values include satisfying the needs of the constituents coupled with the dramatic changes in the way the district does business, and putting together a viable budget within the current concerns of the district.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Challenger Barbara Stevens has been a writer/editor for over 35 years. She grew up in San Diego, attended Point Loma High School and San Diego State University.
She wants to focus “on the kids more so than adults, focus on student achievement, education, the students’ and districts’ needs.”Stevens was motivated to run because her daughter went through the district, graduating from Helix Charter in 2008 and recently graduating from California State University San Marcos.
October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa is serious about eradicating graffiti thanks to an organized program and dedicated volunteers, the city’s Focus publication reports. La Mesa participates in the countywide Graffiti Tracker program, where all graffiti is photographed and logged by area and “tag.”
The goal is to remove all graffiti within 72 hours, though often graffiti is eliminated within 24 hours.
Local sports-themed hair care provider challenges team members and clients to make calls home possible for deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members through VFW’s Operation Uplink™
October 16, 2012 (Santee) -- Beginning October 15, Sport Clips Haircuts in Santee at 9349 Mission Gorge Road will join more than 950 of the franchise’s locations across the country in launching its annual “Help A Hero” fundraising campaign to support the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Operation Uplink™.
Trustee defends stances on Alpine High and bond monies amid reported Grand Jury probe
By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Elected to the Grossmont Union High School District Board in 2008, Gary Woods, Ed.D., is a professor of psychology at Southern California Seminary who says he has been an advocate of modernizing high school campuses and bringing technology into classrooms, although he opposed bond measures that provided that funding and is staunchly against new taxes.
Other priorities include "risk students and graduation success, best practices in secondary education, business internships, character development and charter school reform."
October 14, 2012 (San Diego)—November's election has big impacts for our region, our nation and our world--with San Diego poised to be a leader in the emerging green economy.
Should our region’s needs be met by rooftop solar or industrial wind projects in our backcountry? Should the San Onofre nuclear reactors be shut down? How can we fuel San Diego’s economy and create green jobs? In what ways should transportation and water issues be addressed—and what about global climate change? These were among the topics of lively discussion at the San Diego Green Candidates forum on October 4, where candidates for Congress, Assembly, Mayor and Supervisor shared their ideas on these important issues and more.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Over 50 industrial-scale "renewable" energy projects may soon change forever the face of our region in San Diego's East County and neighboring Imperial County.
Many are on formerly protected federal lands. Nationally, 370 million acres of public lands are targeted for big renewable energy projects -- twice the size of Texas!
ECM editor Miriam Raftery has prepared a Powerpoint presentation for organizations that wish to educate their members about the impacts of these projects--and the alternatives. To view our Powerpoint presentation, click here.
Update January 28, 2013: Our original presentation raised questions on wind speeds in Ocotillo. Following the project's completion, six weeks of videos document the lack of wind. An ECM investigation found this is not unusual; many projects around the world have failed to live up to wind speed claims and some countries are now revoking subsidies. Yet surprisingly, the Bureau of Land Management says it does not require energy companies to provide proof of energy production levels after projects are built. This revelation further casts doubt on the wisdom of destroying public lands with public monies.
October 16, 2012 (El Cajon)--The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will be visiting Johnson Elementary School in El Cajon today to meet with students during two assemblies. They'll be teaching students about the "ABC*s of Bullying" - a Harlem Globetrotters pilot anti-bullying awareness program.
The ABC’s of Bullying Prevention program originated through partnership with the National Campaign to Stop Violence. Each year, the nonprofit organization hosts its Do the Write Thing Challenge. Last year, 60,000 middle-school students wrote essays on violence in their lives—and the most frequent experiences described by students traced back to bullying.
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha announces comedy performances on Friday nights at the Mesa Grill, Holiday Inn La Mesa. The program debuts October 19 with comics from NBC’s Friday night, the Latino Laugh Festival and Comedy Central’s Danny Villalpando as well as the “Amazing” Al Gavi.
By Dennis Moore
October 18, 2012 -- (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:
among nine families who lost everything in the Shockey Fire last month. The home they were renting burned to the ground and they had no insurance. But that’s just the latest in a string of tragedies for the Ritters.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The editor of the Chaldean Times in Detroit, Michigan has asked that we provide a link to their recent articles on elections in which Chaldean candidates were running for office. El Cajon has the second highest population of Iraqi Chaldean Christians in the U.S., after Detroit.
October 18, 2012(San Diego) -- A six-part marketing seminar series directed at micro, small and mid-size business owners/managers. The first class was a sell-out, prompting the opening of a second session on developing a marketing plan on October 25th.
October 18, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A suspect is in custody after a violent incident at 8866 Lamar in Spring Valley yesterday morning. IPN reports that an armed man in a vehicle rammed another vehicle, sparking an incident in which medics were requested.
Story and photos by Mark Gabrish Conlan
Upate: Patch.com has coverage of a Lemon Grove Council candidate debate: 
October 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly 50 industrial-scale renewable energy projects are planned in San Diego’s East County and neighboring Imperial County. San Diego Supervisors will vote Dec. 5 on a wind ordinance that could open vast tracts of scenic areas and rural communities to skyscraper-sized wind turbines to harness renewable power. There are costs, however, to ther environment and risks to health and safety of residents, including heightened fire danger.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – There are numerous important initiatives on the November 6 ballot. Topics include education funding, clean energy, criminal penalties, taxes and labeling what’s in your food. For our nonpartisan analysis and arguments on both sides of each proposition, click the links below.
Raúl Alcalá presides over event to promote bike riding
October 17, 2012 (Ramona) -- Ramona CERT was among eight beneficiaries named in the inaugural 2012 awards made by the newly formed affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, The Ramona Community Foundation. The team was presented with a check for $4,000 during a reception at the Ramona Community Library on Saturday, October 6.
October 17, 2012 (Vallecito)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Vallecito County Park Water System located at 37349 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA, 92036 effective immediately.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office announces several events to raise funds for Sheriff's Child Abuse Detective Ali Perez. Detective Perez was shot and wounded with Sergeant Craig Johnson while they were attempting to arrest a suspected child molester in Lakeside in September.
Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown
October 14, 2012 (Otay) - Over 25 vehicles and three homes were vandalized last night or this morning in the 1800 block of Magdalena Avenue and on side streets in Otay Ranch.
October 14, 2012 (Pala) – A coalition fighting to stop out-of-town investors from developing a garbage dump in Gregory Canyon near Pala will rally at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 20. Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Shasta Gaughen, EPA Director of the Pala Indians will be among the speakers and honored guests. The event will also feature traditional bird singing to protect Gregory Canyon as well as information on the fight to save the sacred mountain, which includes rock paintings and a medicine rock.
October 13, 2012 (Otay)—Incumbent Otay Water District board member Mark Robak faces three challengers for Seat 5: water manager David Charles, civil engineer Ronald Ripperger, and retired civil engineer Tim Stanton. East County Magazine sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates. Ripperger and Stanton did not respond. Replies from Charles and Robak are published below.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has made arrangements to offer children’s art classes for the first time. Nora Kearney-Johnson will offer four classes each Saturday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 10.
October 14, 2012 (Tijuana) -- Four Mexican designers presented a historic fashion show Sunday night outdoors as part of the Tijuana Innovadora conference before a standing-room audience of more than 700 fans. It was the first time such a large-scale show had been presented in the border city.
By Janis Mork
By Janis Mork
October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa is serious about eradicating graffiti thanks to an organized program and dedicated volunteers, the city’s Focus publication reports. La Mesa participates in the countywide Graffiti Tracker program, where all graffiti is photographed and logged by area and “tag.” 
Local sports-themed hair care provider challenges team members and clients to make calls home possible for deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members through VFW’s Operation Uplink™
ork and Miriam Raftery
Story by Miriam Raftery, videos by Paul Kruze
By MIriam Raftery
October 16, 2012 (El Cajon)--The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will be visiting Johnson Elementary School in El Cajon today to meet with students during two assemblies. They'll be teaching students about the "ABC*s of Bullying" - a Harlem Globetrotters pilot anti-bullying awareness program.
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