September 15, 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:
WORLD
World markets sink amid Europe debt worries (NPR)
Egyptian protesters pull down Israeli embassy wall (Reuters)
China losing edge as low-cost manufacturer, KPMG says (BBC)
U.S.
Obama’s bill makes it illegal to discriminate against unemployed (The Hill)
Nation looks ahead with hope after remembering 9/11 victims (CNN)
NATO: 77 US troops injured after Taliban hit Afghan/coalition base (CNN)
Student loan default rates jump (Union-Tribune)
HEALTH
Insulin may slow Alzheimer’s, study finds (Los Angeles Times)
Gene find could lead to drugs for chronic pain (BBC)
September 15, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Four breaking news incidents impacting traffic have occurred in Jacumba, Alpine, El Cajon and Escondido, including a fatality accident and another with serious injuries. Other road closures have occurred due to a gas line break and a small brush fire.
September 15, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top news stories of interest to our region, published in other media. This week's top Roundup stories include:
LOCAL
SDUSD may close 10 San Diego schools (10 News)
East County college district adopts lean budget (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Sewer problems highlight region’s utility weak spots (San Diego Union-Tribune)
Grossmont High School District hopes for ‘soft landing’ in case of midyear cuts (La Mesa Patch)
Fiery ball seen streaking across SoCal sky (10 News)
Underlying cause of the Southwestern blackout, Sept. 8, 2011: Failure of the smart grid (La Mesa Patch)
Congresswoman Davis: Campaign robbed of $250,000 (10 News)
Helix grad Shoshana Hebshi makes world news (passenger detained in Detroit) (La Mesa Patch)
Sempra announces new company president
STATE
Jerry Brown calls for ‘war on unemployment’ (Sacramento Bee)
Chamber of Commerce wins big on its “job killer” list (Sacramento Bee)
Mercury chairman dumps $8 million into insurance initiative drive (Sacramento Bee)
September 14, 2011 (San Diego) – I-5 is now open and a SIG alert cancelled following collapse of a construction platform that landed on vehicles and injured 11 people, one seriously, at the San Ysidro border crossing this afternoon.
September 13, 2011 (Santee) -- Last year's inagural Santee Wine & Bluegrass Festival was a surprise success that hit all of the right notes in this friendly East County community.
September 12, 2011 (Escondido) – Get a close-up look at what fresh and local agriculture is all about from those who know it best: San Diego farmers! On Saturday, Oct. 15, six local growers will open their farms to the public for San Diego County Farm Bureau’s second annual Farm Tour Day, with guided walking tours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Projects Funded by Proposition H, Proposition U School Bonds
Sept. 14, 2011 (El Cajon) –Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) announced today that in preparation for the start of the new academic year, summer construction work is wrapping up on nine campus improvement projects throughout the East County as part of the Proposition H and Proposition U school bond programs.
September 14, 2011 (Alpine) – Robert Scheid, vice president of community and public relations at the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, has submitted these photos of tribal members participating in a ceremony at the Viejas reservation to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
On Sunday, September 11, 2011, a wreath was placed at the Eternal Flame located at the Viejas Outlets in remembrance of the tragic events of September 11, 2001, and in honor of the victims of the terrorists attacks, their families and first responders.
September 14, 2011 (Alpine)--Butterfly lovers of all ages are invited to attend Monarch Mania on Sunday, Sept. 18 at Viejas Outlets Show Court, 5005 Willow Road in Alpine.Monarch Mania will feature a live Monarch butterfly release at 2 pm, caterpillar races, sale of Monarch host plants, and a chrysalis tree where onlookers will watch butterflies emerge before their very eyes throughout the day.Admission is free. Event hours are 10 am to 6 pm.
By Steve Doss, Wells Fargo’s SBA Regional Manager for the Southern California Market
September 14, 2011 (San Diego) -- “What does it really take for a small business owner to get a loan from a bank today?” It’s one of the top questions our bankers hear – and I would like to share our answer to this question.
September 14, 2011 (Pine Valley) – The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a boil water order for Cibbetts Flats Campground at Kitchen Creek Road & Fred Canyon Road in Pine Valley. The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli.
September 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Lightning strikes have ignited two small brush fires in Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, Cal Fire confirms.
September 10, 2011 (San Diego) – This week’s blackout reminded many San Diegans of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. On October 7, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties will provide training on your rights to help during a major disaster such as a wildfire or earthquake.
September 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa will host the 10th annual Kids Care Fest on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event features free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.
September 11, 2011 (Jacumba) -- Residents of Jacumba are planning a protest march at the entrance of Bornt & Sons Organic Farm on Saturday, September 17th at 10 a.m.
September 12, 2011 (Del Cerro) – Scott Martin, 51, has been arrested and pled not guilty to five counts of possessing a destructive device in a public place and one count of endangering his four year old son.
September 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Parents, students, staff and community members from throughout Eastern San Diego County are welcome to attend the 2nd Annual iParent event, sponsored by the Grossmont Union High School District.
The event, which will feature keynote speakers Marsha Dodson and Dr. Darlene Willis and their presentationEmpowering Parents: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Child's Educational Journey, will take place on Saturday, September 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallhalla High School.
September 13, 2011 (Jacumba)--Like the residents of Jacumba, I’m frustrated by the lack of progress on the eye gnat infestation and disappointed that the plan to remedy the situation hasn’t been executed properly. As I see it, the problem has three layers:
September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Local residents are swapping stories of how they coped during the biggest blackout ever to hit our region. Their tales vary widely – and show that amid a crisis, attitude is everything! Neighbors helped neighbors—and some hosted impromptu blackout parties.
September 13, 2011 (Escondido) -- What are the needs of working families in the Escondido area? Are those needs being met by schools, the city, and other governmental units?
Tax reforms including “plenty of loopholes to close” should be on the table, Hunter aide suggests
September 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-El Cajon) has issued a press release urging the “Super Committee” tackling debt reduction to reach a timely agreement in order to avoid a trigger clause that would spark massive cuts to U.S. national security.
September 12, 2011 (San Diego County) – September is a beautiful time to head outdoors and enjoy over 350 miles of hiking and biking trails at more than 90 parks in San Diego County spanning 44,000 acres—mostly in East County and our region’s inland areas. Many have organized activities, as do local community and recreation centers. Below are listings for some of the fun activities planned this month. The listings contain the information needed to go to the activities and recreation centers: maps, phone numbers, dates, and special interests.
September 13, 2011 (El Cajon)--Call me cheap and easy. You won’t be the first. But I am OK with that. I LOVE to wear jeans with the knees blown out. It has become ‘my look’ but it is much more than that. It is ME. How bad is that?
September 14, 2011 (San Diego) – To me, the most important part of the film is the first few minutes. At least 90 times out of 100 it’s during that time when I can tell if a movie will be good or bad.
September 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--As the state legislative session came to a close with the usual last minute hustle to get bills passed before midnight Friday, rural residents narrowly escaped a rewritten state fire fee that would have increased many property owners’ bills by hundreds – or even thousands – of dollars per year.
The bill, dubbed SB1X7 in the senate and ABX 1 24 in the assembly is far from dead, however, and could be reintroduced in the new session, which starts Jan. 4, 2012. Meanwhile the Dept. of Finance plans to begin sending bills to property tax owners this fall under the plan originally approved.
ECM exclusive interview
By Miriam Raftery
Video by Jack Winemiller
September 11, 2011 (San Diego) – Congressman and Mayoral candidate Bob Filner spoke with ECM at last weekend's "Big Blue BBQ" for East County Democrats.
Last year's inagural Santee Wine & Bluegrass Festival was a surprise success that hit all of the right notes in this friendly East County community.
September 14, 2011 (Alpine) – Robert Scheid, vice president of community and public relations at the Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians, has submitted these photos of tribal members participating in a ceremony at the Viejas reservation to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. 
September 10, 2011 (San Diego) – This week’s blackout reminded many San Diegans of the importance of being prepared before disaster strikes. On October 7, the ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties will provide training on your rights to help during a major disaster such as a wildfire or earthquake.
September 13, 2011 (Escondido) -- What are the needs of working families in the Escondido area? Are those needs being met by schools, the city, and other governmental units?
Tax reforms including “plenty of loopholes to close” should be on the table, Hunter aide suggests
September 13, 2011 (El Cajon)--Call me cheap and easy. You won’t be the first. But I am OK with that. I LOVE to wear jeans with the knees blown out. It has become ‘my look’ but it is much more than that. It is ME. How bad is that?
By Brian Lafferty
By Billie Jo Jannen
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