HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS

SUNCREST TRUCK TRAIL NOT A VIABLE OPTION FOR FIRE EVACUATION ROUTE IN CREST, ACCORDING TO FIRE OFFICIALS

STATE PARKS PHOTO CONTEST RUNNING THROUGH SEPT. 30

ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: INSIDE THE BINGE AND UNDERAGE DRINKING INITIATIVE’S 2025 ANNUAL STATUS REPORT FOR COUNTY

DEAF MONGOLIAN IMMIGRANT HELD BY ICE IN OTAY MESA FOR MONTHS WITHOUT ACCESS TO INTERPRETER

GROCERY WORKERS AT RALPHS, ALBERTSONS, VONS, AND PAVILIONS VOTE RATIFY NEW CONTRACTS

WALMART RECALLING OZARK STAINLESS STEEL WATER BOTTLES

LA MESA CITY COUNCIL APPROVES RENOVATIONS FOR GROSSMONT CENTER

SANDAG LOOKING FOR COMMUNITY INPUT; ZOOM MEETING ON JULY 16

LA MESA BECOMES FIRST LOCAL CITY CERTIFIED AS AGE-FRIENDLY EMPLOYER, HELPING JOB SEEKERS AGE 50 AND UP

YOU'RE INVITED! JULY 17 FEAST AT HIMALAYAN CUISINE IN LA MESA WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE'S DINING CLUB

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT WEST NILE VIRUS SPREAD: COUNTY TO HOLD PROGRAM SATURDAY IN LA MESA

ATTORNEY WHO ARGUED ROE V. WADE TO DELIVER KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT WOMEN’S REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS CONFERENCE AT THOMAS JEFFERSON SCHOOL OF LAW FEB.24

 

Reproductive Justice Still Hot Topic as 50th Anniversary of Landmark Case Approaches 

February 16, 2012 (San Diego) --  Reproductive rights is the focus of Thomas Jefferson School of Law's 12th Annual Women and the Law Conference on Friday, February 24, 2012. The highlight of the conference will be the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Lecture, which will be delivered by Dr. Sarah Weddington, the Texas attorney who made history when she successfully argued the landmark Roe v. Wade case before the United States Supreme Court.

 

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 
 
February 16, 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:    
 
WORLD 
 
  • Israelis: Iran behind Bangkok bombings: coordinated attacks around the world (CNN)
  • Israel warns US Jews: Iran could attack here (ABC)
  • Heightened security in U.S. over Iran threat (ABC) 
 U.S. 
  • Congressional negotiators reach tentative deal on payroll tax, unemployment benefits (Washington Post)
  • Lobbyists sue Obama administration after being booted from boards (The Hill)
  • Obama signs $63B FAA funding bill into law (The Hill)
  • U.S. seeks to mine social media to predict future (UT San Diego)
 
Health   
  • Alzheimer’s brain plaque ‘rapidly cleared’ in mice (BBC)
  • How your cat is making you crazy (Atlantic)
 
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories. 

2 LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS COAUTHOR BILL TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE OF CORPORATE CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS

 

 
February 15, 2012 (Washington, D.C.) -- Two San Diego Congressional representatives, Susan Davis and Bob Filner, have taken steps to clean up the secret money plaguing our political system.  Both Democrats have joined colleagues in cosponsoring the Disclose 2012 Act (H.R. 4010) to require disclosure of the corporate and special interest money in politics.

REPRESENTATIVE HUNTER TO HOST JOB FAIR FEB. 24

 
February 15, 2012 (Poway) — Representative Duncan Hunter (R-El cajon)--announced today that he will host another community job fair, in partnership with the East and North County Career Centers, and the San Diego North and Poway Chambers of Commerce. The event will be held February 24, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Poway Community Center auditorium, 13094 Civic Center Drive.  Admission is free.

 

SMILE! JOIN A CENTENNIAL PHOTO SHOOT FEB. 18 IN LA MESA

 

 
February 13,2012 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Centennial Committee invites you to join in forming a human “100” to honor La Mesa’s 100th birthday.  A “Century of Smiles” photo shoot will take place on February 18 at 7 a.m. on the upper level of the Grossmont Center parking garage. Refreshments will be provided, plus free t-shirts to the first 300 participants.  

 

WIND SPIN: PUFFED-UP CLAIMS FROM THE WIND POWER LOBBY. AND SOME OPPONENTS.

 

February 15, 2012  (Pennsylvania) -- Reprinted with permission from FactCheck.org (a project of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania)
 
Originally published February 9, 2012 at http://www.factcheck.org/2012/02/wind-spin/ 
 
Summary
 
The wind-power lobby is spinning the facts in a $1.4-million TV ad campaign aimed at extending a lucrative tax break worth billions to the industry.

MIDDLE CLASS SCHOLARSHIP ACT COULD REDUCE COLLEGE FEES FOR CALIFORNIA STUDENTS BY TWO-THIRDS

Bill would be paid for by closing a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations

 

By Megan McGlamery

February 14, 2012 (Sacramento)--In an effort to make college more accesible for students of all economic backgrounds, Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D- Los Angeles) has introduced the Middle Class Scholarship Act. This groundbreaking piece of legislation could cut fees in the California State University (CSU) and University of California (UC) systems by two-thirds for students whose family incomes are less than $150,000 and who do not already receive financial aid.

ENDORSEMENT BATTLES IN TWO SAN DIEGO-AREA CONGRESSIONAL RACES STIR CONTROVERSY

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 12, 2012 (San Diego) – At this weekend’s California Democratic Convention, the statewide party issued pre-primary endorsements in three Congressional races but declined to make an early endorsement in two other races.

PERSONAL SAFETY AWARENESS SEMINAR PRESENTED BY LA MESA POLICE MARCH 1

 

February 14, 2012 La Mesa -- On March 1, 2012, the La Mesa Police Department will be presenting a personal safety seminar which is open to the public.  This seminar will consist of both lecture and demonstration by La Mesa Police Department’s Defensive Tactics Instructors and they will address a number of personal safety questions.  What do street predators look for in a victim? What do you do if you find yourself in a dangerous situation? How do you quickly escape danger in the event of an assault? These questions will be answered during this seminar.  This seminar is designed for adult men and women. 

CALIFORNIA IS “BATTLEFIELD” STATE, LOCAL CONGRESSIONAL RACE AMONG KEY TARGETED DISTRICTS FOR DEMOCRATS, EX-SPEAKER PELOSI ANNOUNCES IN SAN DIEGO

 

Story and photo by Nadin Abbott

February 12, 2012 (San Diego) – Declaring it time to “regain control of the people’s House from the special interests,” California Democratic Party Chairman hosted a joint press conference with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in San Diego, site of the 2012 California Democratic Convention themed “Battleground California.” 

DALAI LAMA WILL VISIT SAN DIEGO APRIL 18 & 19

 

 Tickets go on sale Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.
 
February 14, 2012 (San Diego)-- The 14th Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of Tibet, will make his first trip to San Diego April 18 and 19 for public events at San Diego State University, the University of San Diego and the University of California, San Diego.
 
The Compassion Without Borders symposium will include three major public events: 

BIRD TALK: THE REGAL OSPREY

 

 
By Greg Dunne
                                                
February 14, 2012  (Lake Murray) --  One of the royalty members of the skies in the bird world is the Osprey. The king of raptors may go to the Bald Eagle, but on an equal hierarchy as the Eagle is the magnificence Sea Hawk, Fish Hawk, Sea Eagle--  more commonly known today as the Osprey.

TAX FIGHTER TO SPEAK FEB. 21 AT CAJON VALLEY REPUBLICAN WOMEN FEDERATED

 

 
February 14, 2012 (El Cajon)--The Cajon Valley Republican Women Federated will hold its monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 a.m. at The Pancake House restaurant, 1000 North Second Street. The guest speaker is Brian Brady, director of Stop Taxing Us, a north county based taxpayer advocacy group dedicated to holding candidates and elected officials accountable to California's taxpayers.

DOES MEDICARE'S USE OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ENABLE IDENTITY THEFT?

By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

 
February 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Identity theft, a growing problem, is regularly in the news. We are warned to keep our Social Security numbers safe, to not carry our SSN cards with us.  But recently, I joined the ranks of Medicare recipients and, to my surprise, found that my Medicare number is my SSN number--and we are instructed to carry it with us at all times.

 

CHEERS! EL CAJON BREWING COMPANY SERVES UP MICROBREWS AND A FRESH MENU

 

By Mia Myklebust

February 12, 2012 (El Cajon)--When El Cajon Brewing Company opened in October, it joined the ranks of San Diego’s beer elite. The growing brewery culture in San Diego had a gap in East County that this local brewery and restaurant has filled with gusto.


From filling food to an array of craft beers brewed on site this El Cajon newcomer is well worth savoring.

ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION CHAIR MARTY BLOCK CO-AUTHORS LEGISLATION TO MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE

 

February 10, 2012 (Sacramento)-- Assemblymember Marty Block (D-78th District),  Chair of the Assembly Higher Education Committee, has joined Speaker John A. Pérez on legislation that will keep college fees down for middle class families. The Middle Class Scholarship, which was introduced by Speaker Pérez today, will close a tax loophole for out-of-state corporations in order to cut college fees for middle income families.

 

THE WOMAN WHO STOOD ALONE AGAINST THE “THIEVING BANKS”

How Kamala Harris played hardball and won $18 billion to help California homeowners 

Story by Miriam Raftery, photos by Ron Logan

February 13, 2012 (San Diego) – Last September, the U.S. Department of Justice and attorney generals from other states were ready to sign a multi-state settlement of misconduct by banks that resulted in foreclosures.  The deal on the table? An estimated $4 billion or less for California, the state hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. Moreover, no wrongdoers would be prosecuted.

So California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris stood up—and walked out. 

Her actions led to a dramatically different settlement reached last week that is expected to ultimately reach $40 billion—including an estimated $18 billion for California and $1.5 billion for San Diego homeowners.

READER’S EDITORIAL: COUNTY SHOULD REJECT EYE GNAT VECTOR ORDINANCE – UNLESS KEY AMENDMENTS ARE MADE

 
An Open Letter To the Honorable Supervisors on the Proposed Ordinance Amending San Diego county’s Regulatory Ordinances Relating to Vector Control
 
By Danielle Cook                  
 
February 13, 2012 (Jacumba) --I am a resident of Jacumba, a member of JAG (Jacumba Against Gnats), Secretary of the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Alliance and one of the four (total) community representatives that participated on the EGIWG committee that produced the proposed new ordinance draft.

KROC KIDS CASTING CALL FEB 28TH AND MARCH 1ST

 

 February 13, 2012 (San Diego) -- Kroc Kids Junior Theater Company is holding a casting call for all skill levels age 7-18 for the upcoming production of “Once Upon a Mattress” with performance dates of May 25-27th.   Tuesday, February 28th 4:30-6:30 p.m. is the music audition, come prepared to sing with a CD for accompaniment. Thursday,  March 1st from 4:30-6:30 p.m. is  for callbacks and the dance audition. 

 

OCCUPY PROTESTS AT CALIFORNIA DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

By Nadin Abbott

February 13, 2012 (San Diego)--Several Occupy groups came together to protest outside the San Diego Convention Center at the California Democratic Convention on Saturday.

Around 100 people, including 40 local protesters and 60 from other areas including Los Angeles and Riverside, sought to draw attention of Democratic leaders and delegates. Issues included corporate power, civil liberties, homelessness and foreclosures. 

VETERAN BUFFALO SOLDIERS AND DESCENDANTS RIDE AGAIN AT LEMON GROVE HISTORICAL SOCIETY MEETING

 
“Throughout history, it was hard for black men, with no education. They couldn’t become officers. They weren’t trained right. African-Americans were always left with the worst equipment (like hats and shoes) while the white officers made 50 cents more.” – Trooper John Green
 
By Megan McGlamery
 
February 10, 2012 (Lemon Grove) In celebration of Black History Month, the Lemon Grove Historical Society hosted members of the San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Buffalo Soldiers. Dressed in authentic uniforms, the speakers—including veterans of the famed regiment and their descendants--explained the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, as well as their importance to the San Diego community.

MONTH-LONG UNIVERSITY AVENUE SEWER PIPE REPLACEMENT STARTS FEB. 15

 

February 14, 2012 (La Mesa)-- The City of La Mesa has awarded a construction contract to replace the sewer pipe beneath University Avenue from Massachusetts Avenue to Harbinson Avenue.  Construction is scheduled to take place at night, between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6 a.m. beginning February 15. The work is expected to take four weeks to complete.

 

Looking for Love? Beware of Online Dating Scams

By Darrell Foxworth, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Diego

February 14, 2012 (San Diego)--Millions of Americans visit online dating websites every year, hoping to find a companion or even a soul mate. But today, on Valentine’s Day, we want to warn you that criminals use these sites, too, looking to turn the lonely and vulnerable into fast money through a variety of scams.

FBI, POLICE AND SHERIFF SEEK PUBLIC’S HELP TO IDENTIFY BANK ROBBER WHO HAS STRUCK SANTEE 3 TIMES

 

 
Latest Robbery was at U.S. Bank, 9643 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, California

February 12, 2012 (Santee)--The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), San Diego Police and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify an unknown man dubbed the “Insistent Bandit.” He is believed responsible for four bank robberies dating back to January 17.

 

LOVE YOUR HEART FOR VALENTINE’S DAY

 County Offers Free Blood Pressure Screenings on Feb. 14



February 12, 2012 (San Diego)--A healthy heart is the best gift on Valentine’s Day—and all year. On Feb. 10, County officials and community partners kicked off the “Love Your Heart” campaign to help residents take charge of their own health by offering free blood pressure screenings.
 
Chairman Ron Roberts launches the “Love Your Heart” campaign. He is joined by Donald Turko from County Dept. of Human Resources, Minh Nguyen from US HealthWorks, Dr. Nick Yphantides from HHSA, Mary Ann Barnes from Kaiser and Nick Macchione, HHSA Director.

 

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