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Jamul Casino continues to support Black-led organizations

County helps businesses prepare for federal enforcement actions

Calif. Attorney General asks for help to identify “unlawful” activity of ICE and Border Patrol

SDFC in first CONCACAF tilt with UNAM tonight

First-Ever Spring Valley Changemakers Summit Feb. 19 set to connect community and inspire action

Get RAMped up and ready for a new radio station out of Borrego Springs

Deadlock with Iran: U.S. military threats escalate tensions amid rising violence

La Mesa City Council unanimously approves changes to sidewalk dining guidelines

Found: Missing woman Tiffanie Russ

SDPD releases body cam video of officer-involved shooting in Spring Valley

Founder of Lions, Tigers and Bears urges public to oppose 'Protecting Local Zoos Act'

SOLAR FOR RENTERS & HOMEOWNERS: SDG&E TO EXPAND LOCAL SOLAR MARKET, INCREASE CUSTOMER ACCESS

 

Pilot Program Will Offer Solar Options for All Customers

January 18, 2012 – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has filed with the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for approval of its new solar proposal called “connected…..to the sun.”  The proposal complements rooftop solar and includes two different pilot programs that would give all SDG&E customers options to buy solar power even if they do not own a home, cannot afford a solar investment, or do not have the ability to put photovoltaic panels on their roof. 

Customers could choose to buy all or some of their energy from solar projects located in SDG&E’s service territory or negotiate directly with a local solar provider.   

A DIGITAL STRIKE? MAJOR WEBSITES INCLUDING WIKIPEDIA TO GO DARK ON WEDNESDAY

 

By Nadin Abbott

“SOPA and PIPA go too far, allowing the government to take down any website for even a single unintentional post with copyrighted material. Even a comment posted by a reader could be enough to get a site shut down.” –ECM Editor Miriam Raftery

January 18, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--On Wednesday Wikipedia and many other major sites will go dark to protest the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and the Protect IP Act (PIPA,).  Other sites such as Google will remain on line, but post protest messages opposing the bills on their homepages.  

MULTIPLICITY ART EXHIBIT AT HYDE ART GALLERY JAN. 23-FEB 23; ARTIST OPENING SET FOR JAN. 31

 
January 17, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The Hyde Art Gallery at Grossmont College opens its spring semester with “Mmmultiplicy” Installation Works by Lea Anderson.  This exhibition runs from January 23 to February 23, with an artist opening even on Tuesday, January 31 from 7-9 p.m. 

 

“10 AND UNDER TENNIS” IN LA MESA STARTS FEB. 6

 
January 17, 2012 (La Mesa)— The City of La Mesa is serving up “10 and Under Tennis”  for kids.  This is a new method using the QuickStart format to learn the game of tennis in a fun, fast, and effective way. Kids will use shorter lighter rackets, slower and lower-bouncing balls, smaller court dimensions and modified scoring systems tailored to the age and size of the child.

 

FBI AND SAN DIEGO SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT SEEK PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO IDENTIFY PACIFIC WEST BANK ROBBER


January 17, 2012 (Santee) -- The FBI and San Diego Sheriff’s Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify a man who robbed the Pacific West Bank, 9955 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, California, on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

PLEDGE DRIVE MOUNTED TO SAVE PALOMAR STATE PARK FROM CLOSURE

 

Update: 20% of $60,000 funding goal met so far; pledges sought from public

New! View a video of what may be lost:  http://palomarsp.org/friends/save_palomar_video_standard.htm

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2012 (Palomar) –  Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park has submitted a plan to the California Dept. of Parks and Recreation that could prevent the park from closing permanently on July 1 due to budget cuts. The group seeks pledges from inidividuals in hopes of reaching $60,000.  [Editor's note: 16% of the goal was met when we posted this. Now on Jan. 17, 20% of the goal has been met. Thanks to our readers who helped! I made a pledge and hope many more of you will help save this beautiful place!)

 To pledge, visit www.friendsofpalomarsp.org. (You won't be asked to pay unless State Parks agrees to the plan.) To  learn more and see photos of what’s at stake, see ECM’s story on Palomar State Park at http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/5539

SEASON FOR NONVIOLENCE: AZIM KHAMISA, FATHER OF SLAIN SON, TO SPEAK JANUARY 29 IN EL CAJON

January 17, 2012 (El Cajon)--World-renowned speaker Azim Khamisa on January 29, 2012 will kick off the 15th annual "Season for Nonviolence" at Christ Church Unity in El Cajon. Khamisa, who has been praised by dignitaries including the Dalai Llama and former President Bill Clinton, delivers his inspirational message following the senseless-gang-related death of his son, Tariq in 1995.

READER’S EDITORIAL: ADA COMPLIANCE WORKSHOP FEB. 3 IS A MUST IN DIFFICULT ECONOMIC TIMES

 

Workshop set for Feb. 3 in Lakeside

Co-Authored by Senator Joel Anderson, 36th District, Kathy Kassel, Executive Director, Lakeside Chamber of Commerce, and John Olsen – Executive Director, Santee Chamber of Commerce

January 17, 2012 (Lakeside)--Employers already struggling to survive in California’s difficult business climate can’t afford to take their eye off another lurking hazard: lawsuit abuse. 

SOLDIER’S FACEBOOK POST RAISES QUESTIONS ABOUT U.S. SPECIAL FORCES IN SYRIA

 
Update February 4, 2012 -- The Department of Defense still has not listed the death of Jay Polk, nor has any notice of his death been published in New Iberia, Louisiana, where he claimed to live.  A source informs ECM further that his name has not been provided for addition to a memorial for special forces soldiers. Thus it now appears he was not killed in service to his country and likely fabricated the "report" of his death and possibly his military service as well. Now a blog site claims to have obtained military records showing a Jamond Polk was thrown out of the military at Fort Jackson. We do not know if this is the same Jay Polk referenced below, but include this information for anyone who may be able to confirm or disprove the connection: 

http://thisainthell.us/blog/?p=28611. If anyone has evidence of his whereabouts or can confirm/disprove his claims of military service, please contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org

We are leaving this story posted, with this disclaimer, because the research on special forces operations includes numerous well documented links on that issue  even if Polk's tale is a hoax.  

By Nadin B. Abbott

January 17, 2012 (San Diego)— On January 2, a soldier in San Diego claiming links to Special Forces posted on his Facebook page that he was deploying to Syria. This tantalizing piece of information startled readers, leading many to ask: does our country have troops in Syria and if so, why?

BOY, 10, SUSPECTED IN FATAL STABBING OF 12-YEAR-OLD FRIEND

January 16, 2012 (El Cajon)—A 12-year-old boy has died of stab wounds in a crime that has shocked a neighbors on Royal Road in the unincorporated area of El Cajon.  The  suspect is a 10-year-old boy, Lt. Larry Nesbitt with the Sheriff's Homicide Detail confirms.

A neighbor, Derek Gorton, 18, told 10 News that the boys were close friends, but indicated that the younger child suffered from severe emotional issues. “Even though he threw temper tantrums, we never thought he’d do anything like this,” he said. 

BIRD TALK: MANDARIN DUCKS SIGHTED AT SANTEE LAKES

 

By Greg Dunne

January 16, 2012 (Lindo Lake) --  The latest poser for my Canon was this beautiful Mandarin Duck on January 14.  On a cold, cloudy Saturday  morning at the water’s edge at Lindo Lake it was my first new bird of the year 2012!  This is the first time I’ve seen a Mandarin Duck in the wild.

HUNTER FOUND DEAD IN MCCAIN VALLEY


January 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Richard Bradley Smith, 61, was found dead this morning by San Diego Sheriff’s Search and Rescue volunteers. Smith had become separated from friends while fowl hunting in the McCain Valley area of Boulevard, near Cottonwood Campground. He resided in San Diego with his wife.

FUNDRAISER TONIGHT AT HOOLEY’S FOR MELTZER BOYS, CHILDREN OF MURDERED ALPINE MOTHER

January 16, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)  A fundraiser to benefit the two young sons of Debra Meltzer will be held tonight at Hooley’s Irish Pub and Grill, 2955 Jamacha Road in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.  Meltzer’s estranged husband is accused of killing her on December 23. 

 Hooley’s will donate 20 percent of all proceeds between 5 and 9 p.m.  at tonight’s event, which also includes live entertainment, silent auction and raffle. 

READER'S EDITORIAL: GUHSD BOUNDARY CHANGES ARE EQUITABLE AND PROCESS WAS FAIR

 
By Doug Deane, Chair, 2011 GUHSD Boundary Committee

 
January 16, 2012 (San Diego East County) -- I’m writing this in response to residents of the GUHSD who believe that they were not given adequate notification of changes recommended by the 2011 Boundary Committee.  I was Chair of that committee.  I’d like to make it clear that I speak only for myself.  The opinions stated below are mine only, and are not necessarily the opinion of the GUHSD, its Trustees or its administrative staff.

 

ERNIE HAAS & SIGNATURE SOUND IN CONCERT JANUARY 26


January 15, 2012 (San Diego) – Southern Gospel singers Ernie Haas & Signature Sound will be performing at the College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Avenue in San Diego on January 26 at 7:00 p.m.

The vocal group, founded in 2002 and winner of three GMA Dove awards, recently finished a nine country European tour and is soon to release its first new studio album in three years.

ALPINE/MOUNTAIN EMPIRE FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE FRIDAY, FEB. 3

 
January 16, 2012 (Alpine) -- The Council for Youth Empowerment, a 501 c 3 non-profit organization announces their 2012 Father-Daughter Dance on Friday, February 3, 2012 at the Alpine Community Center.  Attendance is limited to the first 100 couples who apply and this event completely sells out each year.

 

LAUGHTER, THE BEST MEDICINE? SENIORS GROUP TO HOST “LAUGHTER YOGA” JAN . 25 AT HEALTH CARE LIBRARY IN LA MESA

 
January 16, 2012 (La Mesa)--Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on “What is Laugh
ter Yoga” from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 25. The public is invited to attend, and RSVP is not required. The speaker will be Michael Coleman, executive director of Laughter Matters, a San Diego-based non-profit organization that promotes the physical, mental and social health benefits of laughter yoga.

 

BOOK REVIEW: DEAD CELEBRITY COOKBOOK IS SURE TO DELIGHT FANS OF CELEBRITIES AND CULINARY DELIGHTS



The Dead Celebrity Cookbook,
By Frank DeCaro (Health Communications, Inc., Deerfield Beach, Florida, 2011, 370 pages.)
 
Book Review by Dennis Moore
 
January 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Best known for his years as the flamboyant movie critic on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Frank DeCaro has written a book with wit and humor – packed with celebrity profiles and pop-culture ponderings, party menus, and more – The Dead Celebrity Cookbook pays homage to the departed stars of television, film, radio, and Broadway.

EAST COUNTY CHAMBER HOSTS CENTENNIAL GALA FEB. 4 AT US GRANT HOTEL

January 15, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- The San Diego East County Chamber of commerce celebrates 100 years of service to the business community with an elegant gala on February 4. The soiree of the century for East County business leaders will be held at the opulent U.S. Grant Hotel in San Diego.

LA MESA RESIDENTS MAY TAKE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE AND ELECTRONIC WASTE TO EDCO

 

January 15, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The city of La Mesa holds frequent household hazardous waste and electronic waste disposal dates at the EDCO Disposal site at 8184 Commercial Street in La Mesa.

ARMED BANK ROBBER SOUGHT BY AUTHORITIES

 
January 15, 2012 (Scripps Ranch) -- The FBI and San Diego Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the man who committed a takeover robbery of the California Coast Credit Union, 9835 Mira Mesa Boulevard, in Scripps Ranch this morning at 10:30 a.m. 

 

READER’S EDITORIAL: SAN DIEGO CITY COUNCIL SHOULD MOVE FORWARDS WITH A CITIZEN PETITION TO PUBLICLY FUND ELECTIONS

 By Nadin Abbott

 
January 15, 2012 (San Diego)--On Thursday January 11th, 2012 Mr. Derek Casady of La Jolla brought a proposal for the June Ballot allowing for voluntary public financing of elections in the City of San Diego. We are just starting to see the toxic effects of the Citizens United Supreme Court Decision on our democracy. In that decision, the Supreme Court ruled that corporations could pour virtually unlimited amounts into funding campaigns for candidates and political initiatives, opening wide the floodgates for corruption and undue influence on public officials. 

ON THE GO: TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS CELEBRATES 100TH RIDE MILESTONE

 

January 17, 2012 (San Diego)On the Go:  Transportation Solutions of Older Adults, founded in 2008, a division of Charitable Adult Rides & Services, Inc. delivered its 100,000th  ride last week to Sara “Suzanne” Tell, 80 years old. She received her most recent ride from Bill Farrar, retired police officer who has been volunteering since 2010 and has provided about 100 rides. 

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