October 21, 2011 -- Curious about what new benefits Medicare has to offer? Looking to change your health coverage? Medicare’s annual open enrollment started October 15. During open enrollment, anyone with Medicare can make changes to their health care coverage. All final selections for next year’s Medicare coverage must be made by December 7. Please visit www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan or call 1-800-MEDICARE for more information.
October 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.). - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Target today announced a voluntary recall of children’s frog masks due to suffocation danger. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. Scroll down for details.
October 22, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego County Farm Bureau’s (SDCFB) board of directors has selected Jeff Rossman, executive chef/owner of Terra American Bistro in the East College area of San Diego, as the first recipient of the SD Grown 365 Award.
October 21, 2011 (Santee) -- This resident of the East County can be found at many lakes in our area. Egrets have been found as far east as Cuyamaca Lake, but are commonly seen at Lindo Lake, Lake Jennings and Santee Lakes, where this Great Egret was photographed.
October 20, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Police Department Robbery Unit detectives are investigating a series of armed robberies that began in August. Since then, the suspects are believed to have committed sixteen robberies throughout the City. Agencies from Oceanside to Chula Vista report similar cases, as well as in East County.
Why wait 'til Halloween? Get in the spooky spirit of the season Wednesday night
October 20, 2011 (El Cajon)-- Bring the kids for Trunk or Treat at the next Cajon Classic Cruise, Wednesday, October 26. Vehicles will be decorated in a Halloween theme and owners will be handing out candy for young trick or treaters from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Labor dispute also heats up; Oct. 26 and 27 meetings set as budget woes deepen
By Miriam Raftery
October 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Residents in the Dehesa area of unincorporated El Cajon will be losing a firefighting structure engine and a wildland fire engine due starting November 1.
In addition, a three-man engine will be replaced by a two-man paramedic crew—a situation that the San Miguel Firefighters Association (SMFA) contends on its website is “unsafe” but that the District contends is necessary due to dwindling property tax revenues that fund firefighting services.
October 20, 2011 (Flinn Springs) – Free family fun will blossom this Sunday at Summers Past Farms, where a Fall Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit Alpine schools. A pumpkin patch, maze, draft horse-drawn hay ride, craft and gift booths, 4-H animal exhibits, treats and more are all part of the festivities.
October 20, 2011 (Lakeside) – The body of a male found dead October 18 inside a home in the 11400 block of Rocky Lane, Lakeside has been ruled a homicide.
“It was violent,” Lt. Larry Nesbit with the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirmed. Identity has not yet been released pending identification by the Medical Examiner and notification of family.
October 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--The American Society of Interior Designers’ self-guided Kitchen Tour, set for Saturday, Oct. 22, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will showcase 14 beautifully remodeled kitchens in San Diego County -- including several in East County and San Diego's inland regions. designed by some of the region’s own design stars.
“This is an unprecedented opportunity to tour 14 astonishingly different kitchens and meet the ASID designers who created these magical transformations,” said Tatiana Machado-Rosas, Allied Member ASID, event chair.
October 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County ) -- This trick-or-treat season, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) has developed some kid-friendly, fun confectionary-free treats that won’t leave kids or parents saying ‘boo’. With Halloween lending itself to spiders, witches, and ghosts, the CMAB has come up with ‘spooky’ recipes using Real California dairy products.
October 20, 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:
U.S.
·US drops plans to keep troops in Iraq (San Diego Union-Tribune)
·Romney beating Obama in a fight for Wall Street cash (New York Times)
·Uganda welcomes U.S. troops to hunt rebel leaders (Capital FM News)
·Obama to challenge China on Trade(Reuters)
·Bank Transfer Day’ Protest Attracts Massive Facebook Following, As Well As “Bank Trolls” (Talking Points)
WORLD
·Ghadafi killed in hometown; Libya eyes future (Reuters)
·Israeli-Hamas agreement to trade prisoners may reshape politics in region (New York Times)
·Dozens of Yemeni women injured in protest (UPI)
·Living buildings could absorb city carbon emissions (CNN)
·Sectarian rifts erupt again in Saudi Arabia (Jerusalem Post)
·Why did Egypt’s Army violently suppress Christian protesters? (Christian Science Monitor)
·Clashes spark outrage among Egypt’s Christians (NPR)
·Egypt intercepts Libyan surface-to-air-missles in Sinai (Jerusalem Post)
October 20, 2011 (Borrego Springs) – An “extreme parade” this Saturday promises to be a memorable highlight in this year’s Borrego Days Desert Festival October 21-23.
October 25 fundraiser at Outback Steakhouse to benefit ill child in need of service dog
By Jym Bridger
October 20, 2011 (El Cajon)--You have probably seen them, all those guys riding around in the fire engines with moustaches. Has anybody told them moustaches have been out of fashion since the final episode of Magnum P.I. in 1988?
Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009, but benefit may be offset by hike in Medicare premiums for some recipients
October 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for more than 60 million Americans will increase 3.6 percent in 2012, the Social Security Administration announced today.
October 20, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- Want to feast your eyes on the hottest looks cooked up by local designers on the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) San Diego Kitchen Tour this Saturday? East County Magazine is giving away a pair of tickets.
October 17, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Better Business Bureau (BBB) is inviting all 11th and 12th graders to write and submit up to a 400-word essay on the importance of marketplace ethics and receive up to a $1,500 scholarship from the BBB. The presenting sponsor of the BBB’s scholarship program is Sycuan Casino in El Cajon. Last year’s winners included two high school students from East County high schools.
October 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Crimemapping.com, which initially covered only unincorporated areas of San Diego under jurisdiction of the Sheriff, has now been expanded to include all cities and communities within San Diego County. The site allows users to click on a map or type in a community name to find detailed information on the number and types of crimes—such as arson, assaults, homicides, vehicle crimes, or property crimes. You can also sign up to receive free crime alerts.
October 19, 2011 (La Mesa) O’Dunn Fine Art will unveil the Ireland Paintings Exhibition by Paul Strahm, a signature treatment that examines the Irish countryside, street scenes, coast and waterways. The collection of 14 paintings will be on display from October 22 – November 27, 2011 and are available for pre-sale.
October 19, 2011 (Lemon Grove)—Could a major earthquake strike San Diego County—and will you be prepared? Well-known earthquake expert and media commentator Dr. Pat Abbott, will discuss the "big one on the next "History Alive" lecture series. The event, sponsored by Lemon Grove Historical Society, will be held November 3 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.
October 18, 2011 (La Mesa)—La Mesa Police responded to call yesterday at 2:41 from a resident in the 9800 block of Lakeview Drive. The resident told police he saw a man enter his home through the front door, which the suspect had been broken.
By Brian Lafferty
Other topics include new “top two” primary system and Twitter ID thefts by GOP leader
Cost-of-Living Adjustment is First Since 2009, but benefit may be offset by hike in Medicare premiums for some recipients 
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