East County Magazine’s “Feasting and Merrymaking” holiday party December 7

Destination East County: Dreamy December events to remember

Our guide to discovering the SDSU College Community

Holiday season safety tips & reminders from the California Fire Foundation and PSA program

Hearing and new website showcase County housing efforts

Our guide to inland San Diego’s Rivers and Lakes Region

Artists from St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center to show off skills

Border Patrol apprehends escaped felon in Descanso

Mount Miguel High School to become “Mount Miguel Early College High School,” expanding college opportunities

Sharp HealthCare nurses begin strike

Grossmont District’s high schools experience first semester without teacher librarians

San Diego plans 322% housing boom for College Area amid SDSU’s continued growth

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

 

November 2, 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.

  • Obama plan moves to ease mortgages, student loans (International Business Times)
  • Victims of improper foreclosure practices can submit claims (Los Angeles Times)
  • New Obama administration programs help veterans find jobs (Voice of America)
  • Farming helps refugees put down roots (Voice of America)
  • Millions without power after northeast snow storm (CNN)
  • Herman Cain sexual harassment claims dog campaign (ABC)
  • Bank of America cancels debit card fee (BBC)


WORLD

  • World reaches 7 billion (Reuters video)
  • Occupy London protesters celebrate after winning eviction battle (Guardian)
  • Somalia’s agony tests limits of aid (New York Times)
  • Wikileaks Assange loses extradition appeal (BBC)
  • Suicide bomber kills 3, wounds 20 in SE Turkey (Jerusalem Post)

Click "read more" to see links, and  stories

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: NOVEMBER 2, 2011

 

 
 
November 2,  2011 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights articles on top regional and state issues of interest to East County and inland San Diego County, published in other media. This week’s top Roundup headlines include:

 

LOCAL
 
  • School closures curtailed; new borrowing idea floated (Voice of San Diego)
  • Sluggish growth expected for San Diego economy (KPBS)
  • East County Chaldeans launch TV lifeline (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Sex predator to live in Campo, judge says (San Diego Union-Tribune)
  • Merchants get a lesson in combating robberies (La Mesa Today)
  • Suggested manifesto for the Occupy movement (La Mesa Patch.com)
STATE
 
  • Local officials file initiative to protect future funding (Sacramento Bee)
  • California’s high-speed rail backers take steps to quiet critics (Sacramento Bee)


Click "read more" to see links, and 
 stories

 

JAMUL HAVEN TO HOST READING OF DICKENS’ "A CHRISTMAS CAROL” NOV. 5

November 2, 2011 (Jamul) Drama students from Santee High School will perform a free reading of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, November 5 at Jamul Haven Bed and Breakfast Inn. The performance is part of students’ preparatory work for their November production of this classic holiday story.

Arrive at 4:30 p.m. for a light dinner, with readings beginning at 5:15 p.m. Talk back and dessert follows.

ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC DELAYS IN MCCAIN VALLEY FRIDAY


November 2, 2011 (McCain Valley) - The County has authorized SDG&E and the Daley Corporation to perform asphalt repairs on McCain Valley Road on Friday, November 4 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Work areas will be closed for the safety of workers. One lane will remain open and access to property will be maintained at all times while general repairs are completed due to Sunrise Powerlink construction activities.

ARMCHAIR IMPRESSIONISTS EXHIBITION NOVEMBER 1 - 30, 2011


November 2, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) -- The Armchair Impressionists, including Jeffrey Graham, Rustin Holec, David Lawhead, Karen Marsh, William Marsh, and guest artist Carol Harris, will feature their paintings November 1 - 30 at the Rancho San Diego Library.  Area residents are invited to join them at an artist’s reception, November 6 from 2 – 4 pm in the Community Room.

BIRD TALK: THE GREEN HERON

By Greg Dunne

                                                
November 2, 2011 (Lake Murray) --This is one of my favorite birds. It’s also John Vanderpoel’s  #183 bird on his 2011 “Big Year” bird list. More on that later.
 
The Green Heron is an odd sort of bird, short and stocky; it reminds me of a cartoon caricature from the 1960’s.  It is smart, tough, and intolerant of other birds--even other herons!  

LOCAL LEADERS RECEIVE MUCH DESERVED RECOGNITION FOR PHILANTHROPIC WORK

Six honorees were recognized for their work with the Somali and East African Refugee Community

November 2, 2011 (San Diego) — Somali Family Service of San Diego (SFS) held its First Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration to honor and recognize six community members who have made significant contributions in advancing the nation’s second largest Somali and East African refugee population on Wednesday, October 19.

 

 

FBI AND EL CAJON POLICE SEEK PUBLIC’S ASSISTANCE TO IDENTIFY PACIFIC WESTERN BANK ROBBER

November 2, 2011 (El Cajon)-- The FBI and El Cajon Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the unknown male responsible for robbing the Pacific Western Bank, 368 Broadway, El Cajon, California, on Tuesday, November 1, 2011.

HIRE A HERO - HIRE A VET JOB FAIR NOV.3

November 1, 2011 (Sacremento) -- Assemblymember Marty Block has announced Hire a Hero - Hire a Vet, a job fair that focuses on presenting job opportunities for service members returning from war. Block especially wants to let everyone know about the job fair so they can let the vets themselves,  or someone they know about it.


The fair is focused on connecting Veterans, National Guard, and Reservists returning from active duty to companies currently hiring. The event is free and open to the public. Members of Block's staff will be available at the event to answer any state-related questions or concerns.
 

SIXTH ANNUAL LA MESA HISTORIC HOMES TOUR NOV. 5

November 1, 2011 (La Mesa) – Take a step back in time on the La Mesa Historic Homes Tour on Saturday, November 5.  Sponsored by the La Mesa Historical Society, this year's tour features five historic houses by noted local architects, some of whom went on to even greater architectural fame.  

RED FLAG WARNING: FIRE DANGER HIGH ON WEDNESDAY


November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a red flag alert from 3 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, November 2 for San Diego’s mountain areas.

Warm temperatures, high winds and low humidity will create “explosive fire growth potential,” the NWS warns.

Moderate to strong Santa Ana winds of 40-50 mph are forecast, with gusts up to 60 mph in some areas. 

ALERT CANCELLED AT SAN ONOFRE NUCLEAR PLANT FOLLOWING AMMONIA LEAK, EVACUATIONS EARLIER


 

Update 6:45 p.m. --  San Onofre has cancelled the alert issued earlier and now reports that its onsite emergency response team has contained the release and cleaned up hazardous material at the unit following an ammonia leak. The leak had no impact on radioactive material or cooling units.  

 

 

Plumbing union expert involved with installation of piping and ammonia monitoring system at plant speaks with ECM

SUNDAY STILL NO DAY OF REST FOR RESIDENTS NEAR POWERLINK CONSTRUCTION

Alpine residents lodge new complaints; Lakeside residents plan community meeting Wed. Nov. 2 over noise concerns

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

November 1, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Last week, the County revoked a variance granted to SDG&E for helicopter work along Sunrise Powerlink on Sundays in areas where residents had complained. So on Sunday, October 30, residents were looking forward to some much-anticipated peace and quiet –only to find the silence broken once again by the loud roar of helicopters.
 

At least some of the flights appear to be violating the County’s ban on Sunday flights, according to LeAnn Carmichael with the County Department of Planning and Land Use.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT In REGULATING WALL STREET? LEGAL GROUPS HOST FORUM NOV. 9

 November 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Lawyer Chapter and the Thomas Jefferson School of Law Student Chapter of the American Constitution Society present: The Financial Crisis: “What is the Role of Government in Regulating Wall Street?”


The event will take place on Wednesday, November 9 from 5:30 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. at the San Diego County Bar Association, 1333 7th Avenue, San Diego.
 

THIS WEEKEND: RED HOT CHILI -- WAY COOL NOV 5

 

November 1, 2011, (Lemon Grove ) -- The seventh annual Western Round Up and Chili Cook-off, sponsored by Lemon Grove Soroptimists, sends up a flare on Nov. 5. 
 

Such cayenne masters as Willie Tellez of Pro Drain Plumbing, lawyers Helen Zeldes, Airene Haeggquist and Amber Eck (sans suits and briefcases), and, of course, those heat-seeking champs from the Lemon Grove Fire Department will braise entire cows laced with habañera and cabanelle chilis--the kind that stopped scurvy in its tracks on Columbus's first voyage to the new world.

 

LA MESA POLICE NAB SUSPECTED CARJACKERS AND ARMED ROBBERS

November 1, 2011 (La Mesa)—Gerry Bullard, 22, and Keith Davis, 26 have been arrested on charges of car jacking and armed robbery, La Mesa Police report.  The men may be responsible for multiple robberies in La Mesa and elsewhere in the County, according to La Mesa Police.

NOVEMBER 2011 PROGRAMS FOR SHARP SENIOR CENTER AT GROSSMONT CENTER: DIABETES NOV 8

DIABETES LECTURE AND SCREENING
 
November 1, 2011 (El Cajon) -- November is National Diabetes Month. Learn about diabetes and how the proper nutrition can make a difference from a Sharp Certified Diabetes Educator. Lecture is Tuesday, November 8 from 2 to 3 p.m. followed by a free blood glucose screening from 3 to 3:30 p.m. at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St. La Mesa. Reservation required. Call 1-800-827-4277.
 
 
 

AFTER EIGHT YEARS OF WAR, WHAT DO IRAQIS THINK?

 

San Diego’s East County is home to the largest population of Iraq War refugees in the U.S. and the second largest Iraqi immigrant population the nation. In a special assignment for East County Magazine, Nabil Taha interviewed local Iraqis and also translated Iraqi TV reports to learn Iraqis’ views on withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq.

By Nabil Taha

AT HOME IN DEERHORN VALLEY: AN ARTIST'S STRAW BALE STUDIO RISES FROM THE ASHES, DOUBLING AS COMMUNITY CENTER

"At Home” is a new series highlighting creative homes and lifestyles in San Diego East County communities.

 

 


By

Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

 

 

“Straw bale building is like a barn raising—a wonderful, friendly activity that reaches out and brings people together.” – Kim Hamilton

October 30, 2011 (Deerhorn Valley) – Four years after the Harris Fire burned down their barn, Kim Hamilton and Rob Deason celebrate completion of a new art and music studio made with straw-bale construction and hands-on help from friends, family and neighbors.  Since the community also lost its former gathering place at a local fire station, the new studio doubles as a meeting room for the Deerhorn Valley Community Association.

The new structure is both fire resistant and green--built of natural, sustainable materials with insulating qualities ideal for the climate extremes found in this rural community.   

JULIAN ACTIVIST MAKES THIRD RUN FOR CONGRESS

 
Oct. 31, 2011 (San Diego's East County)  – Local community activist Connie Frankowiak will once again make a run for Congressman Duncan Hunter’s (R-Alpine) seat in the United States Congress in 2012. In June, she will face off against fellow Democrat David Secor, Tea Party activist Terri Linnell, and Congressman Hunter in the new “top two” open primary. As the name states, only the top two vote getters will move on to the general election in November.

NOVEMBER 5 BRINGS FREE FAMILY FUN TO LA MESA: A TENNIS PLAY DAY, AND STARGAZING NOVEMBER 18

 

 
We are sorry to advise you that due to extreme cloudy conditions we must postpone the stargazing event originally scheduled for tonight Friday November 18th. We will attempt to reschedule at a later date - weather permitting. 

 

October 31, 2011 (La Mesa) -- La  Mesa’s November free family fun events begin November 5 with a tennis play day featuring an introduction to the new 10-and-under tennis program and concludes with a stargazing program on November 18.

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