February 26, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- A colorful chapter from East County's past may soon come rumbling back.
Ernest Dahlman, chief executive officer of Pacific Imperial Railroad, has announced that he has signed a 99-year-lease with the San Diego and Arizona Eastern Railway Company. He is raising funds to restore and operate tracks on the Desert Line to run through mountains and deserts in San Diego, Imperial County and Baja, Mexico.
Dahlman hopes to link the freight line up with trolley and train lines in San Diego, as well as a transcontinental railway route to the East.
The route through East County includes the rugged Carrizo Gorge. An amazing feat to complete, the line was dubbed the “impossible railroad” by engineers when it was first proposed.
How do you keep firefighters and paramedics out of your home?
February 25, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- No joke here… You can start by taking care of yourself and eating right! That’s right says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna, your local firefighters and paramedics respond to thousands of medical related calls each year (approx 75% are medical related calls). This Friday is March 1st and March is National Nutrition Month!
February 26, 2013 (San Diego)-- As one of 6,000 homeless or unaccompanied youths in the San Diego Unified School District, Jorge Palacios could have easily dropped out of school. But he didn’t. Now, his determination to graduate and move on to a college education was rewarded when he received keys to a newly refurbished vehicle from Caliber Collision’s Recycled Rides program last Friday.
Caliber Collision’s Recycled Rides program partners with insurance companies to donate refurbished vehicles to individuals and service organizations in need. Jorge’s new vehicle was donated by Esurance and refurbished by Caliber Collision associates who volunteered personal time to repair the car and solicit donations from local businesses to help with expenses such as gas and insurance.
February 19, 2013 (El Cajon)- The International Rescue Committee has partnered with Kaiser Permanente in El Cajon to open up a community garden for El Cajon residents, who wish to become gardeners by filling out a contract, to grow their food.
Anne Barron, community garden coordinator, gave ECM a tour of the garden, which is expected to open up in mid-March. The community garden is located at 203 Travelodge Drive in El Cajon.
February 26, 2013 (El Cajon)--The City of El Cajon may once again be walking down a rocky road of church and state separation issues with the announced participation of the El Cajon Police and Fire Departments as “special guests” at the groundbreaking of Rock Church’s newest location on Saturday, March 9 near Parkway Plaza on Jackman street. The invitation also includes “prayer and worship” at the newly-leased space.
“On its face…it appears that the DEIS [Draft Environmental Impact Statement] fails to include any legally enforceable Public Health and Safety mitigation measures….A failure to mandate even minimal fire protection standards or a protection plan will not only endanger workers on-site, it represents a potential fire threat to the surrounding communities.”
– Cynthia L. Eldred, attorney for the San Diego Rural Fire Protection District
By Miriam Raftery
February 26, 2013 (Campo) – An attorney representing the San Diego Rural Fire Protection District has sent repeated letters to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) taking the agency to task for ignoring health, safety and fire concerns in its consideration of the Shu’luuk Wind project. In a February 25, 2013 comment submitted to the BIA, the district further accuses the BIA of violating federal law and failing to require mitigation of serious problems for the proposed project on the Campo Indian reservation.
February 26, 2013 (Rancho San Diego) -- Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale announce the seventh concert in the 2012-2013 performance season: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Experience an evening of Shakespeare as musically set by Felix Mendelssohn, with actors from Grossmont College and the community in a complete recited performance of, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” This rare performance allows the audience to experience all of Mendelssohn’s beloved music about fairies, honorable love, and comedic drama—three stories in one—as performed by the Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, women of the Grossmont Master Chorale with soloists, and seven outstanding actors performing no fewer than twenty-two (22) roles.
Hear our interviews: audio link at end of this article.
By Miriam Raftery
February 25, 2013 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Hoping to revitalize tourism in their community, leaders in the small eastern San Diego County community of Jacumba petitioned the State to change the town’s name back to Jacumba Hot Springs, as it was known in a bygone era. Now it’s official, community members learned today.
“I am excited to announce that Jeff Chambers of the State of California Geographic Names Commission called Dave Landman, Mark Ostrander and Howard [Cook[ this morning to say that the Federal Geographic Names Commission has approved our name change (back to Jacumba Hot Springs) effective February 14th of this year,” Danielle Cook with the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Alliance nformed ECM.
More award categories added this year to recognize sustainable commute leaders
February 25, 2013 (San Diego)--SANDAG is seeking nominations for the iCommute Diamond Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations for promoting and adopting sustainable commute choices, such as taking transit, carpooling, and teleworking. Nominations are due by 4 p.m. PST, Thursday, Feb. 28, 2013.
February 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--I could’ve called it a “bomb” or a “fiasco”, but I prefer to call the mess that is the American private and public student loan system a “freight train” because the light at the end of the tunnel is an oncoming high-speed double diesel pulling 25 cars full of heavy loads. The numbers surrounding the student loan mess are horrifying; the total student loan debt out is one trillion dollars, which is the entire US government budget in a year. Of that amount, $76 billion is in default, though Allan College of StudentLoanJustice.org put out a press release* doubting that figure because even defaulted loans have interest piled on top of them.
February 23, 2013 (San Diego)—Mark your calendars if you are into off road fun-- the Tierra del Sol Desert Safari will be held on March 1-3, at the Ocotillo Wells Vehicle Recreation Area, near Ocotillo Wells.
This year the 51st annual Safari will be in honor of one of the early members of the club, Joe Branch, who died last year. The club itself was incorporated in 1961 as a nonprofit, though previously the early members met in the Anza Borrego State Park (established in 1941) where members met at the Truckhaven café, which was “at the end of thirty miles of rough road passing over hills, washes and mesas.”
February 25, 2013 (Spring Valley)--CSEA’s (California School Employees Association) Chapter 419 has announced an agreement to save benefited positions in the Child Nutrition Department at La Mesa-Spring Valley School District middle schools.
Anna Bongard, kitchen manager (left) with lunch workers Debbie Martin and Doris Evans
Update: ECM writer Nadin Abbott is at the scene; authorities except this incident to last another 3-4 hours and the fire fully extinguished.
February 25, 2013 (Flinn Springs) -- A fire at atowing facility has shut down Olde Highway 80 at Flinn Springs, CHP's incident page reports and IPN confirms.
"It is on or near...[a towing facility] 15289 Old Highway 80," Russ Park, who shot the photo at left, told ECM. The blaze is at least 100 yards off the main road. Park confirmed an early IPN report, with both indicating the fire originated at a pile of junked cars. IPN reports propane tanks nearby. Visibility on I-8 is also now affected.
Burning tires are sending billlows of black smoke visible across the area, the Alpine Community Network reports.
February 25, 2013 (Alpine) – Parks, housing, a proposed county equine ordinance, Forest Conservation Initiative lands, and Viejas’ plans for a parking garage are among the items on the agenda for the Alpine Community Planning Group this week. For a full agenda and details, read more.
ECM previously profiled the amazing efforts of Project Refuge and its efforts to help new refugees who arrive alone in our region. But now the organization has fallen on hard times and was recently forced to shut down its housing for local refugees, including many torture victims. The nonprofit seeks angel donors to help revive its efforts. Read the stories of survivors helped, as well as Project Refugee organizers, below.
By Ariele Johannson
The following story is the journey of “Mr. Horeb Michael,” an East African refugee. His name is withheld for protection from reprisal:
February 25, 2013 (San Diego)--You must cross through 20 countries before you arrive in San Diego, to be detained once again. You have no plan to go to America. Your only goal is to escape. To do this you must leave your life: your family, livelihood, friends, and future.
“…Killing rare protected species was a crime at both the state and federal level. So with the help of government agencies, the industry went to work stripping and changing environmental laws…”—Jim Wiegand
By Jim Wiegand, wildlife biologist
February 25, 2013 (San Diego's East County)-- In 1984 the California Energy Commission made the following statement in their Wind Energy Program Progress Report., "The development of wind energy in California has been very rapid, and the foundations for a significant new domesticenergy industry are in place. As should be expected however, with any fast growing industry using a new technology, there are many institutional, engineering, environmental, and economic issues whichmust be resolved before the industry is secure and it growth assured."
Update February 24: The boil water notice has been cancelled. View notice here.
Photo courtesy of the Alpine Community Network
February 23, 2013 (Alpine) – Yesterday’s water main break and sinkhole continue to cause problems for merchants and residents in Alpine, where a boil water order remains in effect to protect public health. (View map of affected areas.)
Padre Dam indicates it may be up to 72 hours before the problem will be resolved. “In the meantime almost ALL of our Alpine restaurants had to close last night (on a busy Friday night),” Angela Brookshire, editor of the Alpine Community Network, told ECM.
February 23, 2013 (La Mesa)-- Brew Ha Ha’s comedy team, Chris Clobber and Diane Jean, had all of us in stitches at the Holiday Inn Mesa Grill on 8000 Parkway Drive last night. The benefit, held to benefit the East County Magazine, Viejas Alerts, and the upcoming launch of ECM’s radio show on KNSJ, was well attended.
February 24, 2013 (Descanso)--If a disastrous event overwhelms or delays the community’s professional response, Community Emergency Response Tea.m. (CERT) members can assist others by applying the basic response and organizational skills that they learned during training. These skills can help save and sustain lives following a disaster until professional help arrives.
The CERT training will be held in Descanso at the Town Hall on March 8-9 and March 14-16. The classes themselves are free.
Billionaires & Ballot Bandits: How to Steal an Election in 9 Easy Steps, by Greg Palast (Seven Stories Press, New York, NY, 2012, 300 pages).
Book Review by Dennis Moore
February 23, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--Greg Palast,author of the New York Times’ best sellers The Best Democracy Money Can Buy, Armed Madhouse, and, most recently, Vultures’ Picnic, has followed up in a similar satirical vein with Billionaires & Ballot Bandits: How to Steal an Election in 9 Easy Steps. An internationally acclaimed investigative journalist, Palast has roots in California; his parents were long-time residents of La Mesa.
February 23, 2013 (Ramona) –Three men were arrested early February 22 in Ramona following a SWAT operation that led to the seizure of $15,000 worth of marijuana, plus a firearm and $17000 cash.
“The suspects had fortified the residence with a steel security screen door, steel gates and an aggressive dog,” said Sergeant B. Hout with the San Diego Sheriff’s office.
Sheriff’s detectives from the Ramona substation, with assistance form the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SWAT team), served a warrant at a residence at 312 Fegahli Road around 6 a.m. Thursday. The search warrant was the result of a month-long narcotics operation.
February 23, 2013 (El Cajon)—Shamoon Jeejo, an immigrant from war-torn Iraq, is pleased to be among the local residents who now have a raised garden plot at Circle Community Garden. The new garden had its grand opening ceremony today, serving up cake as local residents staked out spaces--and more are available.
“In Iraq, I had a garden, it was like ten of this space,” Jeejo (photo, left) told East County Magazine. “I live near here, by the library. If there is work, I want to volunteer. “ For Jeejo, who came here two and a half years ago to escape the oppressive government in Iraq, there is another benefit of working with others. “I want to speak English; if I am with community, I can learn to speak English very well,” he says.
Update February 23: The sinkhole is being filled; see photo left.
Photos by Greg Dunne
February 22, 2013 (Alpine) – A water main break has created a sinkhole on Alpine Boulevard at the intersection of Victoria Drive. The break occurred this afternoon, forcing closure of Victoria Drive.
Repairs may take 24 hours, a workman told ECM photographer Greg Dunne.
The Alpine Comunity Network reports that a boil water order has been issued for area residents.
Between Boyfriends, by Sárka-Jonae Miller, San Diego
Review by Miriam Raftery
February 18, 2013 (San Diego)--Between Boyfriendshit three Amazon best-seller lists the week after Valentine’s Day, ranking #9 for humor books, #11 for humor e-books and #54 for women's fiction. Written by San Diego-area resident Sárka Jonae Miller, this book is the ultimate chick-lit read—a light-hearted romp focused on the travails of Jan, a college student dumped by her boyfriend, an SDSU student. The moment proves an epiphany, as Jan resolves to stop dating and find fulfillment as a single woman.
Raised in pampered privilege, Jan’s problems soon get worse when she loses her parents’ financial support and must learn to be a self-sufficient.
After two days spent wallowing in a a self-pitying stupor following the breakup with her boyfriend, Jan awakens in her apartment. Appalled upon looking in the mirror, she whacks her hair with manicure scissors. Then she clears out the medicine cabinet of souvenirs from losers she has dated, determined to rid herself of ghosts of boyfriends past.
February 21, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Environmental groups are reacting with shock and outrage to a U.S. Department of Interior rule change that would allow private wind energy corporations to apply for unprecedented 30-year permits to kill our nation’s national symbol, the Bald Eagle, as well as Golden Eagles.
“Outrageous,” Terry Weiner with the Desert Protective Council in San Diego said of the proposal. The DPC has joined a call mounted by the nonprofit American Bird Conservancy asking that further consideration of the revise rule be suspended until Sally Jewel, President Barack Obama’s nominee to replace Ken Salazar as Secretary of the Interior Department ,has an opportunity to fully review the proposal and evaluate its long term impacts.
February 21, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
February 21, 2013 (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 reflect 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:
February 21, 2013 (Alpine)—In the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting, school districts across America are examining security procedures to consider the unthinkable – how to respond if confronted with a gunman aiming to commit mass murder.
The debate is raging in Alpine, where at least one parent is calling for armed guards in public schools. On February 21, the Alpine Union School District Board will hear a report from Superintendent Pellegrino on school safety measures in place and new concepts to consider—ranging from enhanced lockdown procedures to potentially, adding armed guards and perimeter controls to local campuses.
February 21, 2013 (San Diego)--In her book, Back Off! Your Kick-Ass Guide to Ending Bullying at Work, Catherine Mattice knows whereof she writes. At one of her first jobs out of San Diego State, she was bullied at the nonprofit where she was working. It wasn’t that long ago, but bullying, if it was thought of at all, was considered a schoolyard, not a workplace phenomenon.
She decided to do something about it. She got her Masters in Organizational Communications at SDSU, writing her thesis on workplace bullying. For her research, she inverted a survey on workplace bullying and instead of asking targets what they thought of being bullied, she asked why people were bullies. She even dedicated it to “The Post-it Nazi,” to her former co-worker who inspired it.
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna
February 26, 2013 (Descanso) -- Julie Salmons shot these photos after this week’s heavy snowfall blanketed her community in Descanso. 
ho San Diego) -- Grossmont Symphony Orchestra and Master Chorale announce the seventh concert in the 2012-2013 performance season: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
“…Killing rare protected species was a crime at both the state and federal level. So with the help of government agencies, the industry went to work stripping and changing environmental laws…”—Jim Wiegand
February 23, 2013 (Ramona) –Three men were arrested early February 22 in Ramona following a SWAT operation that led to the seizure of $15,000 worth of marijuana, plus a firearm and $17000 cash.
By Miriam Raftery
February 21, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
February 21, 2013 (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 reflect 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:
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