Automobile Association of America calls on government to halt sale
By Miriam Raftery
January 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The American Automobile Association (AAA) has issued a press release urging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to suspend sale of E15 fuel (a blend of 15% ethanol from corn and 85% gasoline). AAA warns that 13 major automobile manufacturers say that use of E15 fuel could void warranty claims.
E15 fuel is not currently sold in California, however it is allowed in approximately 30 states and is currently available for sale in several. The EPA authorized its sale in June 2012 over objections of the auto industry.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego)--Since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut the news and internet has been abuzz with some variant of “Freedom vs Gun Control,” as if no reasonable rational alternative exists beyond this absolute dichotomy. In the mix is always the 2nd Amendment: “A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” The 2nd Amendment has been interpreted both as a right to individual self-defense and, by some, as a check on government, i.e. a right to use force to overthrow a “tyrannical” government.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) -- Without carbon monoxide alarms, one neighbor’s faulty appliance in a multi-family dwelling can easily become a tragedy that affects ALL tenants. The California Office of the State Fire Marshal cited a recent study that found nearly nine in 10 California households do NOT have a CO alarm
All multi-family dwelling units, such as apartments, are required to have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm by January 1, 2013. Landlords are responsible for installation, so for tenants whose units do not have a CO alarm, now is the time to remind your landlord by requesting one.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) – What has sadly been lost this week amid all the chatter about the so-called fiscal cliff is the fact that members of Congress are already threatening to throw our veterans under the bus. And it is nothing short of despicable.
Back in September, I reported for Newsweek/The Daily Beast that an unidentified Senator tried to block disabled veterans and their survivors from getting a cost-of-living adjustment to their benefits. The Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) increase for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, which typically passes the House and Senate without opposition, was cleared by Senate Democrats but was unconscionably placed on a “secret hold” by an unidentified Republican senator.
GUHSD Board Member Jim Kelly led the last 8 years by controlling the Board’s majority; now with a new member, Jim Stieringer, elected, let's review progress of a 12th high school
By Bill Weaver
December 2, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--There is an endless trail of disingenuous acts on behalf the majority on the Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Governing Board; this editorial touches on a few. Let’s reflect on years past. Prop H passed in 2004, authorizing $274 million; the Superintendent and the Board put a 12th new high school in the main summarizing Ballot statement headlining the bond explanation. There was a GUHSD Long Range Facilities Master Plan (LRFMP) dated 2003 that stipulated a 12th high school for "Safety and Overcrowding" reasons.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Chabad of East County’s Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) new Torah Studies lessons. Classes will be held at the Andrusier residence, 8361 Beaver Lake Dr, San Diego, beginning tonight, January 2, 7:45 – 8:45 pm, and continue for eleven consecutive Wednesday evenings. Like all of Chabad’s courses, this latest adult education offering is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) – I just watched the poignant new film Promised Land, which will be released nationally on Friday, and as I watched I couldn't help but wonder: Would President Obama like this movie? Is it something he would embrace, or dismiss?
As you may have read, Promised Land, which is written by and stars Matt Damon and John Krasinski, is a cautionary tale about hydraulic fracking, the relatively new and controversial process of injecting water, sand and a variety of chemicals, some of them toxic, deep into the ground to free natural gas trapped in rock.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – By a 257-167 vote late last night, the House of Representatives approved without changes a “fiscal cliff” deal previously passed by the Senate 89-8.
The stock market reaction to ending the uncertainty was positive, rising 235 points or 1.9% on January 1 for a second-straight day of triple digit gains. It’s a deal that reflects compromise on both sides, averting a potential crisis short-term, but deferring major decisions on spending cuts and raising the nation's debt ceiling down the road.
The decision divided the Republican leadership, as well as the local Congressional delegation. Lame-duck Republican Congressman Brian Bilbray joined with Democrat Susan Davis in voting for the measure, while Republicans Duncan Hunter and Darrell Issa voted against it. (Bob Filner resigned his seat Dec. 3 to assume his new responsibilities as Mayor, leaving his seat vacant until Juan Vargas is sworn in later this month.)
January 2, 2013 (Lakeside) – A 74-year-old woman and her daughter have been hospitalized for treatment of injuries after a fire at their home at 13265 Lakeview Granada in Lakeside yesterday. Sheriff’s deputies arrived at 4:26 p.m. to assist firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department at the fully engulfed structure fire.
“The elderly woman told deputies her daughter had intentionally set the fire. Deputies detained the adult suspect, pending the investigation,” said Sergeant Curt Goldberg with the San Diego Sheriff. The mother also told a dispatcher that her daughter set the blaze deliberately.
December 29, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—“Scenic resources are among the biggest values we can offer to the American people,” Will Metz, Cleveland National Forest Supervisor, told ECM.
The U.S. Forest Service is now weighing a proposal to protect vast tracts of federal forests as roadless wilderness—including 42,000 of Cleveland National Forest. That includes the lands around Cedar Creek and above Cedar Creek Falls, Eagle Peak, the upper San Diego River Gorge, and the Caliente area.
The proposal will likely be open for public comment in January and could be finalized by mid-2013. While the USFS would then manage the lands as wilderness, it would take an act of Congress to formalize the designation.
January 1, 2013 (San Diego)—“The Vietnamese community in San Diego is in need of a strong sense of identity in order to unite in the revitalization of our social and economic life,”Frank Vuong, president of the Little Saigon San Diego Foundation, writes.
He hopes to see the Vietnamese community become a cultural asset for our region by putting it on the map. So the Foundation has launched a petition to designate a Little Saigon District in San Diego’s Talmadge/Kensington area along El Cajon Boulevard between Euclid and Highland Avenues.
December 30, 2012 (La Mesa) – Poet Jim Hornsby Morena, owner of the Spacebar Internet Café in La Mesa, is asking for donations of blankets to help the Mixtec Indians in Tijuana during this winter season. Below is his message, along with a link to a video.
January 1, 2013 (Alpine)--The Alpine branch of the San Diego County Library announces its calendar of events for January. View the full calendar here. Below are highlights, including visits with a therapy dog, a hands-on archaeology project, and book talks complete with bagels and books:
Tues. 1/15 – RUFF Readers – 3:30 pm Read to Cabo, a Therapy Dog; sign-up for a 15-minute slot by calling 619-445-4221. Age 5+ welcome! Walk-ins are OK.
December 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The Robin Henkel Blues Trio will perform at El Cajon Brewing Co., 110 North Magnolia Ave., El Cajon on January 16 from 6 – 9 p.m. The Trio’s performance is in the style of the Mississippi Delta blues.
December 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The award-winning Southern Gospel trio Greater Vision will perform at Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Road, San Diego on January 13 at 5:00 p.m. Greater Vision, organized in 1990, has been inspiring audiences with its rich vocal blend and gospel message. Tickets are $16 advance general admission, $20 at the door or $25 for Artist Circle admission.
January 1, 2013 (San Diego)--Children eat with their eyes. Young eaters are drawn to items that are fun and colorful. When introducing kids to new veggies, select different vegetables with vibrant colors and cut them into fun, kid-friendly shapes.Dips are fun.
To get kids interested in trying new veggies, give them a healthy, low-calorie dip for their veggies. Use dips like low-fat ranch dressing, yogurt-based dips and tomato sauces.
January 1, 2013 (San Diego)--San Diego State University Police have issued an alert warning of a violent assault that occurred at 2:40 a.m. in the 5700 block of Hardy Avenue. Five African-American men in a silver 4-door BMW approached a male victim and attacked him without provocation, kicking and punching him before stealing his white iPhone, according to police.
The suspects, all about six feet tall, wore blue jeans. One suspect wore a white T-shirt with orange sleeves. They fled east in the vehicle after the crime.
January 1, 2013 (La Mesa) --The San Diego Blood Bank reports that 250 plush penguins were recently delivered as gifts to patients admitted to Sharp Grossmont Hospital in December during the weeks leading up to the holiday season. The gift delivery was part of the Blood Bank’s annual “Winter Wishes” program sponsored by the Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that supports health-related community programs and serves as landlord of the hospital on behalf of East County taxpayers.
January 1, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) –Some area residents started their New Year in the dark due to power outages. An outage that began at 1 a.m. is due to be restored at noon today in the Blossom Valley and Lakeside areas, where a vehicle caused a short in the electrical system that left 432 customers without power, SDG&E reports.
In Lemon Grove and Spring Valley, a vehicle also caused an outage to 28 customers at 11:18 p.m. last night that is due to be restored at 9 a.m. today, according to SDG&E’s website.
January 2, 2013 (La Mesa) – On Sunday, December 23, The Eagle Patrol Webelos from Cub Scout Pack 391 got hands on training from La Mesa firefighters at the main La Mesa Fire Station 11 at 8034 Allison Avenue. The Scouts were taught emergency first aid procedures. In addition they were shown equipment used by firefighters in their jobs.
UPDATE: The President has signed into law a fiscal cliff deal that includes extension of the wind production tax credits, and also makes it easier for wind develpers to get them. Projects now only need to break ground to qualify, not meet construction milestones.
December 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) – ECM sources in Washington have informed us that language to extend $12 billion in wind production tax credits through 2013 have been added to a tentative deal reached to avert the “fiscal cliff.” Senate leaders and President Barack Obama have agreed on the deal, which the Senate is expected to vote on tonight. The House, however, has adjourned and will likely vote tomorrow or the next day.
Extension of the wind tax credits could have major ramifications for San Diego’s East County, where Iberdrola’s Tule Wind has been approved but not yet built. Other wind projects are also proposed in our region. The wind industry has indicated that without a tax credit extension, many planned wind projects may not be built.
A national effort has been launched by wind power opponents asking citizens to urge Congressional members to oppose any deal that includes a wind tax credit extension. Local residents are among those contacting their Senators and House representatives to urge that wind production tax credit extensions not be granted.
December 31, 2012 (Encinitas) – San Diego Sheriff asks residents countywide for help to identify three males who forcibly tried to kidnap an 18-year-old woman today in Encinitas. The suspects drove an older black pickup truck with orange horizontal stripes near the fenders and gardening gear in the truck bed.
After she was pulled into the truck, the victim reportedly punched the driver and bit another suspect before fleeing to a nearby home for help.
The driver is described as a heavy-set Hispanic man, age 30-40. A young Hispanic or white male with a thin build, possibly a juvenile, got out of the passenger side and ordered the victim to get in the truck, then pulled her in when she refused. Another passenger has a thin build and is believed to be Hispanic, age 25-35.
Update 11:15 p.m. - The Senate has approved the deal 89-8. The House vote, up next, will not occur tonight.
Update January 2, 2013: The House approved the Senate version Jan. 1 with no changes. The President later signed the measure into law.
December 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- It's now past midnight in Washington D.C., where Senate leaders in both parties and President Obama have reached a tentative agreement on a deal to avert the worst of the "fiscal cliff" impacts. Though no vote was taken prior to the midnight year-end deadline, because tomorrow is a federal holiday, the worst of the impacts can yet be avoided if Congress takes action soon. However the measure is expected to face opposition in the House, which Republicans control.
January 2, 2013 (Otay)--“Look out, Santee, here’s your future,” Tom Lemon writes, referring to the Quail Brush gas-fired peaker power plant proposed just outside of Mission Trails Regional Park. Curious to see what a peaker plant actually looks like – not just in drawings prepared by the developer—Lemon ventured to Otay Mesa, where a gas-fired peaker plant recently opened. Note: Peaker plants run intermittently to fill demand at peak power usage times. These photos were taken when the plant was not fired up. When in operation, the facility would include emissions visible from the smokestacks.
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) – Talk about your Friday Night Lights. It was 35 years ago that arguably the greatest high school football game in America was played, and the greatest high school rivalry was born. And the game wasn't played in Texas. Or California. It was played in Central Iowa.
The game in 1977 between the Valley Tigers and the Dowling Maroons, both of West Des Moines, Iowa, was epic. It created a high school rivalry that USA TODAY recently called one of the greatest in the nation. Well, I say it is the best in the nation.
December 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) -- A blanket of snow envelops our local mountains and rural areas this New Year's Eve. Melody Ponchot arose early to snap sunrise photos as the morning's first rays illuminate snow dusting trees across her ranch in Boulevard (left, right, and below, right)
Julie Salmons also sent in an image of the Laguna mountains (below, left), viewed from Descanso, wearing a crown of winter white.
Update: A memorial service is scheduled for January 5 in El Cajon. Details below.
December 27, 2012 (El Cajon) -- East County Democratic Club co-president John Martes passed after a year-long battle with lung cancer last night at his home in El Cajon. His wife of 40 years, Gloria Martes, and two daughters, Natalie and Leslie, were at his side.
An accountant/controller at John A. Martes and Associates educated at the University of San Diego, Martes twice ran for the Cajon Valley School District Board and was also a candidate for the El Cajon City Council.
December 31, 2012 (La Mesa) – O’Dunn Fine Art is serving up champagne and truffles today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. All paintings and pottery will be 10% - 50% off, including new inventory.
How will failure of Congress to halt fiscal cliff impact you?
By Miriam Raftery
December 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – If Congress fails to agree by the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, automatic spending cuts of 8-9% across the board will take place as required through sequestration in both domestic programs and Defense. That could cut the deficit by half, but theCongressional Budget office warns this could trigger recession as steep tax hikes take effect along with spending cuts. It’s not just the rich who will feel the pinch—in fact middle class and low income earners would face severe economic impacts.
San Diego's biotech industry, military and Border Patrol offices are all bracing for potential painful cuts.
The deficit currently stands at $1.1 trillion, the lowest since 2008 but still a daunting figure that both sides seek to reduce, but with vastly different approaches.
December 30, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club is holding its next monthly luncheon on January 15 at 12 p.m. at 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine. The program will feature Carlette Anderson, the Club’s President and co-owner of Save-A-Heart, the CPR Pros, sharing the new guidelines for CPR and demonstrating the Heimlich maneuver.
By Miriam Raftery
By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) -- Without carbon monoxide alarms, one neighbor’s faulty appliance in a multi-family dwelling can easily become a tragedy that affects ALL tenants. The California Office of the State Fire Marshal cited a recent study that found nearly nine in 10 California households do NOT have a CO alarm
January 2, 2013 (San Diego) – What has sadly been lost this week amid all the chatter about the so-called fiscal cliff is the fact that members of Congress are already threatening to throw our veterans under the bus. And it is nothing short of despicable.
GUHSD Board Member Jim Kelly led the last 8 years by controlling the Board’s majority; now with a new member, Jim Stieringer, elected, let's review progress of a 12th high school
January 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Chabad of East County’s Jewish Learning Institute (JLI) new Torah Studies lessons. Classes will be held at the Andrusier residence, 8361 Beaver Lake Dr, San Diego, beginning tonight, January 2, 7:45 – 8:45 pm, and continue for eleven consecutive Wednesday evenings. Like all of Chabad’s courses, this latest adult education offering is designed for people at all levels of Jewish knowledge.
By Miriam Raftery
December 30, 2012 (La Mesa) – Poet Jim Hornsby Morena, owner of the Spacebar Internet Café in La Mesa, is asking for donations of blankets to help the Mixtec Indians in Tijuana during this winter season. Below is his message, along with a link to a video.
January 1, 2013 (Alpine)--The Alpine branch of the San Diego County Library announces its calendar of events for January. 
December 28, 2012 (San Diego) – The award-winning Southern Gospel trio Greater Vision will perform at Skyline Church, 11330 Campo Road, San Diego on January 13 at 5:00 p.m. Greater Vision, organized in 1990, has been inspiring audiences with its rich vocal blend and gospel message. Tickets are $16 advance general admission, $20 at the door or $25 for Artist Circle admission.
Get kids to love their veggies for the new year
January 2, 2013 (La Mesa) – On Sunday, December 23, The Eagle Patrol Webelos from Cub Scout Pack 391 got hands on training from La Mesa firefighters at the main La Mesa Fire Station 11 at 8034 Allison Avenue. The Scouts were taught emergency first aid procedures. In addition they were shown equipment used by firefighters in their jobs.
December 31, 2012 (San Diego's East County) – ECM sources in Washington have informed us that language to extend $12 billion in wind production tax credits through 2013 have been added to a tentative deal reached to avert the “fiscal cliff.” Senate leaders and President Barack Obama have agreed on the deal, which the Senate is expected to vote on tonight. The House, however, has adjourned and will likely vote tomorrow or the next day.
December 31, 2012 (Encinitas) – San Diego Sheriff asks residents countywide for help to identify three males who forcibly tried to kidnap an 18-year-old woman today in Encinitas. The suspects drove an older black pickup truck with orange horizontal stripes near the fenders and gardening gear in the truck bed. 
January 2, 2013 (Otay)--“Look out, Santee, here’s your future,” Tom Lemon writes, referring to the Quail Brush gas-fired peaker power plant proposed just outside of Mission Trails Regional Park. Curious to see what a peaker plant actually looks like – not just in drawings prepared by the developer—Lemon ventured to Otay Mesa, where a gas-fired peaker plant recently opened. Note: Peaker plants run intermittently to fill demand at peak power usage times. These photos were taken when the plant was not fired up. When in operation, the facility would include emissions visible from the smokestacks.
Update: A memorial service is scheduled for January 5 in El Cajon. Details below.
December 31, 2012 (La Mesa) – O’Dunn Fine Art is serving up champagne and truffles today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gallery, 8325 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa. All paintings and pottery will be 10% - 50% off, including new inventory.
How will failure of Congress to halt fiscal cliff impact you?
December 30, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club is holding its next monthly luncheon on January 15 at 12 p.m. at 2156 Alpine Blvd., Alpine. The program will feature Carlette Anderson, the Club’s President and co-owner of Save-A-Heart, the CPR Pros, sharing the new guidelines for CPR and demonstrating the Heimlich maneuver.
Recent comments