October 16, 2012 (El Cajon)--The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will be visiting Johnson Elementary School in El Cajon today to meet with students during two assemblies. They'll be teaching students about the "ABC*s of Bullying" - a Harlem Globetrotters pilot anti-bullying awareness program.
The ABC’s of Bullying Prevention program originated through partnership with the National Campaign to Stop Violence. Each year, the nonprofit organization hosts its Do the Write Thing Challenge. Last year, 60,000 middle-school students wrote essays on violence in their lives—and the most frequent experiences described by students traced back to bullying.
October 13, 2012 (El Cajon)—The San Diego Grand Jury has launched an investigation into possible misuse of bond funds by the Grossmont Union High School District’s board majority, muliple sources have confirmed to East County Magazine.
“We’re in a Grand Jury investigation about Alpine,” GUHSD board trustee Priscilla Schreiber told ECM. Schreiber said she learned of the probe “by accident” while in the District’s office. Schreiber has been a vocal critic of the Board majority (Trustees Gary Woods, Jim Kelly, and Robert Shields) for blocking construction of a high school for Alpine while allowing diversion of school bond funds for costly new projects not mandated in two bond measures, Prop H and Prop U. Both measures were approved by voters and specifically called for a new high school in Alpine.
October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Graco Children’s Products Inc., has recalled about 86,000 Graco Classic Wood Highchairs. The highchair’s seat can loosen or detach from the base, posing a fall hazard to a child. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately and call Graco for a free repair kit.
October 15, 2012 (San Diego)--African Restaurant Week, which starts on Friday, October 19th and ends on Sunday, October 28th is an event being hosted by a variety of African restaurants to showcase and promote African businesses and culture in San Diego. Just like San Diego Restaurant Week, participating businesses from throughout the City of San Diego will create a special prix fixe menu featuring special appetizers, main courses and desserts.
October 15, 0212 (Rancho San Diegoi) -- ECM videographer Paul Kruze rescued "Pitaya" after her prior owner had to move away for a new job. This sweet, 9-year-old tortoise-shell grey kitty is very "loving and calm" says Paul.
But she needs a new home loving home immediately because Paul's other cat, also a rescue animal, is not getting along with the newcomer. We're hoping one of our generous readers will come forward to save Pitaya!
October 15, 2012 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) learned today that Military Warriors Support Foundation is currently accepting applications online from combat-wounded veterans and unmarried Gold Star Spouses of OIF/OEF for newly-renovated, 100% mortgage-free homes in Bakersfield, Crescent City, Riverbank, Sacramento and Stockton, California.
October 15, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union School District today sent an email alert from Superintendent Tom Pellegrino warning of an older man who has twice attempted to persuade a female student to get in his car. Below is the warning sent by the Superintendent today:
October 17, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land announced Sally Nelson as the 2012 Cox Conserves Hero (click to see video). Sponsored locally by Think Blue San Diego and radio partners KYXY 96.5 and Energy 103.7 FM, Cox Conserves Heroes honors volunteers who are creating preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces.
Nelson was nominated by Lakeside's River Park Conservancy because of her commitment to the local environment, education and community awareness. Nelson has been volunteering for over 10 years. She has been active in every event the River Park has had, from the first purchase of land to the trail opening.
The 2nd Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration recognizes individuals who have helped to bridge the gap between the East African refugee community and greater San Diego
October 15, 2012 (San Diego)—Somali Family Service of San Diego is hosting the 2nd Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration to recognize the accomplishments of San Diego leaders who have contributed to the advancement of the Somali and East African refugee community in the city. The event celebrates the refugee journey to a new homeland (Ocean) and unity among cultures (Leaf).
October 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – Make plans to build a better future today! In partnership with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, the Grossmont Union High School District is hosting its ninth annual Got Plans? Career & College Fair for high school students and parents on Saturday, October 20, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Grossmont College.
October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego State University announced on Thursday, October 11 a transformative gift from two former faculty members. Professors Emeriti Carey Wall and Terry O’Donnell have partnered on a $2.4 million dollar gift to SDSU’s musical theater program.
Wall’s and O’Donnell’s gift will endow a faculty position in the nationally renowned program. The funding ensures SDSU musical theatre students will continue to have opportunities to learn from top faculty members.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego)- Democrat Jerry Tetalman is running against Republican Congressman Darrell Issa in the 49th District this November. Issa is among the wealthiest members of Congress and has long been viewed as invincible in a largely Republican district—though Citizens for Responsible Ethics in Washington (CREW) have documented numerous controversies and most recently, filed ethics and a Department of Justice complaint against Issa.
Tetalman supports a future of peace and prosperity based on building a world ruled by democratic law rather than force, and a sustainable economy in harmony with the environment.
Video, full text, analysis, polls, and fact check links
By Miriam Raftery
October 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—In a combative debate, Vice President Joe Biden and VP candidate Paul Ryan faced off at Kentucky Centre College last Thursday on both foreign and domestic policy issues.
Unlike President Barack Obama, who drew criticism from supporters for being “too polite” in failing to counter attacks and even misleading statements by Mitt Romney in the presidential debate, a scrappy Biden defended the administration’s record with the aggressiveness of a prize fighter, calling out Ryan repeatedly on factual errors or exaggerations. Unflapped, Senator Ryan fired back some verbal barbs of his own as he made his case for a Romney-Ryan ticket and assailed the adminstration's record.
October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)—A woman carrying her 2-year-old child in the 8000 block of University Avenue in La Mesa was pushed from behind, then robbed of her purse at 7:30 p.m. last night.
According to La Mesa Police, the victim was crossing the street when the man shoved her in the back, then stole her purse and fled. Neither the woman nor her child were injured. The suspect remains at large.
October 14, 2012 (Los Angeles)-- ECM photographer Ron Logan, in Los Angeles this week, snapped this historic image of the Space Shuttle Endeavor on its final journey to the California Science Center in Inglewood.
Astronauts, movie stars and political leaders were on hand. State Senator Roderick Wright concluded, that the reason for making the California Science Center the Endeavor's final home is "because we want you to know, every young person here in the audience, that the universe is your limit. You can go as high as you choose to go."
October 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – The East region community will celebrate Food Day on October 26 at The Palms, 143 East Main St., El Cajon from 9:30 am. To 1:00 p.m. The forum will address what is being done in East Region schools, businesses and communities to increase healthy eating.
October 13, 2012 (San Diego) – East County parks have Halloween covered, from haunted hikes to safe Halloween events. Following is a list of what’s happening around the County.
October 13, 2012 (Palomar) – The 2012 Apple Festival at Palomar Mountain State Park will take place October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the park is free courtesy of Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association. The park is located at 19952 State Park Rd., Palomar.
October 13, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A four-vehicle accident that has injured six patients is blocking lanes on eastbound State Route 94 this evening, IPN reports. A SIG alert has been issued and the highway is shut down at Federal in Lemon Grove.
According to the CHP website, a wrong-way driver was reported at the scene shortly before the crash was reported. Victims include children and elderly; a medical helicopter has been requested.
October 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –Incumbent John Linden is running for reelection for Helix Water Board’s District 1 seat against Mario Tilaro. ECM sent questions to both candidates. Linden’s responses are below. Tilaro, a small businessman and owner of Fletcher Hills Business Center, did not respond. Linden’s responses are below.
October 11, 2012 (Miramar Marine Corp Air Station)—This weekend’s air show at Miramar is the largest show in the continental United States, according to Lt. Col. Farnan. Visitors to the base can expect to see “more civilian and military aircraft in one place” than anywhere else.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- In the November election, community planning association (CPA)/community planning group races countywide give voters few choices. Most are not competitive – with either the exact number of candidates as seats vacant or in several cases, fewer candidates than openings. That means many vacancies will be filled by appointments approved by Supervisor Dianne Jacob.
The moral of the story? If you want to have a say-so in development projects planned for your area, run for office! Your odds of getting elected are high, based on this year’s low number of candidates. Plus if your planning group has fewer candidates than seats open, you can ask to be considered for appointment to fill a vacancy.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego) – Roughly half the people interviewed at the beginning of Grave Encounters 2 describe the first one as scary, while the other half says they weren’t frightened. I aligned myself with the latter group. Grave Encounters was an average found footage horror film with little originality, cheap special effects, and zero scares.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego) -- In the summer of 1993 my family and I went on a road trip through the Midwest. Among our stops was St. Louis. As the afternoon began to wind down, we headed for the parking garage. It started to get overcast. Shortly after, it started to rain a little bit. Within seconds it poured like the dickens. My parents, sisters, and I had to run all the way to the parking garage, but not before we were totally drenched. We were so sopping wet, we had to change in the parking garage.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--In the Mountain Empire Unified School District school board race there are three seats up for election. Voters will also be asked whether to approve a bond measure for local schools.
The candidates currently sitting on the Board of Trustees at MEUSD are board President Tina Heimerdinger, Jeffrey G. Morrison, and Tina Ambrose. Ambrose unopposed. Heimerdinger is opposed by Tom Brady,attorney, in Trustee Area 6. Jeffrey G. Morrison is being challenged by Diane Yops, an educator and business owner, in Trustee Area 2.
October 12, 2012 (Campo) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum presents its 2012 Pumpkin Express beginning October 13, for 3 full weekends. The whole family can enjoy a one hour vintage train ride to the Pumpkin Patch.
Proposition 39 adjusts taxes for multi-state corporations to fund clean energy programs
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Prop 39 changes tax laws to require businesses operating in several states to pay California income tax based on the percentage of sales from California. From this money saved, California would dedicate $550 million every year for five years toward energy efficiency jobs and projects that create clean energy.
ECM article helped shed light on misreprentation, Lincoln Club’s Stirling reveals
By Miriam Raftery
October 11, 2012 (San Diego) –Jim Miller, candidate for Superior Court Judge, failed to disclose in his candidate questionnaire that he had been removed for cause as a Judge Pro Tempore, the San Diego Lincoln Club announced today. A press release issued by the conservative business group states that Miller “misrepresented the facts” when asked for comments on the allegations in private.
“Such conduct does not meet the high ethical standards that Lincoln Club members believe are required for judicial officers,” the release concludes. Last night, the Club’s Board of Directors voted to withdraw its endorsement of Miller and to endorse his opponent, Deputy District Attorney Robert Amador.
October 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Zach Miller has first-hand knowledge of what a student needs to learn. Now 19 and a junior at SDSU, he is running for the Grossmont Union High School District Board to apply some critical thinking skills and assure that students' needs are met.
At age 5, he was admitted to American MENSA, an organization for those with genius-level IQs. He headed up Academic League teams and was captain of the Rubik’s Cube Competitive Team at Cajon Valley High School, where he graduated with honors. While still in high school, he took community college classes; finishing 10th grade he enrolled at San Diego State University’s mechanical engineering program.
His priority is to ensure that teachers and students have resources to teach and learn. He hopes to include more Advanced Placement and honors classes and increases in student enrollment, resources for AVID courses. He hopes to better the district, to look at what the schools need and use the money to help students learn instead of luxuries, such as building new swimming pools and performing arts centers.
October 16, 2012 (El Cajon)--The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters will be visiting Johnson Elementary School in El Cajon today to meet with students during two assemblies. They'll be teaching students about the "ABC*s of Bullying" - a Harlem Globetrotters pilot anti-bullying awareness program.
By Miriam Raftery
October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Graco Children’s Products Inc., has recalled about 86,000 Graco Classic Wood Highchairs. The highchair’s seat can loosen or detach from the base, posing a fall hazard to a child. Consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately and call Graco for a free repair kit.
October 15, 2012 (San Diego)--African Restaurant Week, which starts on Friday, October 19th and ends on Sunday, October 28th is an event being hosted by a variety of African restaurants to showcase and promote African businesses and culture in San Diego. Just like San Diego Restaurant Week, participating businesses from throughout the City of San Diego will create a special prix fixe menu featuring special appetizers, main courses and desserts. 
October 15, 2012 (Sacramento) -- The California Department of Veterans Affairs (CalVet) learned today that Military Warriors Support Foundation is currently accepting applications online from combat-wounded veterans and unmarried Gold Star Spouses of OIF/OEF for newly-renovated, 100% mortgage-free homes in Bakersfield, Crescent City, Riverbank, Sacramento and Stockton, California.
October 17, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land announced 
The 2nd Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration recognizes individuals who have helped to bridge the gap between the East African refugee community and greater San Diego
October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego State University announced on Thursday, October 11 a transformative gift from two former faculty members. Professors Emeriti Carey Wall and Terry O’Donnell have partnered on a $2.4 million dollar gift to SDSU’s musical theater program.
By Janis Mork
By Miriam Raftery
October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)—A woman carrying her 2-year-old child in the 8000 block of University Avenue in La Mesa was pushed from behind, then robbed of her purse at 7:30 p.m. last night. 
October 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – The East region community will celebrate Food Day on October 26 at The Palms, 143 East Main St., El Cajon from 9:30 am. To 1:00 p.m. The forum will address what is being done in East Region schools, businesses and communities to increase healthy eating.
October 13, 2012 (San Diego) – East County parks have Halloween covered, from haunted hikes to safe Halloween events. Following is a list of what’s happening around the County.
October 13, 2012 (Palomar) – The 2012 Apple Festival at Palomar Mountain State Park will take place October 21 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission to the park is free courtesy of Friends of Palomar Mountain State Park and Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association. The park is located at 19952 State Park Rd., Palomar.
October 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) –Incumbent John Linden is running for reelection for Helix Water Board’s District 1 seat against Mario Tilaro. ECM sent questions to both candidates. Linden’s responses are below. Tilaro, a small businessman and owner of Fletcher Hills Business Center, did not respond. Linden’s responses are below. 
By Nadin Abbott
By Janis Mork
October 12, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff. Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.
By Brian Lafferty
By Brian Lafferty
By Ariele Johannson
October 12, 2012 (Campo) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum presents its 2012 Pumpkin Express beginning October 13, for 3 full weekends. The whole family can enjoy a one hour vintage train ride to the Pumpkin Patch.
adjusts taxes for multi-state corporations to fund clean energy programs
er 11, 2012 (San Diego) –Jim Miller, candidate for Superior Court Judge, failed to disclose in his candidate questionnaire that he had been removed for cause as a Judge Pro Tempore, the San Diego Lincoln Club announced today. A press release issued by the conservative business group states that Miller “misrepresented the facts” when asked for comments on the allegations in private.
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