March 9, 2013 (Bonita) – The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a case that could result in significant changes or weakening of the federal Voting Rights Act, a landmark law which guarantees one of our most important civil rights, the right to vote.
On Tuesday, March 12, the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club will host a presentation on the Voting Rights Act and the case now before the Supreme Court. Refreshments will be served at 6:30, followed by the meeting at 7 p.m.
March 9, 2013 (Valley Center) -- What could be more relaxing than a Holiday English High Tea served up amid fields of lavender?
On March 16, enjoy an early St. Patrick’s Day tea featuring lavender scones served with jam and Devonshire cream, Irish artisan cheese, apples and candied nut crumbles sandwiches, and decadent Irish butter shortbread dreams. This festive fare will be served up at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center.
March 9, 2013 (Julian)--There will be an old fashioned brunch between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and noon at the historic Pine Hills Lodge, tucked into the woods near Julian. The cost is $12.95 for adults, $10.95 Children 10 and under and, $5 for a highchair.
Also Get Dog Licenses, Microchips and Rabies Vaccinations Sunday Clinic
March 9, 2013 (San Diego) – In an effort to prevent the birth of unwanted kittens and puppies this time of year, County Animal Services will continue to offer $100 coupons for spaying female cats and also make the coupons available for spaying female pit bulls and Chihuahuas through the month of March while supplies last. Coupons for $75 are available for both male and female dogs of other breeds and male cats.
Pet owners can pick up the coupons from noon to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10 during a clinic at County Animal Services located at 5480 Gaines Street in San Diego. Owners can also get their four-legged family members microchipped, vaccinated and licensed during that time.
March 9, 2013 (Lakeside) - Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods at Riverview Elementary School and Lakeside Union School District’s 5th Annual International Fair on Saturday, March 16th from 11am to 5pm. This fun-filled community event, complete with a one-of-the-kind silent auction, inflatables for the kids, photo booth, face painting, petting zoo and local product vendor and food booths takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside. All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662, go to http://www.lsusd.net/Domain/690 or check out our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverview-International-Fair/158649264184882?fref=ts
March 9, 2013 (San Diego) – When Sam Raimi is at the helm, look out! His films bristle with energy. Lots of it. This trademark began with his first film, The Evil Dead. Even though it was made on a shoestring budget, its brisk editing, overpowering scares, and elaborate make-up and gross-out special effects made it simultaneously freaky and exhausting.
March 9, 2013 (Ranchita) -- For most people, their home is their sanctuary. Having a cell tower erected close to your home or in your neighborhood would be an issue. Yet, if you disagreed with a neighbor’s application to install a cell tower, ranging in height to 58’, would you be able to do anything about it? In the unincorporated community of Ranchita, which is 4,065 feet elevation and approximately 12 miles southwest of Borrego Springs, a group of residents is finding out. These residents have formed an organization, Ranchita Community Group for Responsible Cell Tower Siting. They have committed to proving to the county that the proposed location of a new Verizon cell tower is inappropriate. The construction company is Vista Towers, LLC. The county’s job is to review the application for the tower.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – Troy Teague, former Executive Director of the La Posta Gaming Commission, pled guilty today to embezzling $57,000 from the la Posta Band of Mission Indians. The plea was made before Magistrate Judge Jan Adler, U.S. Attorney Laura E. Duffy announced.
The La Posta Casino (photo, left) shut down in October 2012. A letter written by Tribal Council Chairwoman Gwendolyn Parada to employees stated that the casino, located off I-8, would close “due to its current financial situation,” 10 News reported. The smallest of San Diego County’s casinos, at its peak La Posta employed approximately 100 people.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego)--The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall. Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that 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.
While many coastal storm drains within San Diego County are permanently posted with white metal warning signs, additional temporary warning signs are not posted for General Advisories. Activities such as swimming, surfing and diving should be avoided in all coastal waters for 72 hours following rain.
Alvarado Hospital Expert Offers Tips for Adjusting to the Time Change
By Tina Barker
March 8, 2013 (San Diego)--With daylight saving time just around the corner, moving our clocks forward one hour on Sunday, March 10 at 2 a.m. also means losing one hour of sleep.
To some this may mean complaints of fatigue, memory lapses, impaired reaction time and clumsiness, but according to researchers that report in the New England Journal of Medicine there is a connection between sleep deprivation and cardiovascular health risks. An increase in the amount of heart attacks could occur during the first week of this time change.
The following tips given by Dr. Larry Emdur, pulmonologist, with Alvarado Hospital Sleep Center offers the following tips to help your body adjust to the time change in a faster and easier transition and alleviate your chances of serious cardiovascular health risks.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – The California Highway Patrol reported 343 collisions during today’s rain storm in just five hours, between 12 noon and 5 p.m , throughout San Diego County. That’s several times higher than a normal good weather day, which averages 50 to 75 crashes.
March 8, 2013 (City Heights) – Refugee farmers from Myanmar who participate in the International Refugee Committee’s agriculture training program will host a grand opening of their independent farm business , Hornbill Produce, at their new produce stand at City Farmer’s Nursery, 4832 Home Avenue in City Heights.
From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy live music with local Bluegrass/American Folk heroes Songs for People and traditional cultural dance from Myanmar. Tour the nursery and visit with the pony, chickens and goats. Stay for lunch at Nate’s Garden Grill.
March 8, 2013 (Blossom Valley)--This one-year-old, female 10 lb tiny Schnoodle (Schnauzer/ Poodle) loves to follow us around our large acreage. She bonds very closely and strives to stay with her family, and loves to play when she is not being cuddled. She shows us that she is friendly with all dogs, and people of all ages. She is trustworthy if left outside alone, and will stay with our small pack of dogs.
If you are interested in this little princess please email me the life you can give to her including the amount of hours she will be alone while you are at work, and the family members she will have.
March 8, 2013 (Alpine)--This question will be addressed at the next ACPG Circulation Subcommittee, scheduled for 6:30 pm on March 14 at the Alpine Community Center.
Bob Citrano, SD County Planner will be on hand to explain the roadway improvements recommended in a recent Supplemental Environmental Impact Report. San Diego County is seeking public comments on the SEIR report for the Former FCI lands which are the subject of a proposed amendment to the San Diego General plan adopted in 2011. Although the amendment deals with land use density changes in nine planning areas within the County including areas north, east and south of Alpine, the traffic assessment portion of the SEIR deals with the traffic impacts that increased population would bring to Alpine.
March 8, 2013 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Union High School District has announced that it will not bring any certificated teacher layoff notices to the Governing Board at this time. By law, school districts are required to send preliminary notices to certificated staff (teachers) by March 15 if they won’t be offered a contract for the next school year.
The decision was based upon data released by the California Department of Finance last week, where it appears that a version of the Governor’s Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) will result in funding that is adequate to mitigate the effect of the District’s projected enrollment decline of 879 students next year. Other budget solutions, including the commitment of $7.1 million in district reserves, will be used to cover shortfalls that might exist due to structural deficits that persist.
March 8, 2013 (La Mesa)--Shortly after 6:00 a.m. this morning, Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in La Mesa, with assistance from San Diego Fire, responded to reports of a structure fire in the 5700 block of Baltimore Drive. As crews arrived on scene, flames were seen coming from the roof area of a two-story condo unit at 5715 Baltimore Drive. The end unit was unoccupied and in the process of being renovated, the neighboring condo was evacuated.
March 8, 2013 (Santa Ysabel)--Savor local vintages and meet winemakers from our region at Santa Ysabel Casino’s “Meet the Winemakers” event on March 16 from 3-6 p.m. Participating vintners include J.Jenkins, Woof ‘N Rose, and Witch Creek wineries.
The event costs $30 and includes gourmet appetizers, wine tasting from local vintners, $5 in slot machine play, and $5 toward tasting on a new state-of-the-art wine system.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – March marks the beginning of spring (as well as spring break!) and National Nutrition Month. So Apartment Guide has issued its recommendations on the most fit places to live nationwide. The publication found that for many consumers—about 20 percent—the barrier to entry for getting fit isn’t due to lack dedication, but lack of disposable funds. With median income levels continuing to drop—8 percent since 2007—monthly gym memberships can be cost prohibitive. However, with so many apartment buildings featuring fitness centers (often gratis!), apartment dwellers are at an advantage here; there’s no excuse for passing on your workout!
March, 8, 2013 (La Mesa)--Fun with Physics introduces all ages and the entire family to fun, hands-on science experiments. Fun with Physics will be held on Saturday, March 16, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at the La Mesa Boys and Girls Teen Club & Highwood Park, 7775 Junior High Drive, La Mesa, 91941. Experiments include: Bubbles, Sink or Float, Oobleck, Dry Ice Experiments, Airplanes and Helicopters and more. Come join the Fun!
Update March 16, 2013: A second restraining order has been granted to Jim Pelley, the other ECM photographer threatened by Pattern Energy's manager, Russell Graham.
By Miriam Raftery
March 7, 2013 (El Centro)—Superior Court Judge Richard Bohlander today granted an injunction for civil harassment relief to protect freelance photographer Parke Ewing following a violent threat made by Russell Graham, construction manager at Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express Wind Facility.
Ewing’s photos and videos of the project have appeared in East County Magazine as well as on his own Facebook Page and a website documenting the project’s impacts on the desert and the community.
March 6, 2013 - Last week I did back to back hikes in Missions Trails Regional Park. I was treated with three Mule Deer on the trail—a great sight! I have only seen deer at Mission Trails once before and that was after the Cedar fires of 2003.
It was on my way back from North Mt. Fortuna that I spotted the trio of deer. They were not as skittish as I thought they might be and I was able to watch them and take photos for at least three or four minutes.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for minor flooding in urban areas of San Diego, as well as several East County communities including El Cajon, Santee, Spring Valley and Valley Center.
As ECM previously reported, snow is forecast for mountain areas down to 3500 feet, with thundershowers at lower elevations.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego)- Bumble Bee Foods, LLC, has issued a voluntary recall on specific codes of 5-ounce Chunk White Albacore and Chunk Light Tuna products. The recall has been issued because the products do not meet the company’s standards for seal tightness.
Loose seals or seams could result in product contamination by spoilage organisms or pathogens and lead to illness if consumed.
Public meetings set, including March 26 in Alpine and March 27 in Ramona
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – Forest Service officials are seeking public comments on the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for a Proposed Amendment to the Land Management Plans for the four Southern California national forests (the Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino).
The environmental impact statement analyzes the proposal to modify the existing land use zones allocations in selected inventoried roadless areas to include more back country non-motorized and recommended wilderness areas. It also analyzes the proposal to modify the land management plan monitoring framework. The statement evaluates alternatives for both topics, including an alternative that would recommend most of the study area as wilderness. The environmental impact statement can be found on the project webpage at: http://www.fs.fed.us/nepa/nepa_project_exp.php?project=35130
March 8, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--March 10 is the time of year when we turn our clocks ahead one hour at 2:00 a.m., or turn your clocks ahead before going to bed the night before.
In addition, remember to change the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in your home and/or business.
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – Freedom of speech, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, due process, and freedom of travel are just a smattering of the many rights the United States affords to its people.
One needn’t be overly familiar with 20th century world history to see how movies like Barbara serve as a reminder of how easy it is for Americans (admittedly myself included) to take for granted these freedoms. From 1961 to about 1990, the Berlin Wall separated the free, democratic West Germany from the communist, police state East Germany. East Germans faced police harassment, were spied and informed on to the government, and were for the most part forbidden from leaving the country.
March 3, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – What do you do after winning your second Daytona 500 race? The Harlem Shake, of course! View video of East County native and five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and his teammates shaking things up as they celebrate their latest victory: http://www.jimmiejohnson.com/cantina
Next up, Johnson will race in Saturday’s Nationwide Race at the Phonenix International Raceway. Also this week, Johnson announced that Lowe’s has renewed its sponsorship.
“We've been together for this crazy ride, and I'm so happy we're continuing it together,” Johnson said, USA Today reported.
Bill would provide federal tax adjustment to local breweries
March 7, 2013 (San Diego)-- To help the local craft brewing industry, Congresswoman Susan Davis (CA-53) joined a bipartisan group of members in cosponsoring H.R. 494, the Small Brewer Reinvestment and Expanding Workforce Act.
“San Diego is increasingly becoming known as a hub of the craft brewing industry, which has contributed to the growth of small businesses and jobs in the region,” said Davis, a member of the House Small Business Caucus. “Small, independent brewers are a fast rising segment of our economy and Congress should help them compete against large, multi-national brewers.”
March 7, 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:
March 6, 2013 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Foundation will present a Mardi Gras parade on March 10 from 1-4 p.m. at the Alpine Creek Town Center shopping center. The parade will feature floats and the Easter Bunny.
Admission is free to the event, which also features a craft fair, face painting, food booths from local restaurants, West Coast Riders action photos and more.
Also Get Dog Licenses, Microchips and Rabies Vaccinations Sunday Clinic
March 9, 2013 (Lakeside) - Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods at Riverview Elementary School and Lakeside Union School District’s 5th Annual International Fair on Saturday, March 16th from 11am to 5pm. This fun-filled community event, complete with a one-of-the-kind silent auction, inflatables for the kids, photo booth, face painting, petting zoo and local product vendor and food booths takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside. All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662, go to 
By Brian Lafferty
By Ariele Johannson
By Tina Barker
By Greg Dunne
Public meetings set, including March 26 in Alpine and March 27 in Ramona
March 8, 2013 (San Diego) – Freedom of speech, protection from unreasonable searches and seizures, due process, and freedom of travel are just a smattering of the many rights the United States affords to its people. 
March 7, 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:
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