Destination East County: October outings

Need money for college? Here are scholarship opportunities.

Top hat and tails is theme of La Mesa Chamber's Salute to Local Heroes Oct. 8

ECM World Watch: National and global news

Find your home's hazard risks to prepare for an emergency

Incompetence and cruelty are expensive: Trump’s actions may bankrupt U.S. treasury

Health and science highlights

HauntFest Headed to El Cajon in October

Adams Avenue Street Fair is this weekend

Lemon Fest coming to St. John of the Cross this weekend

Church hosts Compassion Experience Sept. 19-21 on global child poverty

Exclusive: ECM obtains video showing start of Coches Fire

BOULEVARD RESIDENTS AND MANZANITA TRIBAL MEMBERS SPEAK OUT ON WIND TURBINE HEALTH CONCERNS

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2012 (Boulevard)—At the latest Boulevard Planning Group meeting, community members including Native Americans shared heart-wrenching stories of how the nation's quest for renewable energy is upending their lives, dividing their communities,imperiling their health, and threatening their futures.

As in Ocotillo, where a wind project has anguished tribal members and residents with destruction of cultural and environmental resources, the community of Boulevard now faces an onslaught of massive "green" energy projects on public, tribal and private lands. 

VIEJAS OUTLETS KICK OFF HOLIDAY SHOPPING SEASON NOV. 16

Special late-night hours plus opening of Southern California's largest outdoor ice rink

November 13, 2012 (Alpine) – The Viejas Outlets will officially kick off the holiday season Friday, November 16 with the Grand Opening of Southern California’s largest outdoor ice rink, as well as special late-night store hours and promotions.

WRAP-UP ON LOCAL PROPOSITIONS: POT SALES, TAX HIKES, CHARTER CITY STATUS AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

November 13, 2012 (San Diego) – In Colorado and Washington, voters decided it's high time to legalize recreational marijuana use. But locally, voters in Lemon Grove, Imperial Beach and Solana Beach defeated initiatives that would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries.

Labor scored a win in Escondido, where a charter city ballot proposition was defeated by a 47.29% to 42.71% margin. Meanwhile in In Santee, a bastion of conservatism, voters approved raising transient occupancy taxes for hotel guests and campers from 6% to 10%, a move expected to generate $239,000 in revenues.  

AS COUNT CONTINUES, SOME RACES NARROW WHILE OTHERS WIDEN; JUST 7 VOTES SEPARATE CANDIDATES IN ONE EAST COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT

By Bill Weaver

November 13, 2012 (San Diego)—On Election Night, several important races in San Diego and East County were too close to call.  Counting is underway of mail-in and provisional ballots at the County Registrar of Voters, where about 210,000 ballots countywide remain to be counted. 

SUPPORT LOCAL MERCHANTS ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY NOV. 24

November 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Small Business Saturday aims to help support local merchants in communities across America.  This year, Saturday November 24 is Small Business Saturday-sandwiched between “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday.”

The Small Business Association and American Express urge consumers to support participating businesses in your community. Qualified small businesses can get free online advertising and marketing materials. 

Last year, more than 100,000 people participated.  Find more information at www.shopsmall.com and scroll down for additional details on how you can participate.

MOTHER GOOSE PARADE NOV. 18 TO DEPICT A CENTENNIAL OF HISTORY IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2012 (El Cajon) - In honor of El Cajon's centennial celebration, each chapter of this year's 66th annual Mother Goose Parade will be dedicated to a 10-year period of the city's history.

Mayor Mark Lewis will be the grand marshall of the parade, which features elaborate floats, equestrians, marching bands, and Santa Claus to usher in the holiday season. 

ATTENTION HOLIDAY SHOPPERS: DESCANSO ARTS & CRAFTS FAIR ON NOVEMBER 17

November 13, 2012 (Descanso) – Looking for some hand-crafted, locally made gifts this holiday season? Visit the Descanso Town Hall at 24536 Viejas Grade on November 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for the Arts & Crafts Fair. 

Many local artists and craftspeople will be displaying their wares for sale.  Items include paintings, photography, jewelry, decorative gourds, custom embroidery, leather goods and much more.

“MY THREE ANGELS” PLAY TO BE PERFORMED AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE NOV. 29 – DEC. 7

November 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – “My Three Angels”, a play by Sam and Bella Spewack will be performed Nov. 29 through Dec. 7 at Grossmont College, 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon.

In French Guiana at the turn of the 20th century, three convicts on work release find themselves helping the Ducotel family with more than their roof maintenance. With an evil-minded cousin trying to take over the family business and a cold-blooded nephew set on jilting his fiancé for an heiress, the family is in need of some divine intervention. The criminals with hearts of gold step in to set matters right and, in doing so; they redeem themselves as real-life angels.

A VARIETY OF CONCERTS AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE IN NOVEMBER

November 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – No matter what music you prefer, you’ll find a concert to suit your tastes at Cuyamaca College this month.  All performances are held in the Performing Arts Theatre, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway, El Cajon beginning at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors.

ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

November13, 2012 --  (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.

WORLD

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS

November 13, 2012  --  (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:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

SUPERVISOR DIANNE JACOBS NOW ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER: USES SOCIAL NETWORKING TO ANNOUNCE HIP REPLACEMENT SURGERY

November 13, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--County Supervisor Dianne Jacob has added a new tool to stay in touch with her constituents – social media.

Jacob, who represents District 2, is now active on Facebook and Twitter, in addition to putting out a print newsletter, The Jacob Journal, and maintaining a website – www.dianne.jacob.com. “I’ve always valued my close contact with folks in my East County district,” said Jacob. “These online tools provide more ways to expand those ties, and to let my constituents know about the pressing issues facing our region and the rest of San Diego County.”

RENO DISPATCH: WHAT DOES THIS ELECTION REALLY MEAN FOR VETERANS?

November 11, 2012 (San Diego) – Veterans Day is a day to remember and honor all American men and women who served our country. But this year, it's also a day to reflect on just what impact last week's election will have on America's 22 million veterans.

In his stirring victory speech late Tuesday night, President Obama passionately reminded the nation how important it is to support our warriors and their families. He reiterated that support today in a speech at the Arlington Memorial Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater, saying, "No one who fights for this country overseas should ever have to fight for a job, or a roof over their head, or the care that they have earned when they come home."

Full column:  http://therenodispatch.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-does-this-election-really-mean-for.html

CREATIVE WRITE-A-THON AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE NOV. 17

November 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont College English Department is holding a Write-A-Thon, an all day creative writing fundraiser for the Department’s Creative Writing Program.  To participate you must raise a minimum of $50 in pledges to support literary arts programs and events.  Check-in is at 9 a.m. at 8800 Grossmont College Drive, El Cajon.

NESQUIK CHOCOLATE DRINK POWDERS RECALLED DUE TO SALMONELLA RISK

November 12, 2012 (San Diego) -- Nesquik has executed a voluntary recall of limited quantities of Nestlé NESQUIK® chocolate powder in the 10.9, 21.8 and 40.7 ounce canisters due to a supplier notifying the company of possible salmonella contamination. The voluntary recall is limited to only specific production codes of NESQUIK Chocolate Powder. No other varieties of NESQUIK powder or NESQUIK Ready-to-drink are affected by this recall.
 
To check if your NESQUIK® Chocolate Powder carries the production codes being recalled, look on the bottom of the canister, adjacent to the consumer expiration date. If you find NESQUIK Chocolate Powder, with any of the production codes listed below contact Nesequikat (800) 628-7679.

COUNTY’S "LIVE WELL, SAN DIEGO!" IMPROVING THE REGION’S HEALTH

November 12, 2012 (San Diego) --  In summer of 2010, the County launched Live Well, San Diego!, a long-term plan to improve the health and well-being of all San Diego County residents. Today, the County Board of Supervisors received a report on the impact of Live Well, San Diego! on the region during the initiative’s second year. 

“The County is committed to improving the health and well-being of the region,” said Chairman Ron Roberts, County Board of Supervisors. “Live Well, San Diego! has made considerable progress and together we are building momentum to bring about positive change for residents.”

VETERANS FACE DRIVING CHALLENGES

By Lori Abbott, California News Service

November12, 2012 (San Diego)--Many military veterans are facing challenges behind the wheel. In fact, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for military personnel in their first year after returning home from war. And USAA insurance says service members were involved in at-fault accidents 13 percent more often after deployments.

EL CAJON USHERS IN ITS CENTENNIAL AND HONORS OUR VETERANS

 

By Miriam Raftery

November 12, 2012 (El Cajon )—Congressional members Duncan Hunter and Susan Davis, community leaders, a  Navy color guard and citizens from across East County turned out this morning for a ceremony honoring veterans, celebrating the city of El Cajon’s centennial, and dedicating two legacy projects.

“May El Cajon continue to be the gateway to East County, a refugee to many, a thriving community and  place we all call home,” Chaplain Chuck Price with the El Cajon Police entreated in the invocation. 

ARAB FILM FESTIVAL PREMIERS IN SAN DIEGO NOV. 16 & 17

November 12, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego’s Karama joins forces with the Arab Film Festival (AFF) to bring the premier Arab Film Festival to Balboa Park’s Museum of Photographic Arts, 1649 El Prado, San Diego on November 16 & 17.  The Festival’s opening night begins at 6:30 p.m. with a reception followed by films that include the short Bahiya & Mahmoud, and Where Do We Go Now by Toronto Film Festival Audience Award winning director Nadine Labaki.

SAN DIEGO WRITEWAY CALENDAR OF EVENTS

For November 11 to 18, 2012For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

November 11 (Sunday, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm) — The Chino Farm will be hosting Jonathan Waxman to sign copies of his recent cookbook Italian, My Way published by Simon & Schuster. Mr. Waxman is the fourth chef in the recently launched Good Earth/Great Chefs Series, a collaboration between veteran bookseller Milane Christiansen of Vintage Works and the legendary Chino Farm.

UPDATE ON LOCAL SCHOOL BONDS

By Bill Weaver

November 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – With all precincts counted but 375,000 absentee ballots remaining to be tallied, several local school bond measures appear to have passed, while others failed to win the required 55% majority.

Bond measures that appear to have won passage include San Diego Unified, Cajon Valley, Chula Vista, South Bay, and Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College districts.

Those that appear headed to failure include Dehesa, Mountain Empire, and Ramona.

Below are the results as of last night, per San Diego County Registrar of Voters:

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY AT CRICKET WIRELESS IN LA MESA

November 11, 2012 (La Mesa)--A suspect armed with a knife attempted to rob the Cricket Wireless store located at 7014 University Avenue in La Mesa. 

On November 10 around 6:27 p.m., La Mesa Police Department received a report of an attempted robbery that had just occurred at the Cricket Wireless store located at 7014 University Avenue. An employee reported that the suspect entered the store, walked behind the counter and brandished a large knife.

HUSBAND ARRESTED IN MURDER OF IRAQI WOMAN IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

November 9, 2012 (El Cajon)—Shaima Alawadi died a violent death in her El Cajon home, suffering multiple skull fractures.  A note found next to her body  told her to “go home” to her native Iraq, sparking fears in the community that the young Muslim mother of five may have been the victim of a hate crime.

But today, El Cajon Police Chief Jim Redman announced that the victim’s husband, Kassim Alhimidi, has been arrested and charged with her murder.

EL CAJON ANTIQUE SHOW NOVEMBER 14TH

November 11, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The next antique show in El Cajon will be held on Wednesday, November 14.  See great collectibles, including jewelry, photos, artwork, dolls, textiles, dishes, pottery, glassware and more! 

This  event is held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Ronald Reagan Community Center located at 195 East Douglas Avenue, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m.  Parking and admission are free and you can receive one free appraisal.  Additional appraisals are just $5.00 each. For more information, or if you would like to be a vendor, please call (619) 887-8762.

PATTERN ENERGY SECURES FUNDING FOR COMPLETION OF OCOTILLO EXPRESS WIND PROJECT

By Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2012 (Ocotillo) – North American Development Bank has announced that it has approved a 20-year, $110 million construction loan for completion of Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind energy facility.  The bank, which is capitalized by both  the U.S. and Mexican governments, funds projects within 62 miles of the international border. 

SDG&E has signed a 20-year purchase agreement for power from the project, which is on track to become the first renewable energy project to tie into the Sunrise Powerlink, bringing electricity from Imperial Valley to San Diego.

BOOK REVIEW: LOST GIRLS OFFERS CHILLING AND RIVETING INSIGHTS INTO KING AND DUBOIS MURDERS

Lost Girls, by Caitlin Rother (Kensington Publishing Corp., New York, NY, 2012, 372 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 10, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother, a San Diego resident and journalist, has written a true-crime book that I am sure will resonate with all parents: Lost Girls. Pulitzer-nominated author Rother delivers an incisive, heartbreaking true-life thriller that touches our deepest fears. It is the story of John Gardner, who raped and murdered local San Diego teens Chelsea King and Amber Dubois.

Rother dedicates her book to the memories of King and Dubois, and all other girls and boys who have been lost to sexual predators. She feels that by shedding light on these dark events, she can only hope that it will help prevent similar tragedies in the future.

A MAN AND HIS THREE MULES

 

Story, photos and video by Billy Ortiz    

Video clip

 

 

 

Like the pioneers of old, he packs his mules...walking from town to town searching not for gold or silver or fame, but for the land that connects his three mules and himself.

November 10, 2012 (Lakeside)--A lone drifter, age unknown, rides into Lakeside, California with only his thoughts and his three trusted mules. North and south, east and west, they wander the country. Guided only by the love of the earth and its creatures, the man who goes by the name Mule allows his trusted mules to lead him.

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