October 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – HauntFest on Main is a new free event taking place in Downtown El Cajon on October 26, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event will kick off a week long Centennial Celebration of the City of El Cajon that focuses on the historic downtown district. HauntFest on Main will be a family-friendly event featuring live music from over 16 bands on multiple stages. Performers include Eve Selis, Without Au Doubt, One Eighty and much more.
October 19, 2012 (San Diego) -- SmartVoter.org, the popular election website managed by the League of Women Voters, offers comprehensive easily accessible online election information for voters.
This website offers all candidates free space to post their own messages to voters. Voters just enter their address and they will see which races and propositions will be on their ballot. The candidates’ information will include biographical highlights, priorities, political philosophy, a photo, list of endorsers, position papers, and links to their websites.
October 16, 2012 (Spring Valley)- Civil engineer John Revels is running for the San Miguel Fire Board. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, he shared his views on his candidacy and the future of the fire district.
Revels was motivated to run because, “I got a flyer of what was going on at San Miguel fire board. I have nothing against Cal Fire; they are a great organization. I wanted to keep San Miguel independent as it’s always been [before the merger with Cal Fire]. So a year ago, I started attending meetings and talking to people, and I also went to meetings to speak to the board at Cuyamaca College.”
JPA is first in California involving a Native American tribe
By Miriam Raftery
October 18, 2012 (El Cajon ) – The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians and Heartland Fire Training Authority this week announced that they have entered into a historic Joint Powers Agreement (JPA).
“This JPA finally allows Viejas to have a seat at the table and have a full and meaningful partnership with other fire agencies that we’ve worked with for years in a very productive way,” said Viejas Fire Chief Don Butz. “Ultimately, this benefits the entire region, since wildfires and other natural disasters do not recognize geographic, political or other borders. We are all stronger and better protected when we work and train together.”
October 18, 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:
STATE
Foreclosures drop dramatically statewide (Sacramento Bee)
Cal-Pers approves 85% rate hike for long-term care (Sacramento Bee)
LOCAL
State denies SDG&E bailout (10 News)
Judge delays SDG&E trial amid noose talk (UT San Diego)
San Diego Supervisors vote to charge poor for their Sixth Amendment rights (Citybeat)
Lawsuit says police shouldn’t decide who is a reporter (UT San Diego)
Unplugging wind subsidies: Looming end of wind (UT San Diego)
Bilbray, Peters spar in first debate (UT San Diego)
The race for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
State Treasurer: Fire Poway bond staff (Voice of San Diego)
CPUC launches probe of San Onofre, its costs (UT San Diego)
Charter school in La Mesa ranked eighth in state in API scores
Real DeMaio doesn’t live up to ‘taxpayer watchdog’ name (Voice of San Diego)
SDGLN won’t accept pro-Filner ads (CityBeat)
Trailer Parks in La Mesa? One Council Candidate Welcomes the Idea
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Pat Hurley is the Democratic candidate for State Assembly District 71 (formerly the 77th), a district that holds a huge voter registration advantage for the Republican incumbent Brian Jones. Pat Hurley is the dark horse in this race. As a nonprofit executive, he’s experienced at creating good-paying jobs and helping to transition our region to a green economy. Now in an exclusive interview with ECM, he details his plan for jobs and economic growth, making his case for why voters should pick him as the winner to represent the people of East County.
October 18, 2012 (Pala) -- The Pala Fire Department along with the Pala Band of Mission Indians will hold its 7th Annual Fire Prevention Fair on October 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pala Fire Station on Hwy 76 in Pala. This event is free and open to the public.
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Debbie Berton Walk to end breast cancer will be October 28 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa. The public is welcome to participate in this community event.
The walk is a relaxed 1.5 miles starting from the baseball fields at Lake Murray. Admission is not required, but with a minimum $20 tax deductible advance donation a T-shirt is provided. Two additional registration levels are also available. Register online at www.TheDebbieBertonWalk.com by midnight October 25. Walk-in registrations and donations are welcome the day of the event.
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art, located in the La Mesa Biz Center presents Practicing the Present October 20 through January 2. The opening receptions will be October 20 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The show will look at all aspects of the present. Biz Center Art gallery manager Midge Hyde said, “This show runs from Fall 2012 into the new year. I just thought it was a good time to look at where we are as artists, people and members of this community.”
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha announces comedy performances on Friday nights at the Mesa Grill, Holiday Inn La Mesa. The program debuts October 19 with comics from NBC’s Friday night, the Latino Laugh Festival and Comedy Central’s Danny Villalpando as well as the “Amazing” Al Gavi.
Kyocera, TurboTec, and String Quartet photos by Eric Ragin
October 18, 2012 (Tijuana)--As an American living in Tijuana, I have a unique perspective and vantage point on Tijuana Innovadora 2012, the 10-day showcase of business technology and culture in Tijuana, Mexico, that opened October 11, 2012 and ends on October 21, 2012. The eyes of the world will once more turn to Tijuana, truly a mosaic of Mexico, and discover what creativity and courage has led them to create. There’s no doubt, they are bound for greatness.
October 18, 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.
Fresh signs of U.S. housing recovery (BBC)
This is the biggest economic story in the world ( Business Insider)
Man arrested after plotting federal reserve bomb, authorities say (CNN)
Women’s issues move to forefront after debate (Washington Post)
Romney’s missteps on Libya may hurt criticism of Obama foreign policy (Washington Post)
Obama edges Romney in second debate: Poll (CBS)
Conservatives assail debate moderator Crowley (CBS)
WORLD
Report: Syria using widely banned cluster bombs (Christian Science Monitor)
Israel parliament to hold new election (UT San Diego)
Russia moves to prosecute leader of protests (Reuters)
Thousands of British troops to leave Afghanistan in 2013 (Reuters)
Thousands march in Spain to protest austerity (UT San Diego)
French president proposes banning homework (ABC News)
Firefox 16: latest upgrade taken offline due to security (BBC)
Fundraiser a success, but more help is needed: “wish list” provided for families who lost homes
By Miriam Raftery
October 17, 2012 (Jacumba/Boulevard)—Ray Ritter, 2, and his parents are among nine families who lost everything in the Shockey Fire last month. The home they were renting burned to the ground and they had no insurance. But that’s just the latest in a string of tragedies for the Ritters.
“Dad died September 14,” Monica Ritter told ECM. “His memorial service was Sept. 20 and on the 21st, our house burned down.”
ECM met the Ritter family at a fundraiser for Shockey Fire victims held last Friday at the Jacumba community center, where firefighters and community members turned out to raise $1,378.59. The Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation had already given over $3500 to the families during recovery after the fire—but now fire victims need additional help to rebuild their lives as the cold season draws near.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The editor of the Chaldean Times in Detroit, Michigan has asked that we provide a link to their recent articles on elections in which Chaldean candidates were running for office. El Cajon has the second highest population of Iraqi Chaldean Christians in the U.S., after Detroit.
October 18, 2012(San Diego) -- A six-part marketing seminar series directed at micro, small and mid-size business owners/managers. The first class was a sell-out, prompting the opening of a second session on developing a marketing plan on October 25th.
"This is the time of year when business owners and managers should be reviewing the successes and challenges of the past year and putting together a marketing plan for 2013 so they can hit the ground running come January 2nd," says Rama Beerfas, Chief Solutions Specialist at Lev Promotions and seminar presenter.
Rama Beerfas, Lev Promotions' Chief Solutions Specialist and Seminar Presenter
October 18, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A suspect is in custody after a violent incident at 8866 Lamar in Spring Valley yesterday morning. IPN reports that an armed man in a vehicle rammed another vehicle, sparking an incident in which medics were requested.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather service has issued a hazardous weather statement for our region. Elevated fire weather conditions are forecast for the next week due to hot, dry conditions in the mountains and gusty northeast to east winds in deserts and foothills. The most severe conditions are expected Thursday.
Yesterday, record high temperatures were set in El Cajon (102), Ramona (98) and Escondido (100).
How Their Histories Shaped 79th Assembly District Candidates Mary England, Dr. Shirley Weber
Story and photos by Mark Gabrish Conlan
October 12, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Throughout their adult lives, Republican Mary England has been a businesswoman and Dr. Shirley Weber, a Democrat, has been a teacher. That’s the most important thing you need to know about the two rival candidates for California State Assembly from the newly created 79th District.
Throughout their interviews for East County Magazine, they kept coming back to their professional backgrounds and how those shaped not only their private lives but also their public ones. On just about every issue, including how to balance Californians’ desires for government programs with their limited willingness to pay for them in taxes, their fundamentally different life histories shape their views.
Upate: Patch.com has coverage of a Lemon Grove Council candidate debate: http://patch.com/A-zfM4
Six candidates vie for seats
By Mark Gabrish Conlan
October 14, 2012 (Lemon Grove)--When the Republican Party swept the 2010 elections nationwide, their triumph stretched as far down as the small city of Lemon Grove in east San Diego County. The Lemon Grove City Council switched from a Democratic to a Republican majority, and in looking for items to cut from their budget they zeroed in on the city’s recreation department.
The vote wasn’t totally party-line. Democratic Mayor Mary Sessom joined Republican Councilmembers Mary England and Howard Cook in eliminating the recreation department and its annual budget of up to $260,000 per year, while Republican Councilmember Jerry Jones joined Democrat George Gastil in voting to keep it.
But the debate over community services versus fiscal responsibility, and the lingering bitterness of some Lemon Grove residents and civic activists over the Council targeting recreation to balance the city’s budget, has become the main theme of the 2012 Lemon Grove City Council race.
October 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly 50 industrial-scale renewable energy projects are planned in San Diego’s East County and neighboring Imperial County. San Diego Supervisors will vote Dec. 5 on a wind ordinance that could open vast tracts of scenic areas and rural communities to skyscraper-sized wind turbines to harness renewable power. There are costs, however, to ther environment and risks to health and safety of residents, including heightened fire danger.
On Thursday, Oct. 18, ECM editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest speaker at the East County Democratic Club, making a presentation on impacts these big energy projects pose for on our region. The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Program starts at 7 p.m., if you wish to purchase dinner, arrive at 6 p.m.
If you would like a presentation on wind energy issues to your organization, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org to arrange for a speaker or a Powerpoint presentation that you may use.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – There are numerous important initiatives on the November 6 ballot. Topics include education funding, clean energy, criminal penalties, taxes and labeling what’s in your food. For our nonpartisan analysis and arguments on both sides of each proposition, click the links below.
Raúl Alcalá presides over event to promote bike riding
By Dennis Moore
Photos by Eric Regan
October 17, 2012 (Tijuana)--An estimated 3,000 cyclists took to Tijuana streets Tuesday evening “Pedaling Toward Greatness,” as part of Tijuana Innovadora.
The 20-kilometer ride capped a day at the conference focused on the medical industry.
October 17, 2012 (Ramona) -- Ramona CERT was among eight beneficiaries named in the inaugural 2012 awards made by the newly formed affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, The Ramona Community Foundation. The team was presented with a check for $4,000 during a reception at the Ramona Community Library on Saturday, October 6.
Pictured from L-R: Shelley Stefanyszyn, Don Scott, John Degenfelder, Chair-The Ramona Community Foundation, Wes Brustad*, Board Mbr-The Ramona Community Foundation, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Burke Kremensky, Barry Davis*, and Philip Savage. Photo Credit: Maureen Robertson *San Diego Country Estates’ residents
October 17, 2012 (Vallecito)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Vallecito County Park Water System located at 37349 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA, 92036 effective immediately.
The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office announces several events to raise funds for Sheriff's Child Abuse Detective Ali Perez. Detective Perez was shot and wounded with Sergeant Craig Johnson while they were attempting to arrest a suspected child molester in Lakeside in September.
Sgt. Johnson is recovering at home.
Det. Perez face many months of recovery in the hospital. It is unknown if or when he will return to work. This incident has been a financial hardship for the Perez Family including his two daughters in college.
Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown
October 14, 2012 (Rancho San Diego) - The Halloween Spirit has taken over Cottonwood Golf Club. A 10,000 square foot maze is being constructed with hay bales on Cottonwood's driving range. It's been labled "Scary Maze" and it opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.
October 14, 2012 (Otay) - Over 25 vehicles and three homes were vandalized last night or this morning in the 1800 block of Magdalena Avenue and on side streets in Otay Ranch.
"The damage consisted mostly of spray paint on cars, garage doors or broken car windows," stated Lt. Eric Thunberg with Chula Vista Police. "Some of the damage consisted of crudely drawn swastikas or parts of the human body."
October 14, 2012 (Pala) – A coalition fighting to stop out-of-town investors from developing a garbage dump in Gregory Canyon near Pala will rally at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 20. Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Shasta Gaughen, EPA Director of the Pala Indians will be among the speakers and honored guests. The event will also feature traditional bird singing to protect Gregory Canyon as well as information on the fight to save the sacred mountain, which includes rock paintings and a medicine rock.
October 13, 2012 (Otay)—Incumbent Otay Water District board member Mark Robak faces three challengers for Seat 5: water manager David Charles, civil engineer Ronald Ripperger, and retired civil engineer Tim Stanton. East County Magazine sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates. Ripperger and Stanton did not respond. Replies from Charles and Robak are published below.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has made arrangements to offer children’s art classes for the first time. Nora Kearney-Johnson will offer four classes each Saturday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 10.
“We have been working on offering children’s art classes for over a year and Nora has the perfect program for us,” said Jay Wilson, executive director at Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation. For more information and to sign up, visit: http://www.mtrp.org/news.asp?idno=250652
October 18, 2012 (El Cajon) – HauntFest on Main is a new free event taking place in Downtown El Cajon on October 26, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. The event will kick off a week long Centennial Celebration of the City of El Cajon that focuses on the historic downtown district. HauntFest on Main will be a family-friendly event featuring live music from over 16 bands on multiple stages. Performers include Eve Selis, Without Au Doubt, One Eighty and much more.
October 19, 2012 (San Diego) -- 
By Janis Mork
JPA is first in California involving a Native American tribe
October 18, 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:
By Leon Thompson
October 18, 2012 (Pala) -- The Pala Fire Department along with the Pala Band of Mission Indians will hold its 7th Annual Fire Prevention Fair on October 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Pala Fire Station on Hwy 76 in Pala. This event is free and open to the public. 
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Debbie Berton Walk to end breast cancer will be October 28 from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Lake Murray, 5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa. The public is welcome to participate in this community event.
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Biz Center Art, located in the La Mesa Biz Center presents Practicing the Present October 20 through January 2. The opening receptions will be October 20 from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. The show will look at all aspects of the present. Biz Center Art gallery manager Midge Hyde said, “This show runs from Fall 2012 into the new year. I just thought it was a good time to look at where we are as artists, people and members of this community.”
October 18, 2012 (La Mesa) – Brew Ha Ha announces comedy performances on Friday nights at the Mesa Grill, Holiday Inn La Mesa. The program debuts October 19 with comics from NBC’s Friday night, the Latino Laugh Festival and Comedy Central’s Danny Villalpando as well as the “Amazing” Al Gavi.
By Dennis Moore
October 18, 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:
among nine families who lost everything in the Shockey Fire last month. The home they were renting burned to the ground and they had no insurance. But that’s just the latest in a string of tragedies for the Ritters.
October 18, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The editor of the Chaldean Times in Detroit, Michigan has asked that we provide a link to their recent articles on elections in which Chaldean candidates were running for office. El Cajon has the second highest population of Iraqi Chaldean Christians in the U.S., after Detroit.
October 18, 2012(San Diego) -- A six-part marketing seminar series directed at micro, small and mid-size business owners/managers. The first class was a sell-out, prompting the opening of a second session on developing a marketing plan on October 25th.
October 18, 2012 (Spring Valley) – A suspect is in custody after a violent incident at 8866 Lamar in Spring Valley yesterday morning. IPN reports that an armed man in a vehicle rammed another vehicle, sparking an incident in which medics were requested.
Story and photos by Mark Gabrish Conlan
Upate: Patch.com has coverage of a Lemon Grove Council candidate debate: 
October 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly 50 industrial-scale renewable energy projects are planned in San Diego’s East County and neighboring Imperial County. San Diego Supervisors will vote Dec. 5 on a wind ordinance that could open vast tracts of scenic areas and rural communities to skyscraper-sized wind turbines to harness renewable power. There are costs, however, to ther environment and risks to health and safety of residents, including heightened fire danger.
October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – There are numerous important initiatives on the November 6 ballot. Topics include education funding, clean energy, criminal penalties, taxes and labeling what’s in your food. For our nonpartisan analysis and arguments on both sides of each proposition, click the links below.
Raúl Alcalá presides over event to promote bike riding
October 17, 2012 (Ramona) -- Ramona CERT was among eight beneficiaries named in the inaugural 2012 awards made by the newly formed affiliate of The San Diego Foundation, The Ramona Community Foundation. The team was presented with a check for $4,000 during a reception at the Ramona Community Library on Saturday, October 6.
October 17, 2012 (Vallecito)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Vallecito County Park Water System located at 37349 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA, 92036 effective immediately.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Sheriff’s office announces several events to raise funds for Sheriff's Child Abuse Detective Ali Perez. Detective Perez was shot and wounded with Sergeant Craig Johnson while they were attempting to arrest a suspected child molester in Lakeside in September.
Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown
October 14, 2012 (Otay) - Over 25 vehicles and three homes were vandalized last night or this morning in the 1800 block of Magdalena Avenue and on side streets in Otay Ranch.
October 14, 2012 (Pala) – A coalition fighting to stop out-of-town investors from developing a garbage dump in Gregory Canyon near Pala will rally at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 20. Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Shasta Gaughen, EPA Director of the Pala Indians will be among the speakers and honored guests. The event will also feature traditional bird singing to protect Gregory Canyon as well as information on the fight to save the sacred mountain, which includes rock paintings and a medicine rock.
October 13, 2012 (Otay)—Incumbent Otay Water District board member Mark Robak faces three challengers for Seat 5: water manager David Charles, civil engineer Ronald Ripperger, and retired civil engineer Tim Stanton. East County Magazine sent a questionnaire to all of the candidates. Ripperger and Stanton did not respond. Replies from Charles and Robak are published below.
October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has made arrangements to offer children’s art classes for the first time. Nora Kearney-Johnson will offer four classes each Saturday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 10.
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