August 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) -- Dear EarthTalk: What ever happened to the idea of turning Mt. St. Helens into a national park?
-- Esther Monaghan, Boston, MA
Mt. St. Helens, one of the less prominent yet massive peaks of Washington State’s Cascade Range, made history on May 18, 1980 by erupting with the force of 500 atomic bombs, devastating 230 square miles of formerly verdant forest and killing 57 people.
August 9, 2012 (San Diego)--Heatstroke is a life-threatening emergency that can cause brain damage, organ failure and ultimately death in pets as well as humans. Recognizing signs of heat stroke can save your dog’s life. Emergency treatment is critical. Also, simply hosing the animal down is very important. By lowering the body temperature before transporting the dog to a vet, you can increase its chance for survival by as much as 30% says Dawn Danielson, RVT, director of Animal Services for San Diego County.
August 9, 2012 (Otay)--A California Energy Commission siting committee is recommending the approval of the proposed Pio Pico Energy Center. In the presiding member's proposed decision (PMPD) released today, the committee said the 300-megawatt (MW) project, as mitigated, will have no significant impacts on the environment and complies with all applicable laws, ordinances, regulations, and standards (LORS).
August 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has called a ‘Reduce Your Use’ event day today due to hotter-than-average temperatures.
While SDG&E has adequate electricity resources to meet the demand, customers can help reduce strain on the electric grid by reducing their electricity use today between 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. By doing so, they will be eligible to earn a bill credit of $0.75 per kilowatt hour saved.
August 8, 2012 (San Diego County) -- With temperatures expected this week to reach the mid 90s throughout the region, County health officials are warning the public to take precautions to avoid heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses.
“Even short periods of exposure to high temperatures can cause serious health problems,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County Public Health Officer. “Doing too much on a hot day, spending too much time in the sun, or staying too long in an overheated place can cause heat-related illnesses, including heat stroke, exhaustion and cramps.”
August 8, 2012 (La Mesa) – Michael Murphy, MD, JD, Chief Medical Officer, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, has been appointed to the Board of Examiners for the 2012 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Dr. Murphy’s appointment was made by Patrick Gallagher, Ph.D., Director of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Company ties, history of fires and failures, raises troubling questions
By Miriam Raftery
August 6, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – After researching problems with Gamesa wind turbines and blades, ECM asked Iberdrola PR representative Michelle Sinning whether Iberdrola plans to use Gamesa products at the Tule Wind site in McCain Valley.
“I haven’theard anything about Gamesa,” Sinning said.She indicated she would obtain a statement and get back to us by tonight's deadline (she didn't), but added that Iberdrola will not make a decision on which suppliers to use until after contracts are signedin order to have flexibility to take advantage of the best “pricing and innovations” on the market.
By Sam DiGiovanna, East County Magazine In House Fire Chief
August 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--As spring and summer time calls people and snakes alike to the outdoors, encounters with snakes become inevitable. California has a variety of snakes, most of which are benign. The exception is California’s only native venomous snake - the rattlesnake.
DRA Says SDG&E’s cost of capital request is out of line with today’s market and unfair to customers
August 7, 2012 (San Francisco) – The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), the independent consumer advocate within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), on Monday presented evidence in the CPUC’s proceeding on Cost of Capital. DRA found that San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) request for an 11.0% Return on Equity far exceeds both the company’s revenue needs and market standards.
DRA recommends that the appropriate Return on Equity (“ROE,” or the revenue that shareholders can expect to earn on their investment) should be 8.5%, which would result in a $50 million annual savings to SDG&E’s customers. [See Cost of Capital Comparison Chart]
Supervisors' hearing 9 am Wed., 1600 Pacific Coast Highway downtown
By Miriam Raftery, Editor
August 7, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Please join me today in taking action to preserve the character of our communities, the beauty of our region, and the safety of people across San Diego County who may be imperiled by another horrific wildfire.
August 5, 2012 (Alpine) – The topic for the September 11 Alpine Chamber of Commerce Hot Topic Breakfast will be Anit-Bullying/Cyber Bullying. The guest speakers are Jihan Yacoub,Deputy District Attorney and Jesse Navarro, S.D. County D.A. Office. The breakfast will be at Wells Fargo Bank from 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
August 7, 2012 (Alpine) – The Viejas Outlet Center has plenty of summer activities to entertain one and all at 5000 Willows Road, Alpine. Activities include everything from mini golf to free movies in the Show Court. Following is a schedule of events:
August 7, 2012 (Ramona) – Hacienda de las Rosas Winery is hosting its annual Grape Stomp on September 3 at its ranch and winery in Ramona. This year’s proceeds will be given to Wounded Warrior Homes, Inc, a local organization that will provide transitional housing to single service members who are being medically discharged with Traumatic Brain Injury.
The event is private and open only to members of the Winery’s Club. Join the Club by August 10 and you will be able to attend the event. Festivities will include a live band, huge buffet, wine tasting and grape stomping.
August 7, 2012 (San Diego) – Run Women Run, along with 20 Partner Organizations, is presenting a screening of the documentary “Miss Representation” on August 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Irwin M. Jacobs Hall, 5775 Morehouse Dr., San Diego to commemorate Women’s Equality Day. The documentary, by Jennifer Siebel Newsome, explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence.
July 29, 2012 (Campo) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum is celebrating the 100 th birthday of Southern Pacific Co. Steam Locomotive & Tender #2353 that was built in 1912 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia that was featured in the movie “Pearl Harbor”. The event is August 11 at the Museum, State Route 94 and Forrest Gate Road, Campo, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and birthday cake will be available.
August 7, 2012 (San Diego's East County) - The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the south central portions of San Diego including but not limited to Pine Valley, Descanso and Morena Village.
In addition, a flash flood watch is in effect for East County's mountains and high desert areas. Hundreds of low water crossings are potentially dangerous in heavy rains, the NWS warns; do not attempt to drive through flooded roads as even a few inches of swiftly moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
August 6, 2012 (La Mesa)—A 12-year-old boy shot his sister in the shoulder in what police believe is an accidental shooting La Mesa Police responded to a 911 call from the boy at 9:44 a.m. today at the family’s home in the 8800 block of Jefferson Avenue in La Mesa.
August 6, 2012 (El Cajon)—On August 11, the El Cajon Animal Center for Education and Services (ACES Foundation) and KGB Radio 101.5 invite you to the Rueben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park for a fund raising showing of the multimedia rock show, “Rock the Dome.” The show is a 360 degree swirl of state-of-the -art visuals and imagery shown on the legendary Reuben H. Fleet Science Center’s 76-foot IMAX dome accompanied by top rock music from Pink Floyd, Van Halen, Led Zeppeliln, AC/DC, Emerson, Lake and Palmer, Rush and many more, all synchronized to $2 million worth of cool graphics, futuristic visuals, and mind-blowing imagery. This isn't your Mom’s and Dad’s laserium show!
Independent survey of likely November voters shows Filner leads by 8 points
August 6, 2012 (San Diego)--A poll of San Diego voters shows Bob Filner with a significant 8-point lead in the race for San Diego Mayor.
In a survey of 400 likely November voters in the City of San Diego, 40 percent of respondents said they support or lean toward Filner in the Mayor’s race. Thirty-two percent of respondents said they support San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio and 29 percent were undecided.
July 28, 2012 (Lawson Valley) –Residents of Lawson Valley in outer Jamul now have a website for local news, thanks to editor Leslie Yoder, who drew inspiration from Deerhorn Valley Antler editor Kim Hamilton.
August 6, 2012 (La Mesa)--Bugsy’s Brew Coffee opens in La Mesa. Family owned and operated, Bugsy’s Brew offers customers a comfortable place to relax and enjoy fantastic coffee and desserts. Bugsy’s Brew Coffee is located at 8759 La Mesa Blvd at the corner of Jackson, so it is a perfect spot to hit before heading to work in the morning or for a pick-me-up in the afternoon.
August 6, 2012 (Santee)--A mountain lion has been reported in the 10700 block of Princess Arlene, a residential neighborhood in Santee. Incident Page Network indicates that San Diego Sheriff and animal control officers are conducting a search of the area.
A mountain lion was also spotted days ago in an Alpine residential neighborhood. Mountain lions are native to our region, though the normally shy animals are rarely seen. Shooting a mountain lion is illegal in California, except in cases where a permit is obtained such as to address livestock predation. Violators have faced stiff penalties.
August 8, 2012 (San Diego) – On August 14, book publicist Ilene Proctor will present the 52nd “Great Minds Series” event in Santa Monica.
August 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has called a ‘Reduce Your Use’ event day today due to hotter-than-average temperatures.
Cool Zones Open Throughout Region
August 8, 2012 (La Mesa) – Michael Murphy, MD, JD, Chief Medical Officer, Sharp Grossmont Hospital, has been appointed to the Board of Examiners for the 2012 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Dr. Murphy’s appointment was made by Patrick Gallagher, Ph.D., Director of the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
By Greg Dunne
By Sam DiGiovanna, East County Magazine In House Fire Chief
August 7, 2012 (San Francisco) – The Division of Ratepayer Advocates (DRA), the independent consumer advocate within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), on Monday presented evidence in the CPUC’s proceeding on Cost of Capital. DRA found that San Diego Gas & Electric Company’s (SDG&E) request for an 11.0% Return on Equity far exceeds both the company’s revenue needs and market standards.
Contact all supervisors through the links below
August 5, 2012 (Alpine) – The topic for the September 11 Alpine Chamber of Commerce Hot Topic Breakfast will be Anit-Bullying/Cyber Bullying. The guest speakers are Jihan Yacoub,Deputy District Attorney and Jesse Navarro, S.D. County D.A. Office. The breakfast will be at Wells Fargo Bank from 7:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
August 7, 2012 (Alpine) – The Viejas Outlet Center has plenty of summer activities to entertain one and all at 5000 Willows Road, Alpine. Activities include everything from mini golf to free movies in the Show Court. Following is a schedule of events:
August 7, 2012 (Ramona) – Hacienda de las Rosas Winery is hosting its annual Grape Stomp on September 3 at its ranch and winery in Ramona. This year’s proceeds will be given to Wounded Warrior Homes, Inc, a local organization that will provide transitional housing to single service members who are being medically discharged with Traumatic Brain Injury.
August 7, 2012 (San Diego) – Run Women Run, along with 20 Partner Organizations, is presenting a screening of the documentary “Miss Representation” on August 26 at 2:30 p.m. at Irwin M. Jacobs Hall, 5775 Morehouse Dr., San Diego to commemorate Women’s Equality Day. The documentary, by Jennifer Siebel Newsome, explores how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence.
July 29, 2012 (Campo) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum is celebrating the 100 th birthday of Southern Pacific Co. Steam Locomotive & Tender #2353 that was built in 1912 by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Philadelphia that was featured in the movie “Pearl Harbor”. The event is August 11 at the Museum, State Route 94 and Forrest Gate Road, Campo, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free hamburgers, hotdogs, drinks and birthday cake will be available.
August 6, 2012 (La Mesa)—A 12-year-old boy shot his sister in the shoulder in what police believe is an accidental shooting La Mesa Police responded to a 911 call from the boy at 9:44 a.m. today at the family’s home in the 8800 block of Jefferson Avenue in La Mesa.
Aging facilities, technology needs behind new facilities bond proposal
Independent survey of likely November voters shows Filner leads by 8 points
Meeting August 7 in Deerhorn Valley on fire mitigation funds
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