The Time Bandit Solution: Structured Time & Workflow, by Edward G. Brown (Cohen Brown Picture Company, 2014, Los Angeles, California, 249 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 5, 2017 (San Diego) - Edward G. Brown, philanthropist, entrepreneur and noted Hollywood mover and shaker, has written a book that resonates with me for a variety of reasons; The Time Bandit Solution: Structured Time & Workflow. I actually suffer from some of the same Time Bandit issues that he points out in his book. Coming on the heels of my review of his wife Shari Sharifi Brown’s book; The 7 Commandments for Happiness and Prosperity, this author’s book is more than a book about business solutions, but actually gives a portrait of his life and legacy. This is really a capsule of the author’s entire life, weaving his personal experiences into a well thought out book on how to recover your lost time.

East County News Service

December 6, 2017 (El Cajon) - The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Foundation will host a holiday brunch and toy drive on Saturday, December 9^th from 9 a.m. to noon at Hacienda Casa Blanca, located at 700 North Johnson Avenue in El Cajon.

Source: City of El Cajon

November 27, 2017 (El Cajon) -- On November 29, Mercedes-Benz will hold a Grand Opening and begin welcoming customers to its brand new state-of-the-art dealership in El Cajon. The new dealership, located on a five-acre site at the corner of Marshall Avenue and Wagner Drive, will replace Mercedes-Benz’ existing location on El Cajon Boulevard.

Measure aims to help workers balance needs of work, family and school

East County News Service

November 5, 2017 (San Diego) -- State Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) announced this week that she will author legislation in 2018 to prevent erratic scheduling practices that have become common in part-time workplaces.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Greg Maness, founder of the Trail Blazer awards, receives a surprise award of his own, presented by his wife, P.J.

October 27, 2017 (El Cajon) — At this year’s Toast of East County held at the Elks Club Lodge in El Cajon, the 2017 Trail Blazer Awards were presented to three pioneers in the local wine industry:  Ric Bonnoront of Red Wagon Vineyards in Jamul, Tim Peterson of Rock Canyon Winery in Alpine, Micole Moore of Ramona Ranch Winery, and Greg Maness of Casi Cielo Winery in Jamul. 

By Mary England, La Mesa Chamber

October 8, 2017 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber believes that being a good community leader includes assisting those in need. Each year we assist La Mesa homebound seniors and this year we shall assist 24 wonderful seniors - 20 women and 4 men. We collect items to make their holidays bright and meaningful.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

October 6, 2017 (San Diego) - Four hours per day, seven days a week, Sheriff's Dispatchers answer emergency calls from all across San Diego County. They save lives by getting help out to those calling 9-1-1.

East County News Service

Photo:  (from left to right):  Marla Black, Junior Achievement of San Diego County; Wendy McKinney, American Red Cross of San Diego and Imperial Counties; Martha King, King Schools; Van Tran, Sharp Grossmont Hospital; Michelle Bergquist, Connected Women of Influence; Kristine Costa, Waste Management, Inc.; Barbara Ryan, Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego; Bonnie Rush, Breast Imaging Specialists.

September 26, 2017 (La Mesa) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce recently honored eight women with 2017 Women in Leadership Luncheon (WILL) awards. Now in its 15th year, the annual WILL event honors women for their outstanding leadership, exemplary character and integrity in the community, as well as their efforts to empower women to succeed and prosper in life and business, Chamber officials said. The awards event was held Friday, Sept. 22 at the Town and Country Resort Hotel in Mission Valley

East County News Service

September 20, 2017 (La Mesa) – State Senator Joel Anderson will be the featured speaker at the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting on Wednesday, September 27 from 7:30 to 9 a.m. at Marie Callendar’s, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego.

Source:  Ramona Valley Vineyard Association

Photo:  winemaker Micole Moore and co-owner Teri Kerns in the vineyard with ponies Thelma and Louise.

September 14, 2017 (Ramona) — Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery is the first in San Diego County to be designated Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing (CERTIFIED SUSTAINABLE) as a result of meeting a comprehensive set of standards for “environmental stewardship, conservation of natural resources and socially equitable business practices” set by the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA).

By Chris Jennewein

Originally posted at Times of San Diego, a San Diego Online News Association member

September 10, 2017 (San Diego) -- The union representing 10,000 San Diego County employees announced Saturday it has reached agreement on a new contract that will avert a potential strike.

“We now have an agreement that helps to close the wage gap for critical public servants like nurses and social workers which is an essential step in alleviating chronic staff turnover and significant short staffing of services to vulnerable residents of San Diego,” said David Garcias, president of the Service Employees International Union local 221.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: SEIU via Facebook

August 30, 2017 (San Diego) – Last night, Service Employees International Union Local 221 workers voted to hold a strike on September 12 and 13 over what the union contends are unfair labor practices. The union represents over 10,000 county employees in San Diego and Imperial Counties including public workers in county and city governments as well as school districts. Those workers include public health nurses, social services employees, librarians, clerical staff and more. 

By Kendra Sitton

Photo, left and inside photo:  Henderson and Voepel speak after the breakfast

August 9, 2017 (Alpine) -- “Frank asked me to not get political and keep it positive. I'm going to fail him miserably,” said state Assembly member Randy Voepel. He addressed the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce at their monthly Hot Topics Breakfast at the request of Frank Sturnold, the interim executive of the Chamber while a restructuring is underway.

By Terri Steele

July 17, 2017 (San Diego) -- There’s a ray of hope on the horizon for 16 to 24-year-olds looking for jobs, an education and a better future.  It springs from a $1.3 million U.S. Department of Labor grant recently awarded to the not-for-profit Heartland Coalition. 

The hope is with a program called YouthBuild.  And it’s working with East County community partners like Rock Church, Foothills, the County of San Diego and City of El Cajon to help them identify disaffected youth who are eager to get back to work and need an education.

East County News Service

June 29, 2017 (El Cajon) – John “Mac” McLaughlin, president and CEO of the USS Midway Museum and a retired Navy Rear Admiral, will be the keynote speaker at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Luncheon. The event takes place on August 17 from 12 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon.