June 20, 2013 (Santee) -- Assemblyman Jones (R-Santee) and East County Magazine announced today that they will host a photography contest that features photographs taken in San Diego’s East County. The winning photographs will be displayed in Assemblyman Brian Jones’ Capitol Office and featured in East County Magazine. 

“It’s an honor to be able to highlight the photographers and the beautiful landscapes Eastern San Diego County has to offer,” Jones said.  

Miriam Raftery, Editor of East County Magazine said, “East County Magazine appreciates this opportunity to showcase the works of talented local photographers.  East County Magazine looks forward to publishing works displaying our region’s beautiful scenery and our historic communities.”

All entries must be received by July 15, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. to be eligible. For details, scroll down.

June 20, 2013 (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 reflect 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.

• Supreme Court: For right to remain silent, a suspect must speak (Jewish World Review)
• Supreme Court rules that human genes cannot be patented (+video) (Christian Science Monitor)
• NSU admits listening to US phone conversations without warrants (CNET)
• ACLU sues to prevent dragnet collection of phone records (New York Times)
• New York lays out $20 billion to adapt to climate change (Reuters)
• How Regulators Enticed Verizon to Sell Out Customers to the NSA (Reason)
• Education crisis not limited to poor school districts (U-T San Diego)
• FEMA denies aid to Texas for blast (AP)
• Obama’s Supreme Court Losing Streak: 0-3 in Property Rights Cases (Reason)

WORLD

• Pentagon bracing for public dissent over climate change and energy shocks (Guardian)
• Japan formally OKs new nuke safety requirements (U-T San Diego)
• China puts up a green wall to US trash (Christian Science Monitor)
• Somali Islamist rebels launch deadly attack on U.N. compound (Reuters)

Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

Update June 20, 2013 4 p.m. -- The Sacramento Bee reports that due to mounting public pressure, the Governor will abandon efforts to weaken the Public Records Act.  The Bee also reports that Democrats plan to push for a state Constitutional amendment to assure public access to government documents and require local agencies to pay the costs, thwarting efforts by local governments that have sought reimbursement from the state for costs of complying with the decades-old law.

“The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.”

By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

June 20, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A budget now on the Governor’s desk would gut the California Public Records Act, eliminating your right to access  public records.  Donna Frye, president of Californians Aware (CalAware), warns, “This is where we are today, facing a Public Records Act wipe-out unless Governor Brown vetoes that portion of the budget trailer bills and restores all the provisions currently in place.”

CalAware, a watchdog group dedicated to protecting open government, urges  citizens to call the Governor today at (916)445-2841 and ask the following:

“You can’t have ‘green’ without social justice.” – filmmaker Robert Lundahl

June 20, 2013 (San Diego)--EMMY® Award winning filmmaker Robert Lundahl takes a hard look at U.S. energy policy and its effects on desert ecosystems, Native American tribes and communities across the West. The film has special relevance locally, where major energy projects in San Diego and Imperial Counties have sparked legal actions as tribal members seek to protect their heritage and sacred sites from destruction.

The filmmaker and Native American elders from California, Nevada & Arizona will be present at the premier of  “Who Are My People?”  The San Diego premier is a special presentation by Activist San Diego on Saturday evening, June 22, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at. Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont Street, San Diego, 92103. 

May 27, 2013 (Valley Center) – Lisa Hampton of Mindful Fitness will be leading a retreat on June 23 at Keys Creek Lavender Farm, 12460 Keys Creek Road, Valley Center from 1:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. A day of mindfulness will be followed with a jazz concert at 7:00 p.m. by Gregory Page as the sun sets and the full moon rises.

June 18, 2013 (El Cajon) – On Saturday, June 22nd from 9am-11am, the East County Family YMCA will host the grand opening of a new 4,000 square-foot, YMCA Gymnastics Center, where guests can sign-up for a special introductory 4-week session, tour the new facility, and meet the staff!

The new Gymnastics Center, located at 2471 Jamacha Rd. Ste. 102-104, El Cajon 92019 features a full array of gymnastics equipment and sufficient space and amenities to accommodate preschool and school age gymnastics training and practice. This off-site gymnastics facility replaces and expands the previous program, which was housed at the McGrath Family YMCA on Campo Road due to the strong demand for gymnastics and fitness classes. The gymnastics program held offsite will not only allow for more days and times for gymnastics classes, but will also provide more space for additional group exercise classes at the McGrath Family YMCA.

June 18, 2013 (San Diego)--Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) pushed for language to be included in education legislation to end discrimination against LGBT students.  As Republicans prepare a bill for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, Democrats on the House Education and the Workforce Committee are preparing their version.

In a letter to the Ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), Davis urged that the Student Non-Discrimination Act be added to the Democratic alternative bill.  The SNDA would put in place legal protections against discrimination of LGBT students. Davis is a cosponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 1652), which was introduced by Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO).

By Sholeh Sisson  and Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2013 (Campo)-- After passing winding roads and cow pastures in the most southern part of our County's backcountry, you will find Campo Creek Vineyards. Their winery won three bronze medals at last year’s San Diego County Fair in the amateur category.  Now the winery is bonded – and the Clark family hopes to next reap rewards in the professional category.

“This is a good climate up here for certain types of grapes – cabernet, merlot, and syrah …It takes a lot of work to do the nurturing,” said Mary Clark. Her family started planting vines here in 2003 and their winery now has more than 8,000 vines.

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2013 (La Mesa) – The public is invited to sample award-winning wines, savor food and live music at the grand opening of the San Pasqual Winery at 8140 Center Street in La Mesa.   The festivities will take place Saturday and Sunday, June 22 and 23 from 12-5 p.m.   Cost is $20 in advance or $25 at the door.

The decision to move its wine-making business from Pacific Beach to La Mesa was motivated by a need for more space and a desire to be close to San Pasqual Winery’s existing tasting room in downtown La Mesa.   The new facility will be triple the size of their existing winery, supplementing the existing tasting room with a second La Mesa location.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

June 17, 2013 (San Diego) – It’s summer time, and time for a vacation! Many of us may be ready for or planning a vacation for the summer months.  Here are some safety tips to help make your vacation safe and enjoyable says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Vacation safety actually begins while you are still at home and begins with planning for safety!

June 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The Grossmont-Mt. Helix Improvement Association (GMIA) will hold its Annual Meeting on Sunday, June 23rd at the Cuyamaca Water Conservation Garden, 5:30pm – 8:30pm.

Phil’s BBQ and locally crafted beer and wine will be served, followed by Supervisor Dianne Jacob speaking on community interests.  Complimentary docent Garden Tours will also be available at 4:30pm.  Reservations are required.  The dinner is $10 per GMIA member and non-members may attend for $20 per person.

Originally posted Saturday, June 15 at San Diego Loves Green

(Image left: courtesy East County Magazine)

By Roy L. Hales

June 18, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – I disagree with one of the statements County Supervisor Dave Roberts made in his recent editorial. I do not think the County Board of Supervisors is as powerless, in regard to the final decision about wind farms going onto the Federal and tribal lands in East County, as he seems to think. I suspect that, if they were willing, the Board could bring a lot of assistance to the East County residents fighting to preserve their quality of life.

By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, E - The Environmental Magazine

June 17, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: Could it really be true that we are in the midst of the worst drought in the United States since the 1930s? -- Deborah Lynn, Needham, MA

Indeed we are embroiled in what many consider the worst drought in the U.S. since the “Dust Bowl” days of the 1930s that rendered some 50 million acres of farmland barely usable. Back then, drought conditions combined with poor soil management practices to force some 2.5 million Americans away from the Great Plains, only wreaking further havoc on an already devastated Great Depression economy. The lack of native prairie grasses or cover crops to keep the soil in place meant large swaths of formerly productive agricultural land turned to dust and blew away in so-called “black rollers.”

While we have learned a lot about maintaining soil quality since, drought conditions today are nevertheless taking a heavy toll on agricultural productivity, fresh water supplies and the economy—especially as the effects of global warming start to kick in more seriously.

June 19, 2013 (Valley Center)--A five-month-old baby abducted in Valley Center by a domestic violence suspect was found safe hours after the abduction, the San Diego Sheriff reports. A countywide amber alert issued for suspect Kenneth Nusun Welch has been cancelled. The suspect in this case was taken into custody in Vista just before 10:00 a.m.

The incident started just before 2:00 a.m, when deputies in Valley Center responded to a domestic violence call on Poomacha Road. Deputies found an injured woman. She was taken to a hospital with life threatening injuries. Deputies also learned the woman's boyfriend, Kenneth Wayne Welch, snatched their five-month-old son and threatened to harm the baby.

June 21, 2013 (Campo)--Mary Clark and her son, Jimmie, 3, enjoy an idyllic moment in the summer sun amid wildflowers next to their family's vineyard.  Miriam Raftery captured the moment on a visit to the Campo Creek Winery earlier this month. The photograph illustrates the joy of rural living--a lifestyle treasured by many people in East County.