October 8, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – ECM sent questions to all candidates running for Helix Water District Board. 

In the race for seat three, there are two candidates: incumbent Chuck Muse and challenger Lori Kern-Greenberg. Kern-Greenberg responded to all questions in detail on topics ranging from water rates to transparency. (Scroll down for her replies.)

Muse refused to answer any questions, instead sending a brief reply: “All information you requested can be found on my web site.” (Editor’s note: In fact, only some of the topics are addressed on his website, which can be viewed at www.chuckmuse.org.)  

October 8, 2012 (East County, San Diego) -- It only takes seconds for a fire to grow out of control, making escape from a fire impossible. That's why CAL FIRE is urging people to, "Have 2 Ways Out" of their home. In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Prepare and practice your fire escape plan regularly with everyone in your household, including children and people with disabilities.

October 7, 2012 (San Diego) –Good news!  www.SDWriteWay.org webzine is now back on line — Sam Warren, editor

Scroll down for literary events in October and early November countywide.

$1.1 to $1.7 billion in local federal defense and non-defense spending at risk in 2013; solutions to grow alternate San Diego economic sectors explored.

October 6, 2012 (San Diego)— A whopping $1.2 trillion in impending federal budget cuts  would have a grave impact on jobs, the economy and schools in the San Diego region.  The impacts of those cuts—and what can be done to survive any resulting damage—were subjects of a hearing by the Assembly Select Committee on San Diego Trade, Tourism and Job Creation chaired by Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78). Block presided over the session, and said the impact of the federal sequestration without change amounts to “a perfect storm” that would produce devastating job losses.

By Jamie Reno

Exclusive for the Reno Dispatch

October 8, 2012 (San Diego) – Last week, Randy Hamud, the attorney, author and civil rights activist who represented several of the friends of the three 9/11 hijackers who lived in San Diego, wrote an op-ed piece for the U-T San Diego newspaper in which he addressed whether the now-infamous 14-minute video ridiculing the Muslim Prophet Muhammad was an exercise of free speech, or an incitement to violence that should not be granted First Amendment protection.

http://therenodispatch.blogspot.com/2012/10/only-in-america-civil-debate...

October 8, 2012 (La Mesa)—Last night at 9:06 p.m., La Mesa Police responded to a report that a man had pushed a woman in the 4200 block of Lowell Avenue.  During the investigation, it was determined that the male had an active felony warrant for his arrest for failing to register as a sex offender and was still inside the residence.

Officers spoke to the suspect, Michael Wilson, through the locked screen door for several minutes, but he refused to come out.  According to police, Wilson, 46, made verbal threats to the officers that he had a weapon and would not come out without a fight.

By Miriam Raftery

October 8, 2012 (La Mesa)--Russell “Gordon” Gastil, Ph.D. has made his final journey.  The San Diego State University professor emeritus known for trekking across and mapping the entire state of Baja, Mexico as well as much of the U.S. southwest died September 29, 2012 at his La Mesa home. 

“He was gifted as a geologic visionary,”  geologic science professor wrote in a memorial published at the SDSU website.  “Gastil was an internationally renowned geologist for regional geologic mapping and work on the tedtonic evolution of convergent margins." He mapped thousands of square kilometers in Arizona, Calfiornia and the entire state of Baja, California in Mexico.

Gastil hired six undergraduate students in 1963 to produce a reconnaissance geologic map of Baja. Remarkably, the feat was accomplished in an era when there were no reliable topographic maps and virtually no paved roads, making access challenging.

Call for Submissions Answered by Hundreds, Exhibit Brings Exposure to Local Talent

October 8, 2012 (San Diego)--The San Diego Public Library is calling on San Diego county authors who have published books in 2012 to submit them to the 47th Annual Local Authors Exhibit.  The aim of the Exhibit is to nurture writers, foster the pursuit of the writing arts and to create a great opportunity for the recognition of San Diego literary talents. The deadline for registering and submitting books is Monday, December 10, 2012. Authors may register online at www.sandiegolibrary.org.

October 8, 2012 (Poway)—The Poway Chamber of Commerce and the Green Valley Civic Association will sponsor a Candidates Forum on Wednesday, October 24, 2012. The forum will be held at Painted Rock Elementary School in the Multi-Purpose Room, located at 16711 Martincoit Road Poway, CA 92064.

By Mark Gabrish Conlan

October 6, 2012 (San Diego)—The first general election Presidential debate between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney concluded on October 3, entering into history. It had become one of those events that seemed important because everybody — or at least all the political pundits — were saying it would be important. In an election in which the recent polls had shown Obama gaining slight but significant leads in many of the so-called “swing states,” the nine or so across the country where the balance between Democrats and Republicans is so delicate the election could go either way, the debates have been hailed as Romney’s last chance to turn things around.

"Alpine could be the first of a district-wide peel off! This GUHSD Governing Board needs a wake-up call." -- Bill Weaver

By Bill Weaver, GUHSD Governor Board candidate and parent

The current Grossmont Union High School District (GUHSD) Board majority, which includes up for re-election incumbent Dr. Gary Woods, has shot themselves in the foot with recent bad policy decisions. They claim declining enrollment, and loss of Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funds as the justifying basis.

The GUHSD Board has passed a resolution to not move ahead with the 12th High School, until California State ADA funding returns to the higher 2007/08 levels. This has the Alpine Union School District, and the Alpine High School Citizens Committee, currently mounting an effort to pull out of the GUHSD.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Spark Photography / Provided by KPBS

October 6, 2012 (San Diego) – Broadcast journalist Gloria Penner, a pioneer in local broadcasting and a leading voice at KPBS radio/TV station on the San Diego State University campus for more than half a century, died today of pancreatic cancer. She was 81. 

Her death comes just days before the Women’s History Museum was slated to hold a special tribute to Penner at an October 13 “Broads in Broadcasting” celebration of women who broke through the barriers in the broadcast world.

October 6, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Considered to be one of the largest community events in the East County, the annual El Cajon Safety & Career Expo is being held Saturday, October 13th, at 100 E. Lexington Avenue from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

After a special noon welcome ceremony, the El Cajon Police Department will have a special Police K-9 demonstration.  San Diego Gas & Electric and Mission Federal Credit Union are our title sponsors, both dedicated to education in the community.  Stop by their booths for valuable safety information and get a fire badge sticker and red fire helmet for the children.

October 6, 2012 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Safety and Career Expo will take place October 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 6, 100 East Lexington Ave., El Cajon.  This year’s event will honor the city’s centennial.  Heartland Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Rick Sitta will host the noon welcome ceremony that includes a tribute to responders and a tribute to the City of El Cajon’s Centennial.

October 6, 2012 (San Diego) – The Scripps Ranch Fire Safe Council will host its 6th annual “Play to Protect” Charity Golf Tournament on October 20 at The Vineyard Golf Course, 925 San Pasqual Rd., Escondido.  The event begins at 1 p.m. and features a fun day of golf and a selection of auction items and raffle prizes.