PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: MORE BEAUTIFUL BIRDS

 

 

February 19, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Eric Kallen, who runs the website http://www.jacumbabirding.comhas sent us more beautiful bird photos from Jacumba Hot Springs, including a Hooded Oriole, Lark Bunting, and a Merlin.  Here are his notes on this enticing visitors to our region—including tips on how to attract the yellow-plumed orioles to your backyard.


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GUHSD TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM ON MARCH 1 SEEKING INPUT ON SELECTION OF NEXT SUPERINTENDENT

 

GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson to retire on July 1, 2016

Source:  Grossmont Union High School District

February 19, 2016 (El Cajon) – GUHSD Superintendent Ralf Swenson will retire on July 1, 2016. The Governing Board of the Grossmont Union High School District has selected Dr. William E. Diedrich and Dr. John L. Roach of Dave Long & Associates Executive Search Services, as its advisers to assist the Board in its search for a new superintendent.


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LA MESA TOWN HALL REVEALS COMMUNITY UNREST BREWING OVER BEER AND OUTDOOR MUSIC VENUE

 

By Leon Thompson

February 18, 20016 (La Mesa) -- The first La Mesa Town Hall event of 2016 exposed tensions brewing in the relationship between citizens of La Mesa and the City Council.  These open forum sessions aim to give citizens a forum to share “ideas, comments and opinions on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City,” according to the City’s website.


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ALPINE POWERLINK CONCERNS SPARK RESPONSES

 

New EMF readings at Alpine Elementary have lower levels; district offers reassurance to parents

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (Alpine) –  Alpine planners, school officials, and SDG&E have weighed in with responses to publication of meter readings that revealed high electric-magnetic frequency (EMF) levels along Alpine Boulevard, where Sunrise Powerlink high voltage lines are buried. The readings were first published in the Alpine Sun and later highlights, analysis and community reactions were published in East County Magazine and the Alpine Community Network.


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GROSSMONT HEALTHCARE DISTRICT SEEKS TO HONOR VOLUNTEERS WITH 2016 HEALTHCARE HERO AWARDS

 

 

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

 

February 17, 2016 (La Mesa) --The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is seeking nominees for its 2016 Healthcare Hero Awards. Now in its 10th year, the Healthcare Heroes is GHD’s annual awards program honoring volunteers who help advance the delivery of quality healthcare in the East County region. Nomination forms are available at www.grossmonthealthcare.org. Deadline for submission of entries is 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Entries can be mailed, faxed, emailed or personally delivered to the GHD offices, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. For more information, contact the GHD offices at info@grossmonthealthcare.org.


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A LITTLE KNOWN DISEASE FEW PEOPLE CAN PRONOUNCE

 

A community coming together to fight an invisible disease

Source: Lisa Drayton, Bloomin' Uterus

February 18, 2016 (San Diego) - On March 26, 2016, join the Bloomin’ Uterus™ Endometriosis Awareness and Support Walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. at Lake Miramar.  Registration is free, but donations are appreciated. All of the funds are donated to the Endometriosis Foundation of America.


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FREE YOGA CLASSES BEING OFFERED IN EAST COUNTY

 

By Liz Alper

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Healthways Silver Sneakers Yoga in East County is offering five free-of-charge yoga classes to anyone interested in participating.  


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PADRE DAM ACCEPTS EAST COUNTY ADVANCED WATER PURIFICATION STUDY

 

Padre Dam and Helix Water Districts to develop new source of drinking water that is safe, locally-controlled and drought-proof

East County News Service

February 18, 2016 (Santee) - Padre Dam Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors accepted the East County Advanced Water Purification Program study at its February 3 board meeting. Additionally, the Board authorized a contract for $3,497,500 with Kennedy/Jenks Consultants to provide as-needed engineering services for the program.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS FEBRUARY 19-MARCH 13

 

 

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a harpsichord and violin concert at Cuyamaca College by the San Diego Early Music Society, an author speaking on San Diego Legends, and an open artists’ studio tour in Borrego Springs.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a concert by country music stars the Gatlin Brothers, a moonlight hike in the Anza-Borrego desert, an all-night run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along Lake Cuyamaca’s shores, the La Mesa Chamber’s Mardi Gras and Salute to Local Heroes, plus a St. Patrick’s weekend run/walk in downtown El Cajon to benefit local charities.

So croll down for all of these events and more.

Audio: 

Destination East County 2-19-16

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JACOB CALLS FOR CPUC INVESTIGATION OF HIGH EMF LEVELS IN ALPINE ALONG POWERLINK ROUTE

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Supervisor Dianne Jacob, speaking against Powerlink at a 2010 rally

Update:  SDG&E, the Alpine Union High School District, and the Alpine Community Planning Group have responded to community concerns.  The County Board of Education has measured levels at the Alpine Elementary School and found them within EPA recommended levels. SDG&E has offered to meet with any concerned residents or business owners and take measurements. We have also provided additional a broader range of studies on possible health issue.  See our new article here with the latest details: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/alpine-powerlink-concerns-spark-responses 

February 17, 2016 (Alpine) – Today, Supervisor Dianne Jacob sent a letter to California Public Utilities Commission chairman Michael Picker requesting an immediate investigation and independent review of high electric magnetic field (EMF) levels in Alpine. Copies of Jacob’s letter were sent to Governor Jerry Brown, Attorney General Kamala Harris and all CPUC commissioners.


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HEARTBURN MEDICATIONS LINKED TO DEMENTIA

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, increased by 44 percent among older patients taking popular brands of heartburn medications.


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SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ASKS FOR HELP TO FIND LAKESIDE THEFT SUSPECT

 

Source: San Diego Couunty Sheriff's Department

February 17, 2016 (Lakeside) - Do you recognize the man in these photos? He is wanted in connection with a theft outside the Lake Jennings Apartments in Lakeside. 


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LA MESA RESIDENT JOINS REALTORS ASSOCIATION BOARD

 

East County News Service

February 17, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,000-member trade group for San Diego area realtors, has announced that La Mesa resident Jan Farley has joined its board of directors. Farley also is serving as the 2016 president of the San Diego chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

February 17, 2016 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's 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.

General news

Presidential primary

WORLD

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.


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EAST COUNTY ARTISTS RECEIVE HONORABLE MENTIONS AWARDS AT LENTEN ARTS SHOW

 

By Judy Edelblute

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) - Rancho Bernardo artist Vita Sorrentino won second place in the 53rd annual Lenten Art Show at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego. Lee Sie, Clairemont, won first place, and Tamara Stautland, Mission Hills, won third place.

East County artists receiving Honorable Mention awards were Ann Keyes and Ann Schwartzwald, La Mesa,  Anita Chateau, east Chula Vista and Abigail Kurtz Migala, Spring Valley. Other East County artists in the show include Mary Louise Neal-Bulow and Jody Abssy, Cherokee Point; Gloria Galbarith and Anita Chateau, east Chula Vista; Judy A. Sawyer, La Mesa; Susan Hewitt, Vance Komula and Sandra Seckington, Lakeside; and Gwen Small, Talmadge.


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PADRES SPRING TRAINING: PECOTA PREDICTS THE PADRES TO FINISH IN FOURTH WITH 77 WINS

 

By Liz Alper

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) - The moment that hungry baseball fans like you and I have been waiting for is finally here.


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COULD MICROCEPHALY IN BRAZIL BE CAUSED BY A CHEMICAL IN DRINKING WATER, NOT ZIKA VIRUS?

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) —  Zika virus has been the main culprit suspected in thousands of cases of babies in Brazil born with microcephaly, a condition that causes small skulls and under-developed brains.  But now a group of doctors and researchers in Argentina have published a report suggesting another possible cause: the chemical Pyriproxyfen, a larvicide made by a Monsanto subsidiary that has been applied to drinking water supplies in Brazil to control mosquitoes.


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SEE SMOKE? CONTROLLED BURN TODAY NEAR LAKE MORENA

 

East County Alert

February 17, 2016 (Lake Morena)--CAL FIRE and San Diego County Fire will be conducting a controlled burn today, Wednesday, February 17, 2016  near Lake Morena beginning at approximately 9:00 a.m.

Smoke may be visible throughout areas of the County. 


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‘ROMANCE OF THE PORTRAIT’ EXHIBIT CONTINUES THROUGHOUT FEBRUARY

 

East County News Service

Editor’s note: Inka Zamoyska has generously donated artwork recently to benefit East County Magazine.  Here is an opportunity for readers who love her amazing work to view an exhibition of her exquisite oil paintings. 

February 17, 2016 (Carlsbad) -- “This occasion truly felt like an ‘Affair of the Heart’. It seemed like a movie in progress sometimes with the excitement, exuberance of the attendees who were caught up in the ambiance and spirit of the evening. One of the highlights was when Inka was asked to speak to the group and describe her journey through art, her experience and particularly, her evolution toward portraiture painting. The rapt attention of everyone toward what she was expressing was immutable; everyone was entranced, caught up in the story, delighting in the fact that she was giving them some insight into this artful pursuit; a mystical moment.”


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS


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SHOT FIRED BY DEPUTY IN BOULEVARD DISTURBANCE

 

East County News Service

February 16, 2016 (Boulevard) – A Sheriff’s deputy fired a shot early this morning at a domestic violence suspect who reportedly charged out of a home in Boulevard, screaming a waving a shovel. The deputy’s shot missed and the suspect, 19-year-old Reid Wohlford, barricaded himself inside the home, but was later apprehended with help from a K-9 dog.


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MILAGRO FARM VINEYARD AND WINERY CLOSES TASTING ROOM FOR REMODELING

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2016 (Ramona) – The Milagro Farm Winery has announced that it is closing its tasting room to the public effective immediately while undergoing upgrades, with plans to reopen in the next couple of months.


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FEMA: MORE THAN 50,500 CALIFORNIANS PROTECT HOMES, PROPERTIES FROM INCREASED EL NINO FLOOD RISK

 

During historic 1998 El Niño season that created $550 million in damages, it was not until February that California experienced flooding damage that warranted a federal presidential declaration 

February 16, 2016 (Oakland Calif.,) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new data on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies, showing an increase of more than 27,000 new NFIP policies written in California during the month of December 2015. There is a 30 – 90 day waiting period for new policies to be reported to FEMA and the latest available data, released today, shows an increase of more than 55,500 new flood insurance policies purchased in California from August 31 – December 31, 2015.


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LA MESA OFFICE BUILDING “RETREAT” WINS ARCHITECTURAL AWARD

 

East County News Service

February 16, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The American Society of Landscape Architects, NY Upstate Chapter, recently awarded the Allison Avenue Office Building Retreat with a “Merit Award” in the Built Design category.  The project, located in La Mesa, California, transformed a bleak and uncomfortable asphalt side alley into an attractive outdoor client/employee space.


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MONTE VISTA HS TO MARK COMPLETION OF BUILDINGS WITH RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

 

By Liz Alper

February 16, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of buildings 700, 800 and 800A on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.


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PROHIBITION LIFTED ON CRAFT SPIRITS INDUSTRY SEEN AS THE START OF SAN DIEGO'S NEXT CRAFT BOOM

 

East County News Service

Assemblyman Jones to purchase first bottle from local distillery

February 16, 2016 (Santee) -- As of January 1st, new legislation (AB 1295) allows craft distilleries to sell individual bottles of craft spirits from tasting rooms. Prior to this law, the public could only sample distilled spirits at a tasting room but could not purchase bottles directly from a distiller.


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DROUGHT RELIEF MAY BE IN SIGHT FOR HELIX WATER USERS

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2016 (La Mesa) — On February 11th, the state adopted new regulations to reduce conservation mandates for water agencies that have taken steps to boost local water supplies .  Helix Water District is expected to get a credit for water bought from the new Carlsbad Desalinization plant, as well as due to high inland temperatures.  The district must apply for the break, but if approved, Helix could see its conservation mandate reduced to reducing water use by 12% instead of 20% through October 2016.

Helix customers have reduced water use 23% compared to 2013, far exceeding the Governor’s 20% required reduction for the district. If the restrictions on water use are eased, next up the board could consider easing or eliminating penalties on water users who exceed the limit—welcome relief for homeowners on larger lots struggling to keep large trees alive as hot weather arrives early.


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PIRATE’S COVE 24/12 RUN/WALK AT LAKE CUYAMACA MARCH 4-5

 

East County News Service

February 16, 2016 (Lake Cuyamaca) - Avast!  A run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along the shores of Lake Cuyamaca is set to begin on Friday, March 4th.  This unique event includes both a 12 hour and a 24 hour option, with the 24 hour portion kicking off at 8 a.m. and a 12-hour, all-night run/walk starting off at 8 p.m.  


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MLB ALL-STAR GAME TO BE HELD AT PETCO PARK

 
 
By Liz Alper
 
Photo credit to:  Nehrams2020 on Wikipedia
 
February 15, 2016 (San Diego) - The last time San Diego hosted the MLB All-Star Game, it was in 1992.  Qualcomm Stadium was still Jack Murphy Stadium and George H.W. Bush was president.

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HUNTER PUFFS TO SUPPORT VAPING ON PLANES

 

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee passed an amendment that would impose a federal ban on vaping or e-cigarettes on all airlines in the U.S..  Congressman Duncan Hunter, who took over $10,000 in tobacco industry campaign contributions this election cycle, opposed the amendment–even lighting up during the hearing and puffing a cloud of vapor to make his point.


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