July 25, 2014 (Santee)--Santee’s City Council has voted to approve $2,000 as its fair share to assist the San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless.

The vote was 3-1, over the objection of Santee Mayor Randy Voepel. Councilman John Ryan was not present.

Former Campo artist now creating film on cofounder of Rancho La Puerta

By Mimi Pollack

On July 24^th, 2014, my good friend Vivian Blackstone will celebrate her 86th birthday. A woman in excellent health, she has lived an unconventional life with an artistic, bohemian and spiritual bent. That artistic side still continues as she is working on a film about Edmond Szekely [aka the professor], who along with Deborah Szekely, created and developed the world famous spa and resort in Tecate, Mexico, called Rancho La Puerta. This film is important to Vivian as the professor was an influential person in her life and she hopes this film will honor him and the influence he had on her.

By Mimi Pollack

July 24, 2014 (Tecate)--Many of us lead hectic, stressful lives, so it is always healthy to find ways to unwind. Spending a week at a spa is one good way to relax and recharge, but not everyone can afford that or has the time. Here in San Diego, we are lucky to have a world class spa and retreat, Rancho La Puerta, just across the border from East County. Founded in Tecate, Mexico in 1940 by Edmond and Deborah Szekely, Rancho La Puerta has built a solid reputation and a loyal following over the years.

East County News Service

July 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)- A hazardous weather warning remains in effect through tonight across our region, with high temperatures expected to continue through this weekend, cooling slightly.

Thunderstorms are also moving across the region.

By Janis Russell

Photo: Applicant Bill Adams states his case for 7-Eleven

July 23, 2014 (El Cajon)- At Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, Council had two public hearings on the appeal of planning commission’s decision denying request for beer and wine sales at 1021 West Washington Avenue and 500 North Second Street.  The stores sought permission to sell alcohol for off-site consumption. 

Council confirmed the planning commission’s decision and voted unanimously to deny the requests as well.

July 23, 2014 (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.

• Charge your phone, or you can't fly with it (APM Marketplace)
• USA Court ruling creates new uncertainty for Obamacare (Reuters)
• Candidate pool for Congress is missing moderates, study finds (CS Monitor)
• Inmate’s execution takes over two hours (USA Today)
• Lapses at high-security CDC labs reveal culture of negligence (CS Monitor)
• Florida airport staff get lesson in nation's geography

WORLD

• Malaysian Airlines flight 17 was shot down for money (Huffington Post)
• Great Wall of Japan? Locals balk at tsunami-protection plan. (CS Monitor)
• 2 Ukranian fighter jets shot down over rebel-held territory (Reuters)
• Israelis express anger over U.S. flight ban to Tel Aviv (Washington Post)
• Seized nuclear material in Iraq 'low grade': U.N. agency
• Anti-Israel protesters besiege Paris synagogue (JTA.org)

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

By Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2014 (Jacumba) – Several registered sex offenders have been released recently in East County, with promises from authorities that electronic monitoring would protect people in the community.  But on Monday, a sex offender being monitored by authorities broke into a 70-year-old woman’s home in Jacumba and molested her, the Sheriff’s office has announced.

By Walter G. Meyer

July 22, 2014 (San Diego)--Don’t let the word “opera” in the title make you think this is your grandmother’s type of opera. Borrowing less from Verdi and Wagner than Out and Seventeen, this show is a powerful look at the very real problems of today’s teens. “Bare: a pop opera” is set in a Catholic boarding school and features some kids who have problems. Although most of the show is sung—there is very little dialog—including parts of Romeo and Juliet, the show moves quickly and is easy to follow.

July 21, 2014 (El Cajon) – Latin heartthrob Lorenzo Antonio will perform at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theater on Saturday, July 26^th at 8 p.m.

July 22, 2014 (San Diego)--The impacts of violence in Gaza are being felt here in San Diego.  Over 700 people turned out on Sunday at a rally in a San Diego park to raise donations for humanitarian relief in Israel. The rally was organized by the Jewish Federation of San Diego County.

Hear our  radio special report on the Save Iraq Christians rally, plus our interview with East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce president Ben Kalasho on the worsening crisis in Iraq:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

By Miriam Raftery

July 21, 2014 (El Cajon) –They carried an American flag, proud to be in a country where they are free. But their hearts ache for loved one endangered in their homeland: Iraq.  They are Iraqi-American Christians who rallied Friday in El Cajon's Promenade Park, pleading for political leaders to save Iraqi Christians from massacre by terrorists invaders who have declared an Islamic state, or caliph.

Farouk Georges shared the latest chilling news. Just one day earlier, he revealed, sources inside Iraq told him that the terrorist group ISIS “issued a decree against the Christians of Nineva…They are asking them to leave, or to convert to Islam, or be killed.”   

A million and a half Christians in Iraq have been displaced, said Ben Kalasho, president of the Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce and organizer of the rally. “We’ve counted 120 churches that have been bombarded and destroyed.” Thousands of Iraqi Christians have been killed, hundreds have been kidnapped and as of a few days ago, he revealed, “ISIS has spray-painted the letter N on Christian homes, letting everyone know where the Christians live.”  The N is for Nasrani, an Arabic word meaning Christian.

(caution: graphic photos)

By Donn Rutkoff

"Man About Wine"

July 19, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Hello to all wine lovers in the East County and all wine lovers anywhere who are reading East County Magazine.  This is my first column and we hope there will be many more.  I will be bringing you news of what is happening here in the county, news of interest to the local growers and fermenters, and some educational "fluff" to help you enjoy wines.

Here is a preview of this week's wine-worthy topics.  (Hit "read more" and scroll down for the full stories.) 

• Sparkling wines in an hour?
• Warm-weather red grapes
• New tasting rooms - thanks to rezoning underway
• Wine columnist shares his roots

July 21, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Where There's Dyslexia, There Could Be Child Abuse JWR)
• Vitamin Overload: Kids Are Eating Too Much Fortified Food (JWR)
• Can MRIs Diagnose ADHD?  (Jewish World Review)
• Combining vaccines may help eradicate polio (Reuters)

SCIENCE

• 
  
  Note to bees: do not stop and smell the roses (Marketplace.org)
• Floating nuclear plants: Is the future of nuclear offshore? (CS Monitor)
•  

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

July 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The next musical performance at Mission Trails Regional Park will feature vocalist and recording artist Lillian Palmer on August 3 from 3 to 4 p.m.  Palmer performed in nightclubs and cabarets in Italy before returning home to Southern California.

July 20, 2014 (Ramona) -- This year's Ramona Country Fair will be held on Thursday, July 31st through Sunday, August 3rd. The Ramona Chamber of Commerce's 44th Annual Ramona Country Fair features the Ramona Junior Fair & Livestock Auction, two stages of music and entertainment, amusement rides,  craft and business vendors,  and food court. Entertainment includes a battle of the bands, music by headlining musical groups, the annual Ramona Idol competition, a singer/songwriter showcase, and much more.