September 11, 2012 (La Mesa) -- The Environmental Sustainability Commission invites students to enter the “Our Planet, Our Home” Environmental Literacy & Art Contest.

In this Centennial year, the students (our future!) are challenged with a theme: Big changes start with small steps, and every great development starts with a vision or dream. What solutions or inventions can you dream up to shape the kind of world you want to pass on to the youth of the next century?

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Lily Schorm, a teacher, learned some lessons while attending El Cajon City Council meetings. Now she’s among seven candidates running for three Council seats in November.

“It’s illegal to have chickens in El Cajon,” says Schworm, in an exclusive interview with ECM.  She has been working to persuade the City Council to legalize chicken ownership.  During that process, she saw Council  approve expenditures that she considered wasteful.

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

September 11, 2012 -- Dear EarthTalk: Which are the most eco-friendly and non-toxic (to people, cats and sanitation systems) cat litters? ­                                                                       -- Sam Barnes, Macon, GA

It makes sense that environmentally enlightened cat owners would want cat litter made from natural products that will not potentially compromise their health or that of their beloved pets. Many mass market cat litters contain significant amounts of silica dust which has been linked to upper respiratory issues in cats and even humans. Likewise, the chemical fragrances in many cat litters can also be toxic to cats.

September 11, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- San Diego County Sheriff's Department informed East County Magazine that a shooting occurred in the process of a CHP traffic stop in Spring Valley east of Route 125. Several law enforcement agencies have reported to Jamacha Boulevard and Sacramento Avenue. Traffic is closed on the surrounding streets.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – A new website, www.turbinesonfire.org, has been launched to raise public awareness about the dangers posed by wind turbines that explode into flames or are struck by lightning.

According to co-founder  Sherri Langue with the North American Platform Against Wind, the site “acts as a red flag…to alert folks about this already looming and horrific, unregulated problem. Imagine the impact with thousands more turbines in North America.”

By Nadin Abbott

September 8, 2012 (San Diego)—There was tension in the air as the two legal teams got ready to present their case before District Judge William Q. Hayes.

Community Advocates for Renewable Energy Stewardship (CARES) lawyer, William Pate, observed, “This case is not about energy policies or government programs, it’s about the rule of law.” Pate argued that the government has to be ruled by laws, and that “it is no more complicated than that.” He also argued that government agencies, in this case the Bureau of Land Management, are run by people and that people make mistakes.

AB 2212 gives law enforcement new tool; AB 2126 streamlines campus administration

September 10, 2012 (San Diego) -- Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) today announced that Gov. Jerry Brown signed his measure to give law enforcement a new tool to shut down human trafficking, AB 2212, and another bill, AB 2126, which helps the California State University (CSU) system streamline its regulation process.

September 10, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Cuyamaca and Grossmont colleges are holding public remembrances of the Sept.11, 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people and triggered the global war on terror.

The Associated Students  of Cuyamaca College is sponsoring an on-campus display of 2,977 flags, with volunteers from the college, student leaders from Steele Canyon and Monte Vista high schools, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), area police and fire departments and the U.S. Armed Forces setting up the display in the grand lawn starting at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, the day before a community remembrance ceremony set for 12:30 p.m. at the college at 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in Rancho San Diego.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Assemblymember Marty Block is sponsoring a small business seminar, “Success in the New Economy”, with State Controller John Chiang, on September 12 at San Diego State University, Parma Payne Goodall Alumni Center, 5500 Campanile Dr., San Diego.  The event will be from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with registration opening at 8:30 a.m.

September 9, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber is hosting a lunch with Congressman Duncan D. Hunter on September 25 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., Alpine.  Tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased at www.alpinechamber.com/membership/payments.html.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Parks and Rec has created a camping PSA to be shown in movie theaters and on cable television.  Next time you settle into your seat and juggle your popcorn and your soda, keep your eyes on the giant, silver screen.  Along with reminders to turn off your cell phone, you’ll see a reminder of another sort - how to enjoy the outdoors at our County parks.

Risk to public is low; be aware of signs and symptoms.

September 9, 2012 (San Diego) – Anyone who may have eaten at a College Avenue McDonalds on August 25, 26, 27 and 30 is being advised by the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) that they may have been exposed to the Hepatitis A virus.

September 8, 2012 (San Diego) – The BLM expects to finalize its plan to fast –track solar projects as early as this month while ignoring written protests filed by several environmental groups (as previously reported by ECM http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/10908).  The projects affect more than a quarter-million acres across six Southwestern states, including California.

September 8, 2012 (San Diego) – Nile Sisters is hosting its Annual Brunch and Auction on September 22 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 7715 Draper Avenue in La Jolla.  A sumptuous catered buffet brunch will be served.

September 8, 2012 (Lemon Grove)—A meet-and-greet with Lemon Grove City Council candidate Lou Melendez wll be held on Sunday, September 16 from 2-4:30 pm.

A 15-year resident of Lemon Grove, Melendez has worked as an engineer with CalTrans for 21 years with experience in infrastructure issues. He says he is committed to community development, local history and youth.