By Walter G. Meyer

December 4, 2012 (San Diego)--In what is hoped will be a model for future trainings and a revolution in architecture, Southwestern College recently conducted a class called “Smart Building Technician.” The name doesn’t begin to do justice to the depth of the material covered in the class, which was made possible through a grant to UnitedGREEN from SDG&E arranged by Heartland Coalition board member Chuck Brands.

Instructor Kimon Onuma (at left in green shirt) lines up the class participants (including course manager Chuck Brands fifth from left in white shirt) for a graduation photo.

December 4, 2012 (La Mesa) – More traffic enforcement and safer streets are coming to La Mesa in the coming year.  Increased special traffic enforcement measures are on tap as a result of a recent $55,000 grant awarded by the Office of Traffic Safety to the La Mesa Police Department. The La Mesa Police Department is dedicated to keeping our roadways safe through both enforcement and education.

December 4, 2012 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with American Honda Motor Co. of Torrance, announces a voluntary recall of about 150,600 portable generators because fuel hoses can leak, posing fire and burn hazards. The products were sold at numerous retail outlets nationwide and online.

Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

December 4, 2012 (Santee) - On November 1, 2012, the City of Santee started work to upgrade the City’s collision analysis software.  Funding for this program was provided by a $34,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The project will upgrade the City’s traffic collision analysis software to improve efficiency in collision data collection, analysis, and ultimately improve traffic safety. The grant will assist in efforts to deal with traffic safety problems and to reduce the number of persons killed and injured in traffic collisions. 

By Paula H. Dickenson, Crime Prevention, Alpine Sheriff’s Station

December 4, 2012 (Alpine) – The Sheriff's Deputies from Alpine and East County Rural, wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday season!  It is a privilege to serve and inspiring to be part of a community that has a genuine concern for one another and especially for those who are less fortunate.  We take this opportunity to count our blessings, especially those that we serve.

December 4, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The board of directors of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) announced last month that CEO Debra L. Reed has been elected chairman of the company.

Effective Dec. 1, Reed will succeed Donald E. Felsinger, 65, who retired at the end of November after a 40-year career with the company.  Reed was named Sempra Energy’s CEO in June of last year.

Chabad of East County To Light Up One of 10,000 Public Menorahs Worldwide, Symbolizing Universal Message of Religious Freedom

December 3, 2012 (La Mesa)--Chabad of East County will ignite a public 9-ft menorah erected at Grossmont Shopping Center, followed by a community-wide celebration on the second night of Chanukah, on Sunday, December 9 at 4 p.m.

The ceremony will feature Congresswoman Susan Davis and La Mesa Councilman Ernie Ewin. Prior to the menorah lighting ceremony, a ventriloquist will perform. Traditional holiday foods, music, dreidels and more will also be provided.

Dec. 2, 2012 (Alpine) – Lions, Tigers & Bears is celebrating the season with A Merry, Beary Christmas on Dec. 8 from 1-4 p.m. at 24402 Martin Way, Alpine.  There will be cocktails and an array of wine samplings, delicious cuisine from “Chubby’s” food truck and beautiful holiday gifts from over 20 vendors.

Suggested donations (made in advance) are for members $15 for adults, $10 for children under 12 and non-members $25 for adults and $15 for children.  The price will increase $20 at the gate.  Tickets can be purchased in advance here.

December 2, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Knox House Museum is open for tours December 8 and 15 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 280 N. Magnolia Ave., El Cajon.  The Museum is decorated for the holidays in the spare 1880’s Frontier style.

On December 7 from 5 – 8 p.m. the museum will be lit with candles and lanters for “Light Up the Knox”.  All tours are free.  For more information visit www.elcajonhistory.org.

December 2, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Cuyamaca College, known throughout the state for its longtime commitment to the green movement, is hosting its third annual Sustainability Symposium Thursday, Dec. 13, at the college’s performing arts theater.

This is the first year the 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. forum will be followed by a Green Vendor and Networking Fair from 1:30-3:30 p.m. In another first, the event doubles as a scholarship fundraiser for students pursuing careers in green or sustainable industries.

Fun includes horse-drawn wagon rides,  caroling and prize drawings for 

December 2, 2012 (La Mesa) – Grossmont Center in La Mesa invites the public to a free holiday festival on Saturday, December 8. Horse-drawn wagon rides will be available free from 1-3 p.m. Christmas caroling will be held from 1-4 p.m. at the mall’s Christmas tree.  Other fun activities include ornament decorating, kids crafts, min-fire truck rides, face painting, balloons, and refreshements.

Despite disturbing finding, Edison seeks to restart trouble-prone nuclear facility

Hearing Nov. 30 in Laguna Hills as nine cities voice concerns over safety issues

By Miriam Raftery

November 30, 2012 (San Diego)—Southern California Edison has notified the Nuclear Regulatory Commission of possible sabotage at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating facility, after finding coolant poured in the oil reservoir of an emergency backup generator at Unit 3, Energy News reports.

The FBI is taking over the investigation and criminal charges are possible, according to a plant employee who spoke under condition of anonymity, fearing reprisals, Huffington Post reported yesterday. The NRC has confirmed that Edison reported potential sabotage,Energy News reported.

"The FBI is aware of the alleged security incident that occurred at the San Onofre Nuclear Generating (SONGS) Station.  The FBI is presently reviewing the facts and circumstances concerning this incident," Special agent Darrell Foxworth with the FBI told ECM. "At this time there is no indication that this incident is terrorism related."

Previous news stories have speculated that a disgruntled employee could be the culprit due to recent layoff announcements.

Failure of emergency generators at Fukushima were key factors in that plant’s meltdown last year.  A meltdown at San Onofre would force evacuation of San Diego, portions of East County and also parts of Orange and Riverside counties and could potentially leave the region contaminated for generations.

By Patrick Osio

December 1, 2012 (San Diego)--The election of Bob Filner as Mayor of San Diego can have positive trans-border economic growth with his plan of San Diego’s opening an office in Tijuana for direct and timely communications with that city’s mayor, other city and state officials and business and community leaders. It's long overdue.

To be sure, the idea of closer cooperation between the cities of San Diego and Tijuana have been important with former San Diego mayors as most recently exemplified by Mayor Jerry Sanders who had a strong and amicable relationship with the former and present Tijuana mayors. Going back to Pete Wilson who worked closely with Tijuana city, state and federal agencies on the location of the Otay Mesa  Port of Entry, and Susan Golding establishing a direct telephone (Red Line) between her office and then Mayor of Tijuana, Hector Osuna Jaime, after the devastating El Niño storms that crippled Tijuana’s economy.

December 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--Heartland Fire & Rescue and Rady Children’s Hospital offer the following advice to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Burns: The typical burn injury seen during the holidays is a scald.  When adults enjoy hot liquids during colder weather, a small child may reach up for your cup and spill hot liquid, such as hot chocolate, coffee or soup. Spilling this scalding hot liquid onto their face, neck, hands and arms. Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burns according to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA).