October 17, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Nearly 50 industrial-scale renewable energy projects are planned in San Diego’s East County and neighboring Imperial County.  San Diego Supervisors will vote Dec. 5 on a wind ordinance that could open vast tracts of scenic areas and rural communities to skyscraper-sized wind turbines to harness renewable power. There are costs, however, to ther environment and risks to health and safety of residents, including heightened fire danger.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, ECM editor Miriam Raftery will be the guest speaker at the East County Democratic Club, making a presentation on impacts these big energy projects pose for on our region.  The meeting is open to the public and will be held at the Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon. Program starts at 7 p.m., if you wish to purchase dinner, arrive at 6 p.m. 

If you would like a presentation on wind energy issues to your organization, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org to arrange for a speaker or a Powerpoint presentation that you may use.

Raúl Alcalá presides over event to promote bike riding

By Dennis Moore

Photos by Eric Regan

October 17, 2012 (Tijuana)--An estimated 3,000 cyclists took to Tijuana streets Tuesday evening “Pedaling Toward Greatness,” as part of Tijuana Innovadora.

The  20-kilometer ride capped a day at the conference focused on the medical industry.

October 17, 2012 (Vallecito)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Vallecito County Park Water System located at 37349 Great Southern Overland, Julian, CA, 92036 effective immediately.

The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli.

Friday, Oct. 19 is Debut of East County's New Halloween Attraction; scary movies also to be shown

October 14, 2012 (Rancho San Diego)  - The Halloween Spirit has taken over Cottonwood Golf Club. A 10,000 square foot maze is being constructed with hay bales on Cottonwood's driving range. It's been labled "Scary Maze" and it opens to the public on Friday, Oct. 19 at 6 p.m.

October 14, 2012 (Pala) – A coalition fighting to stop out-of-town investors from developing a garbage dump in Gregory Canyon near Pala will rally at the Pala Rey Youth Camp on Saturday, October 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on October 20. Robert Smith, Chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians and Shasta Gaughen, EPA Director of the Pala Indians will be among the speakers and honored guests. The event will also feature traditional bird singing to protect Gregory Canyon as well as information on the fight to save the sacred mountain, which includes rock paintings and a medicine rock.

October 16, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation has made arrangements to offer children’s art classes for the first time. Nora Kearney-Johnson will offer four classes each Saturday, Oct. 20 through Saturday, Nov. 10.

“We have been working on offering children’s art classes for over a year and Nora has the perfect program for us,” said Jay Wilson, executive director at Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation.  For more information and to sign up, visit: http://www.mtrp.org/news.asp?idno=250652

By Janis Mork

October 11, 2012 (Spring Valley)- Retiree Randy Dibb wants to run for the San Miguel fire board because he has “concern for the district” and wants to bring “changes.” His values include satisfying the needs of the constituents coupled with the dramatic changes in the way the district does business, and putting together a viable budget within the current concerns of the district.

October 14, 2012 (La Mesa)--La Mesa is serious about eradicating graffiti thanks to an organized program and dedicated volunteers, the city’s Focus publication reports.  La Mesa participates in the countywide Graffiti Tracker program, where all graffiti is photographed and logged by area and “tag.” 

The goal is to remove all graffiti within 72 hours, though often graffiti is eliminated within 24 hours.  

Trustee defends stances on Alpine High and bond monies amid reported Grand Jury probe

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

October 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)- Elected to the Grossmont Union High School District Board in 2008, Gary Woods, Ed.D., is a professor of psychology at Southern California Seminary who says he has been an advocate of modernizing high school campuses and bringing technology into classrooms, although he opposed bond measures that provided that funding and is staunchly against new taxes.

Other priorities include "risk students and graduation success, best practices in secondary education, business internships, character development and charter school reform."

By MIriam Raftery

October 16, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Over 50 industrial-scale "renewable" energy projects may soon change forever the face of our region in San Diego's East County and neighboring Imperial County. 

Many are on formerly protected federal lands.  Nationally, 370 million acres of public lands are targeted for big renewable energy projects -- twice the size of Texas!

ECM editor Miriam Raftery has prepared a Powerpoint presentation for organizations that wish to educate their members about the impacts of these projects--and the alternatives. To view our Powerpoint presentation, click here. 

Update January 28, 2013:  Our original presentation raised questions on wind speeds in Ocotillo. Following the project's completion, six weeks of videos document the lack of wind.  An ECM investigation found this is not unusual; many projects around the world have failed to live up to wind speed claims and some countries are now revoking subsidies.  Yet surprisingly, the Bureau of Land Management says it does not require energy companies to provide proof of energy production levels after projects are built. This revelation further casts doubt on the wisdom of destroying public lands with public monies.

By Miriam Raftery

An ECM  Special Report

October 13, 2012 (El Cajon)—The San Diego Grand Jury has launched an investigation into possible misuse of bond funds by the Grossmont Union High School District’s board majority, muliple sources have confirmed to East County Magazine.  

“We’re in a Grand Jury investigation about Alpine,” GUHSD board trustee Priscilla Schreiber told ECM. Schreiber said she learned of the probe “by accident” while in the District’s office.  Schreiber has been a vocal critic of the Board majority (Trustees Gary Woods, Jim Kelly, and Robert Shields) for blocking construction of a high school for Alpine while allowing diversion of school bond funds for costly new projects not mandated in two bond measures, Prop H and Prop U. Both measures were approved by voters and specifically called for a new high school in Alpine.

October 15, 2012 (San Diego)--African Restaurant Week, which starts on Friday, October 19th and ends on Sunday, October 28th is an event being hosted by a variety of African restaurants to showcase and promote African businesses and culture in San Diego.  Just like San Diego Restaurant Week, participating businesses from throughout the City of San Diego will create a special prix fixe menu featuring special appetizers, main courses and desserts.

October 17, 2012 (Lakeside) -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land announced Sally Nelson as the 2012 Cox Conserves Hero (click to see video).  Sponsored locally by Think Blue San Diego and radio partners KYXY 96.5 and Energy 103.7 FM, Cox Conserves Heroes honors volunteers who are creating preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces. 

Nelson was nominated by Lakeside's River Park Conservancy because of her commitment to the local environment, education and community awareness. Nelson has been volunteering for over 10 years. She has been active in every event  the River Park has had, from the first purchase of land to the trail opening.

October 15, 2012 (El Cajon) – Make plans to build a better future today! In partnership with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, the Grossmont Union High School District is hosting its ninth annual Got Plans? Career & College Fair for high school students and parents on Saturday, October 20, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Grossmont College.