By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2013 (Ramona) – Ramona is planning a "humdinger" of a celebration.  On May 4 and 5, the Ramona Bluegrass and Old West Fest will culminate nine days of musical celebration in Ramona at the Ramona Rodeo grounds.  This year, in addition to live music, the festivities will also include a focus on Old West history including an encampment with mountain men, cowboys and Civil War era characters. Visitors can enjoy music workshops, fireside storytelling, dancing, and break-out jam sessions.

Some bands and musicians will lead music workshops ranging from fiddle and mandolin to musical harmony. Kids of all ages are encouraged to bring their instruments and play along in this unique learning experience.

Musical entertainers include:

May 2, 2013 (El Cajon) -- Jerry Lee Hickethier, 32, is charged with assault with a deadly weapon against a police officer following a dramatic police pursuit in which he intentionally struck two police cars.

The chase began at Naranca Avenue and Oro Street at 5:46 p.m., when a veteran sergeant with El Cajon Police department saw Hickethier run a red light. When the officer tried to stop the vehicle, the driver failed to yield to the lights and siren.  According to police, ie stopped suddenly, thrust the vehicle into reverse and intentionally rammed the police vehicle, causing moderate damage.

May 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- Susan Conniry, a director of the Lakeside Fire District, is the speaker at the May 16 meeting of the East County Democratic Club.  She will address issues related to her work on the board, including fire prevention. The club meets at 7 p.m. at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway, El Cajon.

Conniry and her husband, Tom Beasley, are Cedar Fire survivors because they were prepared for the worst. Well-versed in matters of fire prevention, the couple have trained hundreds of San Diego County residents through a disaster preparedness program entitled, “Ready or Not.” Training has beendone in partnership with local fire departments, fire safe councils, and CERT groups. In 2006,  the couple authored a handbook, Ready or Not – A Disaster Survival Handbook. 

By Nadin Abbott

April 26, 2013 (Alpine)—A meeting of the Alpine Planning Group this week grew heated as Lou Russo, a long time member of the group, raised conflict of interest complaints stemming from the San Diego Powerlink against fellow members. Russo also sought to have two subcommittee members removed over failing a fire inspection at their propertly.

Mike Milligan stated that he would “tender my resignation” if the attacks continue over Powerlink, adding, “It’s stupidity beyond belief.” 

He added, “It is totally unprofessional and Mr Russo should tender his resignation.”

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The First Amendment Coalition has issued advice to public officials in light of a court ruling that found private e-mails used by San Jose city officials to discuss public business must be disclosed if a Public Records Act request is received.   The ruling is on appeal and is expected to be upheld, according to legal experts, which would set a statewide precedent.

“Public officials beware: The appeal courts’ affirmance is likely to apply to all government emails, not just to emails written after the courts’ decision," the First Amendment Coalition warns. "That means the emails you write today, using a private account to discuss government business, will have to be disclosed in the future.”

The ruling poses as quandary for some local governing boards, such as the Alpine Community Planning Group, which relies entirely on private e-mail addresses for communications.

By Nadin Abbott (excerpt from Nadin Abbott's blog)

May 1, 2013 (San Diego)– Hundreds of Union Members and supporters came out today to the streets of San Diego to march for both labor right and immigrant rights. Pedro Rios of the Friends Committee (from El Cajon) said that “May Day is a day we are reclaiming for our community.” 

Marches started in 2006 “when there were macro demonstrations around the country,” including San Diego. At the national level, this is about Immigrant Rights, which are connected to labor rights. May Day also celebrates the events of the Haymarket on May 1st, 1886 when a bomb went off at the Haymarket in Chicago, killing police officers and strikers alike.

By Miriam Raftery

May 1, 2013 (Ramona) – Responding to long lines at airports across the nation, Congress passed legislation on April 26 to restore funding for air traffic controllers at many major airports. But wording that would have saved the air traffic control tower at Ramona Airport was removed, ECM has learned.

“While I welcome the news that Congress moved to prevent harmful cuts in the FAA budget, I’m extremely disappointed that wording aimed at saving the Ramona Airport tower and other towers was stripped from the legislation,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob.

May 2, 2013 (Lake Moreno) -- History comes alive for the next two weeks at a pre-1840 North American fur trade encampment in East County. It's all part of the 20th annual Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous. 

May 1, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- ECM 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.

• Boston police: 3 more in custody for Boston bombing (10 News)
• Colorado court rules marijuana smokers may be fired (Christian Science Monitor)
• Bombing suspects' mom also in terror database (U-T San Diego)
• Tamerlan Tsarnaev Spoke Of Jihad With Mother, Reports Say (NPR)
• U.S. gives big, secret push to internet surveillance (CNet)
• Lawmakers, aides may get Obamacare exemption (Politico)
• As Injuries Rise, More Calls to Refuse The 'Cinnamon Challenge' (NPR)
• The FAA Strikes Again, the FAA Brags (Wall Street Journal)
• Congress Acts On Flight Delays, What's Next? (NPR)
• Court: State can block out of state use of FOIA

WORLD

• EU bans pesticides over bee fears (Reuters)
• Canada thwarts "al Qaeda-supported" passenger train plot (Reuters)
• Russia detains 140 suspected Islamic extremists (U-T San Diego)
• Once-touted corruption cases collapse in Mexico (U-T San Diego)
• Iraq: 51 dead in clashes, bombing as tensions rise (U-T San Diego)
• Defecting Syrian officer 'told to use WMD' (Jerusalem Post)
• Taliban vow suicide and "insider" attacks in new spring offensive (Reuters)
• Japan court rejects demand to evacuate children (U-T San Diego)
• Israel shoots down drone from Lebanon: Israeli military (Reuters)
• 14 killed in clashes in 3 western Mexico towns (U-T San Diego)
• More Than 50 Dead So Far in Run Up to Pakistani Elections (Reason)

May 1, 2013  (Spring Valley) – Under the direction and choreography of mother-daughter team Michelle Mullen and Chelsea Mullen, a Steele Canyon High School senior, and Beatriz Corral, musical director, Young Actors’ Theatre is pleased to announce the upcoming The Little Mermaid, a beloved and family-friendly tale. The Little Mermaid will run for eight performances in the intimate setting of the ENCORE! Theater located in Spring Valley.

The tale tells the story of a magical kingdom fathoms below, where the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she'll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. The Little Mermaid is based on the Hans Christian Andersen Story and the Disney Film produced by Howard Ashman & John Musker and written & directed by John Musker and Ron Clements.

By Miriam Raftery

April 30, 2013 (Sacramento) – The Assembly Natural Resources Committee in Sacramento yesterday voted 5 to 3 to temporarily halt fracking until further health assessments can be done. Three moratorium bills passed, including AB 1301 to stop fracking unless it can be proven safe.

Two similar bills, AB 1323  and AB 649  call for creating an advisory committee to review health, environmental, economic and other effects. They would recommend regulatory changes. Those bills would require state officials to decide by January 2019 if fracking should occur in California.

Media outlets reported today that the International Olympic Committee rules may prohibit a joint bid by the U.S. and Mexico to host the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in San Diego and Tijuana.

In response Mayor Bob Filner released the following statement. “We are undaunted by this statement from the International Olympic Committee. We don’t have all the answers right now."

April 30, 2013 (Santee) – Summit Fellowship Concert Series will present the Bayou Brothers in Concert with special guests from the UK, Mama Tokus and Andy Williamson. On Friday, May 3 at 7 p.m.  Tickets cost $15.00.  Start with a blend of accordion, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and rub board, add three-part harmonies, mix it up with a lot of rockin' Zydeco, blues and R&B and you get the rousing, rollicking, heart thumpin', foot stompin' Bayou Brothers.

By Janis Mork

April 29, 2013 (Santee)- Recently, a Coffee Corner benefit was held for Dylan Pourner, a kindergarten boy with brain cancer, in Santee. Organizers and students who helped out wore bracelets that said, “We Love Dylan…The greatest of these is love,” and “We Love Dylan” t-shirt.  A concert was also held. Now, local schools are pitching in to help raise funds to help Dylan and his family.

ECM interviewed Gina Milton, one of the organizers. She told us that Dylan has a glioma, a non-operable mass. “He lost control of his hands and he can’t stand. The tumor is on the brain stem. It keeps growing and putting pressure on his brain.” But there is hope; he started a new treatment a few weeks ago and is expected to be getting it for eight weeks.

April 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – ACES Foundation El Cajon Animal Shelter will be auctioning Barkitecture Animal Houses to raise money for the ACES Foundation. The event will be May 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at O’s American Bistro, #75 Parkway Plaza, El Cajon. 

Tickets are $25 and include an auction number, appetizers, and wine or beer.  Tickets can be purchased online at www.acesfoundation.org or at the door.