September 6, 2011 (Rancho Penasquitos) San Diego Police Department Sex Crimes detectives are investigating a sexual assault on two teen girls at knifepoint in a Rancho Penasquitos park on Saturday night, September 3. The suspects, both Hispanic men, remain at large.

September 6, 2011 (San Diego) – On Saturday, September 24, many museums across America will offer free admission. It’s all part of the Smithsonian Institute’s annual “Museum Day.”

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2011 (San Diego) -- California’s Supreme Court has declined to review an appeals court decision that upheld the Project Stabilization Agreement (PSA) entered into by the San Diego Unified School District in 2009.

September 5, 2011 (Mt. Helix) – Heart’s Horizon, a painting created on site by local artist Chuck McPherson during the HeART of Mt. Helix event last weekend, brought a welcome $2,350 during a live auction to benefit the Mt. Helix Foundation.

The 18 x 24 watercolor took McPherson two and a half hours to complete, delighting onlookers in the crowd as well as the winning bidder.

September 5, 2011 (San Diego) -- Looking for some appropriate music to liven up your Labor Day picnic, party, or rally?  

The Nation magazine has compiled a list of the "top 10" Labor Songs of all time, including audio and video clips of each, sung by original artists:  http://www.thenation.com/blog/163148/top-ten-labor-day-songs. Number one? Solidarity Forever, sung by Pete Seeger.

The Mountain Empire Kiwanis Club will hold a community yard sale on Saturday, September 10 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event will be held at the intersection of Highway 94 and Buckman Springs Road in Cameron Corners.

Space rentals are available to community members, such as the Mountain Empire Historical Society, which will be raising funds for the Stone Store Museum.

September 4, 2011 (San Diego) – From classical chamber music to jazz pianos, a free concert series offered by San Diego State University’s School of Music and Dance has appeal to a wide range of music lovers. The concerts are free and open to the public, as well as to students, faculty and staff.

For three years, the Alpine Community Planning Group (ACPG) had a SRPL Ad Hoc Subcommittee...No one is quite sure what it did, since it never had agendas or minutes.

By Lou Russo

September 4, 2011 (San Diego County) -- It’s that time of year again when moms, dads and school kids are looking to stock up on school and office supplies at a bargain price. Shoppers should be alert when paying for these bargains to make sure they are actually getting the lowest advertised prices.

By Miriam Raftery

“Ten years ago, our nation’s infrastructure was ranked 6th globally. Today, it’s 23rd. We invest half as much in our infrastructure as we did 50 years ago, with more than one and a half the number of people.” – President Barack Obama

September 4, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – President Barack Obama issued a Labor Day weekend address urging the Republican-controlled House of Representatives to renew the transportation bill which is set to expire at the end of this month.   The issue affects thousands of American workers, as well as millions of Americans who drive on our nation’s roads and bridges. 

Bill in Sacramento may save park from closure; public help sought

By Megan McGlamery

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

September 4, 2011 (San Diego)--Since their inception in 1864, Califonia’s state parks have served to enlighten citizens about nature, history and culture. Unfortunately, severe budget cuts have led to imminent closure of many of these beloved landmarks.

Located eight miles east of Escondido, the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park is just one of many amazing pieces of living history slated to close forever next July, when 70 California state parks will be shut down.

September 4, 2011 (Alpine) --Last year's Monarch Mania event drew thousands of visitors, eager to witness the release of hundreds of magnificent Monarch butterflies, and take part in other Festival activities, along with shopping for unique arts and crafts from event vendors. 

by George J. Janczyn

Reprinted with permission from GrokSurf's San Diego

Update: Helix directors have voted to suspend the El Monte Valley Recharge project. 

September 4, 2011 (Lakeside)--This Wednesday, September 7, the Helix Water District Board of Directors will consider a staff recommendation to suspend the El Monte Valley Project.

The project is a groundwater recharge and recovery operation that would generate 5,000 acre feet of water per year using an advanced recycled water purification process known to water professionals as Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR).