July 15, 2011 (El Cajon) –Artists’ demonstrations, live music, giveaways, food and drinks are all part of a Gallery Walk event set for Friday, July 15 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon.  The public is invited to participate in the free art walk to help support local artists at eight participating galleries. In addition, many downtown shops and restaurants are offering discounts for the evening.

July 14, 2011 (El Cajon)—A 75-year-old woman hit the gas pedal instead of the brake while turning into a parking space at the Villa Embasadora Inn, a motel at 1556 East Main Street in El Cajon, early this afternoon. 

Her vehicle sped forward, striking a housekeeper, 67, who was pinned against a wall.

43 COUNTIES IN CA HAVE VOTED TO OPPOSE SMART METERS --

AND 10 HAVE BANNED THE DEVICES

July 12, 2011 (La Mesa) – The Center for Electrosmog Prevention in La Mesa along with Californians for Renweable Energy, Inc. filed a protest July 6 with the California Public Utilities commission (CPUC) against San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E).

July 14, 2011 (Alpine) -- The Ladies Auxiliary of VFW Post #9578 is having their Annual Luau Party on July 23 starting at 1:00 p.m. Envision yourself in the tropics with Hawiian style food, music, and a live auction Tickets are $12.00/advance sale, and $15.00 at the door. 

July 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and our region, published in other media. Latest Roundup headlines include:

• County may enact tiered ordinance for small horse operations (Santee Patch)
• El Cajon reaches agreement with police (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Quiet council settles with Firefighters (La Mesa Today)
• Schools’ financial watchdog stripped of powers (Voice of San Diego)
• Legislators to introduce Caylee’s Law in wake of murder case (Sacramento)
• Local openly gay troops begin reenlisting (10 News)
• Fact check: Bill Horn’s bogus civil rights story (Voice of San Diego)
• Bid filed to end collective bargaining for state employees (Sacramento Bee)
• A Sweetwater resource, but there’s some salt in the mix (Groksurf San Diego)
• UC cashing in with out of state tuitions (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Powerlink plagued by eagle issues, tower drops (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• A sculpture garden grows in the desert (San Diego Union-Tribune)

July 13, 2011 (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 reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. 

July 8, 2011 (La Mesa)--Dive into fun at the La Mesa Municipal Pool’s “Dive-in Movie” featuring “Toy Story 3” on Friday, July 15. Family and friends can enjoy viewing an outdoor movie from a spot on the pool deck or while floating in the heated pool.

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal-Fire is combating 100-acre fire in the remote “Tin Can” area in Mexico, east of the Otay port of entry and just south of the border fence.

“We currently have 3 engines, 2 air tankers, 1 air attack and 1 helicopter,” Cal-Fire Captain Mike Mohler said. “Aircraft and crews are pre-treating areas along the fence.”

By Miriam Raftery

July 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – As controversy burns around the new fire parcel fee signed into law by Governor Brown, many area residents have asked which communities and what types of structures are subject to the fees. East County Magazine spoke with Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant in Sacramento. We have answers--and a detailed map.

 By Billie Jo Jannen

July 13, 2011 (Campo)--I can vividly describe every one of the four fires that has burned through my property over the past 25 years. Notably, every one was started by someone who doesn’t live here. Causes include burning objects thrown from passing cars and trains, illegal fireworks by drunk Navy men, and border smugglers intent on their own agendas.

Also notable is that my family’s home survived every fire because of our personal efforts -- both costly and time-consuming -- to plan and execute our own defenses. Not a single fire department, including CalFire, has ever managed to arrive at my house before the fires did; the distances are simply too great and the fires too unpredictable.

 Proposal that could halt Alpine high school construction will also be heard by board

July 11, 2011 (El Cajon) – The Boundary Committee for the Grossmont Union High School District has adopted recommendations for shifting high school boundaries throughout the distirct.  The recommendations will be presented Thursday, to the GUHSD Boardat 6 p.m. in the East County Regional Education Center, 924 East Main Street in El Cajon.

Lines will be changing across East County. For example, on Mt. Helix many students now in the Grossmont High School district are proposed to shift to Monte Vista, a school with a far poorer academic record, to ease overcrowding at Grossmont. In Blossom Valley, proposed new lines would similarly shift some students to a poorer performing school, in Lakeside sparking protests from parents.

July 12, 2011 (Sacramento) – The stakes are high.

SB 40, the Gambling Control Act introduced by Senator Lou Correa of Orange County, seeks to legalize intrastate Internet poker while cracking down on illegal online poker operations. Supporters say the bill would created a new source of revenues and jobs in California to ease budget deficits and high unemployment. But opponents contend it would undermine Indian tribal gaming operations and hurt tribal economic development.