To: Jeff Light, Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune; jeff.light@uniontrib.com

July 24, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- I applaud the UT for setting up a citizen’s editorial board.  In many ways you’ve achieved a diversity of views ethinically, racially, and politically. But there are some glaring omissions.

There is not a single voice representing East County, rural residents,  fire survivors, nor environmental protection interests in the backcountry. 

It’s particularly unbalanced to have SDG&E represented on the board, with no one to speak for rural East County folks negatively impacted by the company’s actions.

July 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Wildfires are on the increase. Yet most wildfires can be prevented.

If you go camping, Cal-Fire asks that you follow these safety steps:

July 22, 2011 (San Diego) – NBC headliner Danny Villalpando from Latino Laugh Festival will star in a comedy show presented by Brew Ha Ha on Sunday, July 24 at 7 p.m. in the Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. Comedians Chet Sewel, Diane Jean, and Chris Clobber will also perform.

“This is our newest venue and it seats 134 so we have lots of room for you to bring a large party!” says Diane Jean. “Let us know so we can save you a section.”

Fruitful wine industry restores farmers’ dreams in rural East County
 

Story by Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

July 22, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Friends and neighbors turned out to help plant 600 grapevine rootstocks from Napa Valley last weekend at the Vineyard Mansion in Spring Valley. Afterwards, guests savored a poolside tri-tip barbecue and sampled estate-bottled vintages in a stone-lined wine cellar. 

Their efforts are all part of a vision by East County vintners to establish a wine-making region along Highway 94—revitalizing the local economy with a new agricultural market to reward the fruits of their labors.

July 22, 2011 (San Diego)-- Eastbound State Route 94 will be closed at State Route 125 on Saturday morning, July 23 from 4 until 8:30 for guardrail repair, according to the California Department of Transportation.

Update:  Kathryn Kevern has been located and is safe, authorities confirm.

July 22, 2011 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Kathryn “Kate” Kevern, 53, who told a friend she was going for a walk at 7:30 p.m. last night and would return within the hour, but never came back to the home at 4792 Calle de Vida. She has short brown hair and wears prescription glasses. She was last seen wearing a white straw hat and a full length green sundress.

July 2, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The Erickson Air Crane, a heavy-left helicopter contracted by SDG&E for construction work on Sunrise Powerlink, was called early this afternoon to help battle the Eagle Fire. The massive chopper can carry up to 30,000 gallons of water or fire retardant chemicals.

The Eagle Fire has scorched 2,500 acres and remains just 5% contained as of 5 p.m. this evening. It is currently burning about 14 miles east of Santa Ysabel near Warner Springs on tribal lands as well as state park property.

By Judith Seid, president, Blue Summit Wealth Management

“Your guide to socially responsible investing”
 

July 22, 2011 (La Mesa)--According to Financial Planning, on Friday TNS released a new study which revealed that 87% of Americans with $500,000 or more in investable assets feel that the size of the US government's deficit is a major concern for them.

By Miriam Raftery
 

July 22, 2011 (San Diego) –Just how tough is it to balance the federal budget? While Congress wrestles with the issue on Capitol Hill, a roomful of ordinary citizens got the chance to find out on Tuesday, when Congresswoman Susan Davis’ office sponsored a workshop at San Diego State University to get constituents’ inputs on budgetary priorities.

I planned to go as a neutral observer. But since our table was short one participant, i found myself recruited for a lively and enlightening session. Creative minds proved adept at thinking outside the box—challenging conventional wisdoms, expanding the choices presented for cutting costs and raising revenues, plus citizens came up with some innovative ideas of their own.

Update July 22, 2011 5 p.m. - A fatality has been confirmed.  No further details are yet available.

July 22, 2011 (Pine Valley) 12:20 a.m. – More than an hour after a car plunged off an embankment, authorities on scene are still awaiting for a Life Flight helicopter to arrive. The accident is now being described as a possible fatality.

By Paula Dickenson, Crime Prevention Specialist
San Diego Sheriff, Alpine and Rural East County

July 21, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Your sanctuary is waiting for you. Arriving, your gut tells you something is wrong. As you pull up the driveway you notice that your cabin has been burglarized. Fear, anger, frustration are among the feelings as you begin to see the damage that has been done.
 

Along with your own common sense, cabin and cottage owners can significantly reduce the risk of the home being burglarized by making a few simple changes.

by Shannon Michael

July 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) has issued a press release blasting an energy spending bill that seeks to gut funding for clean energy, including biomass and solar programs. The bill would hit San Diego hard, since it has a large concentration of clean technology companies, Davis indicated. 

“San Diego has 767 clean technology companies and has become an innovation hub, especially in solar power, energy storage, and advanced biofuels,” said Davis. “If we’re going to remain competitive in the global economy, we must invest in clean energy innovation.” According to the San Diego Association of Governments, the algae energy section alone provides the region with 410 direct jobs and $108 million in economic activity each year.

July 21, 2011 (Washington D.C.) -- Washington D.C.—U.S. Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-El Cajon), a member of the House Armed Services Committee and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, said yesterday that he will oppose any debt ceiling proposal that arbitrarily cuts spending—in particular, a “Gang of Six” agreement. 

Hunter cited the military’s existing mission requirements, aging inventory and the cost of containing emerging threats and strengthening force projection.

July 21, 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.