April 18, 2011 (San Diego) – The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber is brewing up a big event – presenting America’s Finest Beer Festival. The festival will feature more than 120 California breweries as well as live music and food. The festival is on tap for July 22-24 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego.

Planners seek ouster of wind farm's project manager 

A column written for East County Magazine

By Billie Jo Jannen

April 16, 2011 (Boulevard)--The manager of Enel Green Power Jewel Valley made the claim that the Boulevard Planning Group scares her--and that she’s not going back without law enforcement protection.

Update 2:30 p.m.:  SDG&E reports power is out to under 100 homes in this area.

April 17, 2011 (Jamul) – A vehicle that struck a power pole and caught fire has resulted in shut-down of Highway 94 in both directions at Honey Springs Road in Jamul. According to the CHP, there are live wires down across the roadway and SDG&E is en route, as of 1:47 p.m.

April 17, 2011 (El Cajon) – Following a manhunt during the night for a man who abducted his 9-year-old son at gunpoint from a couple babysitting the child at 1800 East Lexington, El Cajon Police arrested Anthony Cortez, 28 early this morning. Cortez returned the child unharmed to the mother and police took him into custody at her home.

Supervisors Honor 20 Volunteer-of-the-Year Recipients at Annual Event

April 16, 2011 (San Diego)—San Diego County Supervisors commended the extraordinary service contributions of 20 residents who were selected as Volunteers of the Year for their work with various departments. The volunteers, who have collectively donated a total of 4,834 hours, were honored at the County’s annual Volunteer Recognition event held prior to the Board of Supervisors meeting this week.

April 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- California Department of Fish and Game (DFG) wants to remind people not to handle young wild animals. The improper handling of young wildlife is a problem in California and across the nation, most commonly in the spring, when many species are caring for their offspring.

a column written for the East County Magazine

“Your guide to financial planning & socially responsible investing”

By Judith L. Seid, CFP ®
President, Blue Summit Wealth Management

April 16, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--The market has not reacted much to the budget agreement that finally came late Friday night. This void of impact is due largely to the fact that the “budget fight is not over” but also because several other factors threaten to have an even greater impact on the overall market. We’ll brief you on them in chronological order…

April 16, 2011 (San Diego) -- In times of intense personal crisis and community-wide disasters, Sheriff's Department dispatchers are always ready to respond to the call for help. They work under stressful conditions, yet must think clearly and send help to people in need of emergency services.

In honor of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, the County Board of Supervisors recognized these unsung heroes with a proclamation commending Sheriff’s Department dispatchers for outstanding service, leadership and commitment to keeping our communities safe.

April 15, 2011 (El Cajon ) – Main Street 5 Gallery will host an art and jewelry show Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. to showcase works by artisans Chuck McPherson and Jeff Fulkerson.

“McPherson’s paintings swim in rich color and vibrant brushstrokes, complimented by Fulkerson’s jewelry that will make any night on the town a unique experience,” said Esther Beish, owner of the gallery.

April 15, 2011 (Valley Center)--Heartbeat Classics Chevy Club hosts its 13th annual classic car show, the Heartbeat Happening XIII, on April 17 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Bates Nut Farm, 15954 Woods Valley Road in Valley Center. Activities include a craft fair with over 50 vendors, Lion's Club pancake breakfast, barbecue, car painting and petting zoo for the kids. The show and other events are free to the public.

By Jeremy Los

“I do not want the government to shut-down, but the bottom line is Washington needs to get its finances in order. Out of every dollar the United States government spends, 40 cents is borrowed. This is unsustainable.” -- Rep. Brian Bilbray (R-San Diego)

“Republicans are trying to ram through a disgraceful budget that would destroy Medicare, drive an entire generation of seniors into poverty, but give the wealthiest Americans even more tax cuts. It’s shameful. It’s immoral.” --Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-New York).

April 15, 2011-(Washington D.C.)-- President Barack Obama laid out his fiscal agenda in a speech Wednesday, announcing plans to cut our massive national debt while pledging to preserve Medicare, a program credited with lifting millions of seniors out of poverty. View his speech.

April 15, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--On Saturday, April 16, from 12 to 4:00 p.m., Heritage of the Americas Museum will host Craig Helm, certified appraiser, who specializes in Native American, pre-Columbian, antique pictures, guns, western memorabilia, and Asian artifacts.

Increase your enjoyment of living!

By Sharon Courmousis
Sacred Rocks Reserve

April 15, 2011 (Boulevard)--There are times when being away and returning opens our eyes to unexpected beauty. True, it happens every year about this time; however, we tend to forget. When we live with minute changes in nature every day, it may be difficult to really see what is evolving.

As you drive around the mountains, notice the stunningly vivid yellow flowers, pushing up out of the ground suddenly. It is as if a mighty paintbrush has colored all available ground with a very large stoke. It set me to wondering…..

April 15, 2011 (San Diego) – Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Pomerado Saxophone Quartet will perform a variety of music in a free concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17 in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center theater. The one-hour concert will be followed by a public reception in the Visitor Center Gallery.