New law will expand and update benefits for veterans

October 15, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) announced yesterday that President Obama signed H.R. 3219 into law. The Veterans’ Benefits Act of 2010, authored by Filner, improves and modernizes certain benefits administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans and their families.

September 14, 2010 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will host a debate among the three ballot-qualified Congressonal candidates in the 52nd Congressional District. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will square off against challengers Ray Lutz, a Democratic community activist and businessman, and Libertarian Michael Benoit, a small business owner.

The event will take place Friday, October 15th at 7 p.m. in the Communication Arts Theater at Cuyamaca College, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon.

By Brian Lafferty

October 15, 2010 (San Diego)--I didn’t do great in my Introduction to Political Science class but there was one thing that stuck with me: gerrymandering. In the three and a half years since I’ve taken that class I’ve been surprised that the issue has never come up significantly. This documentary of the same name thoroughly and effectively explores this overlooked but very important subject. As Bill Mundell of Californians for Fair Redistricting put it, “Gerrymandering is America’s best kept secret.”

‘Downzoning’ is actually ‘upzoning’ when it comes to property values

October 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Earlier this week we published an inquiry from a Deerhorn Valley/Jamul reader who believed she saw a large meteor possibly crashing to earth over East County on Monday night, October 10.

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

October 15, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) - Have you ever needed to look up a phone number from your cell phone but do not want to pay the $1.50 - $2.00 cost? There is a free 411 service from Microsoft that you can use and the number is 800-225-5411 or 800-CALL-411. Take a minute right now to program this number into your cell phone directory so you never pay for a 411 call again!

October 15, 2010 (San Diego) – Bank America at 6801 El Cajon Blvd. in the Rolando area was robbed on Wednesday at 12:17 p.m. The suspect, a black man in his mid-20s,5’5” to 5’8” tall, was wearing a brown/black baseball cap with ‘SD’ on it, a khaki shirt, and blue jeans.

October 14, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The Foothills Bar Association invites the public to a Judicial Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 14th at 12 p.m. at the BJ’s Restaurant in Grossmont Center. Attorney Jim Miller and Deputy District Attorney Richard Monroy both seek the seat currently held by the Hon. Robert C. Coates, who is retiring soon. This is the only scheduled meeting where both candidates will be present.

The public is welcome to come meet the candidates and ask them questions. There is no charge, however guests are encouraged to purchase lunch.

by Christopher Mohr

October 14, 2010 (San Diego) - The Patrick Henry High School Patriots' girls volleyball team continued their impressive season with a three game sweep in their Eastern League match Tuesday night (10/12) against the Our Lady of Peace Pilots (Normal Heights). They won by scores of 25-16, 25-18 and 25-20 before a packed crowd at their home gym in San Carlos.

October 13, 2010 (Jamul) – An East County Magazine reader asks, “I want to know who else saw the blue and whitish-orange meteor I saw from my house in Deerhorn Valley in Jamul at approximately 8:50 pm on Monday evening, October 11.”

By Dan McMillan, Ratepayer and Director Padre Dam Municipal Water District

October 13, 2010 (Santee)--Referencing recent articles and discussions about water district general manager’s salaries, I would like to comment that some water districts are keenly aware of the present economic conditions faced by their ratepayers and are taking steps to correct some of the economic issues. In 2010, the Board of Padre Dam MWD lowered the compensation of their management team by over 6% and the General Manager, Doug Wilson’s compensation by 5.5% to $190,740 per year.

October 13, 2010 (Alpine) -- Viejas' top chefs will team up with award-winning Ballast Point Brewing & Spirits for a special dinner on Thursday, Oct 14th, 2010 at 6:30 pm in the DreamCatcher Lounge at Viejas. Tickets are $50 each; price includes food, beer and gratuity. A percentage of proceeds will go to the Alpine School District Music & Math Program.

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October 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Union-Tribune has published Q&As with candidates for eight East County school districts: Alpine Union, Cajon Valley, Grossmont Union High School, La Mesa-Spring Valley, Lakeside Union, Lemon Grove, Mountain Empire Unified, and Santee school districts. Below are links to the questionnaires and replies from those candidates who responded: