By Janis Mork

January 17, 2013 (San Diego) --Recently, the Karen [pronounced ‘care-en’] organization held its fourth annual Karen New Year at Crawford High. Karen New Year is a culture celebration for refugees from Burma.

More than 1,200 refugees from Burma now call San Diego home, resettled here after living in refugee camps in Thailand. Many were forced to leave their homeland after the Burmese government began burning villages as part of a religious persecution. The Karen includes both Buddhists and Christians, who received a warm reception from civic leaders at the celebration. 

“We have an opportunity in San Diego to create a truly great international city; a city that respects and empowers its people; a city that protects and enhances their quality of life, and a city that promotes good-paying jobs and a healthy economy for all residents.” – Mayor Bob Filner

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2013 (San Diego)—In his State of the City address this week, newly elected Mayor Bob Filner  discussed financial challenges as well as his vision for the future. He likened the city to a “patient who has overcome a serious illness,” citing a past cover-up of financial problems.

“The budget surplus predicted by my predecessor last year could actually be a deficit as much as $40 million,” Filner said, noting that state funding issues and court cases remain to be resolved.   “But if we learned anything from the mistakes of the past, it’s that it is better to be truthful about these problems than to cover them up,” he said.  Despite challenges ahead, the Mayor laid out ambitious plans for revitalizing the region's economy, making San Diego the nation's solar capital, expanding redevelopment to neighborhoods city-wide, and improving communication systems for regional emergencies such as wildfires.

By Alfred Waddell

January 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)--The second amendment needs to be re-defined for the modern times.

It is my notion that the right to bear arms is very similar to the right to smoke; they both have a cancerous effect that contributes to the decay in modern society. We as a society can continue to ignore and look the other way with temporary fixes that give the appearance of seriousness; however, the reality is: there are too many guns in the US; and our too-many-guns are being turned on us.

January 17, 2013 (La Mesa) –The City of La Mesa is nearing completion of a draft environmental impact report on Park Station, a proposed 18-story high-rise project that would be 10 stories taller than any existing structure in the city. 

Before planners and council members weigh in, Urban Housing Partners, marketers of the project have issued a survey, which you can take here: 

http://fluidsurveys.com/surveys/UrbanHousingPartners/la-mesa-community-survey

January 16, 2013 (San Diego) – The San Diego Sheriff is warning the public to beware of phone scammers posing as members of the Sheriff’s Department.  There are at least two separate scams.  One involves canceling arrest warrants or court appearances for a fee.  The other scam entails notifying the victim that they have won a prize, then asking for payment for taxes.  Scroll down for details.

Update: ECM has obtained the complete list of Executive Actions taken by the President from the White House press office. View them here.

By Miriam Raftery

January 17, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – Joined by families victimized by gun violence, President Barack Obama yesterday announced a comprehensive plan to reduce gun violence, including background check,s limits on ammunition purchases, improved mental healthcare, better resources for schools and law enforcement.

The President has the backing of most Americans, according to several new polls which found strong support for key elements of the proposal.

January 16, 2013--(San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

STATE 

• Calif desert aquifers contain high chemical levels (Sacramento Bee)
• California Poverty Rate Highest in Nation Based on New Census Department Figures(Huffington Post)
• Judge continues to block part of Calif. Initiative on human trafficking  (Sacramento Bee)
• Calif. teachers fund moves to divest from firearms (Sacramento Bee)
• Pilfering plastic a booming industry in Calif. (Sacramento Bee)
• Can San Andreas Break At Once? Study Says Maybe (AP)

LOCAL//REGIONAL

• Gillespie Field Expansion Brings Promise And Controversy(KPBS)
• Filner’s agenda for change tempered by finances (U-T San Diego)
• Murder rises second year in row U-T San Diego)
• DA: La Mesa doctor is a fake (U-T San Diego)
• Date set for power plant implosion (UT San Diego)
• Steps taken for possible restart at Cal nuke plant (Sacramento Bee)
• Ground rules set for Somali terrorism trial (U-T San Diego)
• How Will Junior Seau's CTE Diagnosis Affect The Next Generation? (KPBS)
• Local college students turning to ‘sugar daddies?’ (U-T San Diego)
• FBI Says Crime Rates Increased Across San Diego Area In First Half Of 2012 (KPBS)
• San Diego Lawsuit Says Blue Cross Illegally Targeting HIV/AIDS Patients (KPBS)
• City Heights Stuck in the Middle of Filner-Gloria Spat (Voice of San Diego)
• San Diego Will Take A $40 Million Hit On Pension Costs (KPBS)
• San Diego Ordinance Would Require Businesses To Increase Recycling (KPBS)
• Shames sues UCAN for libel (U-T San Diego)

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.

January 16, 2013 (San Diego) – Graduating high school seniors can earn up to $10,000 towards a college education through to Cox Cares scholarship program.  Cox Communications has been awarding college scholarships for 13 years and this year will be awarding $100,000 state-wide.

January 16, 2013 (Campo) – The Campo Diner is a popular place in East County – and co-owner Carmen Delaguerra is happy to announce that rumors of the diner’s demise are not true.  The Diner is now reopened, following a two-week closure over the holidays due to discovery that well water was contaminated with nitrates.

“We’re getting a new filtration system. They’ve approved us being open for 30 days,” Delaguerra said, adding that while awaiting installation, the restaurant is serving bottled water and relying on paper plates.  “Our customers don’t care about eating on paper plates. They’re telling us they’re thrilled that we’re back open."

Closure came without warning at the busiest time of the year, just before Christmas, when the nearby Pacific Southwest Railway Museum runs its Christmas train rides.  “We had a party coming in that evening and we had to shut down that afternoon,”Delaguerra said. "It couldn't have happened at a worse time."

January 16, 2012 (Jamul)--The League will have tryouts on Saturday, January 26^th starting at 9am for players ages 7-14.  There will also be registration for boys and girls ages 5-14. 

The location is at the Jamul Little League Fields at 14545 Lyons Valley Rd, Jamul, CA.  The fields are between Jamul Primary and Jamul Intermediate School.

January 16, 2013 (Washington, D.C.)--The Democratic Caucus earlier this month approved additional committee assignments for Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) has been assigned to serve on the House Science, Space and Technology committee.

By Miriam Raftery

January 16, 2013 (San Diego) – Wind industry professionals and government leaders gathered at the Hilton in  La Jolla-Torrey Pines for a four-day conference sponsored by the American Wind Energy Association January 14-17.

On opening day, a Regional Wind Energy Summit-West was held focusing on on demand and challenges in the region, as well as new opportunities for wind energy developers in the western United States ranging from corporate clients and point-of-use projects to repowering older wind farms. 

January 15, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego County Parks have many activities scheduled throughout the month of January—including everything from ranger-led hikes to star parties.  Scroll down for activities in our inland regions, or visit www.sdparks.org for a full listing.

It’s Not Too Late to Vaccinate; Plenty of Flu Vaccine Available

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--Another four county residents have died from influenza, bringing the number of deaths reported this flu season to six, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced today.

The number of people sick with influenza is also on the rise in the region. In the week ending Jan. 12, a total of 311 local flu cases were reported, more than double the number of cases reported the prior week, which had 143 cases. A total of 670 flu cases have been reported so far this season. Emergency departments are also seeing more patients with flu-like illnesses. They make up six percent of all visits, which is the expected level during the flu season but still an increase of a two-to-three percent from prior weeks.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

January 15, 2013 (San Diego)--Children’s Book Drive: Adventures by the Book, in partnership with Yellow Book Road Children's Bookstore, is hosting a special book drive and fundraising event featuring 10 bestselling and popular children's authors and illustrators, some of the most talented children's authors and illustrators in Southern California.