Tragedy highlights importance of pool safety; drowning is second leading cause of death for children under age 14

June 21, 2010 (San Diego) – A one-acre brush fire the 3900 block of Federal Boulevard near Highway 94 in San Diego has now been extinguished, San Diego Fire reports. The blaze caused evacuation of apartments along a ridge top late this afternoon, but was swiftly doused with no damage to structures.

By Brian Lafferty

June 19, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Jonah Hex is one of those movies that had me sitting in the dark both literally and figuratively. I had barely any idea what was going on except Jonah Hex’s (Josh Brolin) family being torched by Quentin Turnbull (John Malkovich), Jonah seeking revenge, and Turnbull’s attempted terrorist plot on Washington D.C.

By East County News Service

June 18, 2010 (El Cajon) -- El Cajon's 15th Annual Concerts on the Green begins Friday, June 25 with the Legends, who will perform their oldies music from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. Ed Waymire returns as master of ceremonies.  

The temporary location for Concerts on the Green is the outdoor amphitheater at the East County Performing Arts Center pending completion of the renovation of Prescott Promenade.

June 20, 2010 (Escondido) – Lake Wohlford Road is closed at Valley Center and Oak Vale, where residents are being evacuated due to a brush fire that began in a canyon shortly after noon today, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Bill to limit fee increase to be heard Monday in Legislature

By Miriam Raftery

June 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The California State University Board of Trustees today voted to raise CSU fees by 5% for undergraduates and graduate students and by 10% for doctoral education students. For full-time undergraduates, that amounts to a $204 annual increase—bringing total CSU fees to $4,230 starting in fall 2010.

Gavin Newsom, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, called the hikes “unacceptable” and noted that CSU has raised fees seven times in eight years—including a 32% hike last year alone.

“That cost is pricing very many would-be students out of the chances of getting a college education,” said Pat Washington, an instructor at San Diego State University and a leader with California Communities Unitied Institute.

June 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) –  In the hotly contested Governor's race, last week Republican Meg Whitman refused to debate Democrat Jerry Brown, challenging Brown to release a plan to improve California's economy. Now Brown, former Governor and current Attorney General, has responded by releasing a detailed eight-point action plan for investment in renewable energy technology and creation of over half a million green jobs--a plan  he calls the "key to our economic future."  See Brown's detailed plan here or scroll down for highlights. 

Whitman's economic plan relies on tax cuts, tax incentives and spending cuts which she contends will boost the economy.  She has also called for repeal of AB 32--a step that leaders at Clean Tech San Diego (a nonprofit formed by prominent San Diego business leaders to make our region a world leader in green-tech industries) say would cripple the emerging green and clean-tech industries in California.

June 18, 2010 (San Diego) – Two-year-old Jovani Louangxaysongxham was killed this morning after running out in front of a trash truck, the San Diego Coroner's office confirms.  The child’s mother was assisting an older sibling into a vehicle when the two-year-old spotted his father across the street from the family’s home at 1100 South 43rd Street and ran into the roadway. He was struck by an Allied Waste Service trash truck and became trapped beneath the vehicle.

By Rachel Mahoney

ASKS BP TO PUT DIVIDENDS IN ACCOUNT FOR OIL SPILL CLEANUP AND VICTIM COMPENSATION

June 18, 2010 (Washington D.C.) – As BP board members debate whether to move forward with a scheduled dividend payment, U.S. Congressman Bob Filner joined 31 other members of Congress to call on the oil company to instead direct those funds to an escrow account dedicated to cleaning up the Deepwater Horizon spill and compensating its victims.

Direct Mail vs. Internet Marketing Part 2: Defining Internet Marketing

By Rama Beerfas

June 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Last column, we defined “direct mail.” This time, we will touch on the various avenues available for marketing through the internet, both paid and free.

June 17, 2010 – Paul Nichols will perform his “solo acoustic extravaganza” complete with guitar, vocals, foot stomping and harmonicas on Friday, June 18th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Gio Bistro & Wine Bar/Restaurant  in La Mesa Village.

Loyal readers of East County Magazine will recall this talented artist's performances at our “On the Road with the East County” party at The Vines in Alpine and our “Celebrate East County” event at Heritage of the Americas Museum.