May 12, 2011 (El Cajon) -- A free workshop titled "Merchandising to Sell" will be offered on Wednesday, May 18, 2011, at First Baptist Church, 190 E. Douglas Avenue, in El Cajon. Presented by the El Cajon Center City Development Corporation and,  California Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the workshop will provide local business owners with tips and personalized assistance in effective merchandising. Presented by Bruce Baker, Author of Dynamic Sales & Customer Service Techniques, Booth Design & Merchandising and Sell It.  The workshop will help business owners and merchants create better display spaces and draw more sales.

May 11, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and our region published in other media.

Latest Roundup headlines include:

• San Diego Police Chief announces strategy to reduce officer misconduct (L.A. Times)
• KPBS blows up “These Days”, exiles classical music (Voice of San Diego)
• COSTCO co-founder donates $2.5 million to SDSU (10 News)
• Suburban El Cajon woman accused of ‘selling death’ (Santee Patch)
• Sinaloa cartel operative captured in Mexicali (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• State’s high speed rail wins $300 M rejected by FL (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Teen suspect detained with big arsenal (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Victim recounts home invasion tied to USD bribery suspects (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• City saves $323 million on retiree healthcare (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• No Sound wall for La Mesa Meadows (La Mesa Patch)

By Miriam Raftery

May 11, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Several of our readers have asked for updates on the crisis at the Fukushima, Japan nuclear reactors. I expected that since the story seems to have fallen off the radar of most major media, the situation might have stabilized.

By Jeremy Los

May 11, 2011 – The battle over the Mt. Soledad cross is being revamped recently as Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-San Diego) looks to protect the 41-foot cross atop the La Jolla landmark under his proposed War Memorial Protection Act.  Language from the Act has now been included as a provision under the National Defense Authorization Act.  Hunter's measure would allow for the preservation of war memorials that display religious symbols.

The full bill is expected to be heard tomorrow by the House Armed Services Committee during mark-up.

Bring Your Items and Take Part In This Community E Waste Event

May 11, 2011 (La Mesa) --In order to create a cleaner environment for our community, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce is hosting an electronic waste (e-waste) recycling collection event.  It will take place on Saturday , May 14th and Sunday, May 15, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. The drive will be located in the parking lot of Grossmont Center between Lava Fitness and Fuddruckers.

May 10, 2011 (Santee) --The West Hills High School Foundation is hosting a Stand Up Comedy fundraising event Saturday,  May 14th at West Hills High's Bob Guess Theatre in Santee.  The doors open at 6:15 and the show starts promptly at 7:00.   Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door.  Headliner and alumni Dat Phan will be performing with a variety of other comedians.  Dat was the season 1 winner of NBC's hit show, "Last Comic Standing."

Advanced tickets can be purchased at Al's Sport Shop in Santee or online at www.WHHSFoundation.org

Register no later than Thursday, May 12, 2011 (information at end of article). 

May 10, 2011 (San Diego) -- Congressman Bob Filner wants to make sure all of the small businesses in San Diego and surrounding areas have the opportunity to take advantage of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Jobs Act Tour, which is making a stop in San Diego on Friday, June 3, 2011.

“This will give small businesses access to all of the tools and experts the SBA now offers under the Jobs Act,” said Congressman Filner.  “This event is about bringing government resources to the small businesses so they don’t have to go to several different places to find out how we can help them grow their businesses.”

May 10, 2011 (El Cajon) – As construction funded by a 2002 bond measure nears an end, East County applicants are being sought for four upcoming vacancies on the citizens’ committee responsible for ensuring that money from the $207 million bond for projects at Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges is spent as promised.

May 10, 2011 (San Diego) --  Mission Trails Regional Park, one of our City’s least known, great treasures, is open every day. But only once a year do dozens of volunteers, Park Rangers and community leaders host a large free event to help San Diegans learn more about their Park and how to enjoy it.  On Saturday, May 21, residents of all ages are invited to the 2011 event: Explore Mission Trails Day  On May 21, 2011, Mission Trails will hold activities free for all ages.

The younger children can learn about things like bats, nature walks, raptors, reptiles, and other animals. There will also be pony rides for the kids (until 1:30 p.m.)  Older kids and adults will find nature discovery stations, a rock-climbing wall, hiking pole demos (7:30-11 a.m.). There will also be a star-gazing party.

La Mesa financial advisory firm will present resolution at annual stockholders meeting in Carlsbad

May 9, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – Blue Summit Wealth Management ih La Mesa, a national leader in socially responsible and sustainable financial services, has been asked to represent shareholders with over $30 billion in assets under management at Eastman Kodak’s annual shareholder meeting in Carlsbad on May 11th. 

Judy Seid, founder of Blue Summit and author of the "Good Money" column in ECM, will present a resolution to address what shareholders believe is a misalignment between Eastman Kodak’s leadership on issues such as the environment and climate change and the company's role as a member of the Board of Directors for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which has fought against climate change legislation and emissions regulations.

May 9, 2011 (El Cajon) -- If you haven’t been yet, don't miss the next monthly antique show in El Cajon on Wednesday, May 11th!  See all the great collectibles, including jewelry, photos, artwork, dolls, textiles, dishes, pottery, and glassware.

This event is held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Ronald Reagan Community Center located at 195 East Douglas Avenue, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

May 8, 2011 (Ramona) -- It's Wildfire Awareness Week  in California and a quick -moving brush fire that threatened homes in Santee on Tuesday, May 3rd  is a reminder that Fire Season is upon us.  Your Sheriff’s Department  wants you to be ready so the Ramona Substation is holding a Wildfire Evacuation Community  Forum on Monday, May 16th  at the Ramona Library 1275 Main Street at 2:00 p.m. for the public.

May 7, 2011 (El Cajon) --The El Cajon Valley Host Lions Club will present its 2nd annual Gun Smoke Casino Night on May 13th from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan El Cajon Community Center. "Gamblin n Carousin" in an old west saloon features all the excitement of professional casino-style gaming which includes roulette, craps, blackjack and poker.

May 8, 2011 (Sacramento)--Assembly Higher Education Chair Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) has authored legislation that calls on campuses of the California Community Colleges (CCC), California State University (CSU), and the University of California (UC) to enforce local and system-wide smoking and tobacco laws and ordinances already in place. AB 795 would give these institutions the authority to enforce current policies and fine perpetrators.

The measure was overwhelmingly approved this week by the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.

May 8, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for San Diego’s mountain and desert regions. The warning is in effect through midnight tonight. Sustained winds of 40 mph or more are forecast with gusts up to 60 mph possible.