May 7, 2011 (Jamul) – A landscaper on his way home from work was struck by a passing MTS trolley in National City on May 4 at 2:07 p.m. He was transported to a hospital, where despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead soon after arrival. The San Diego Medical Examiner’s office has identified the victim as Stephen Palmer, 64, a married resident of Jamul.

May7, 2011 (El Cajon) – Braulio Soliven Ellorin, 61, of Paradise Hills was pronounced dead at the scene of an accident shortly after midnight Friday morning, May 6th. He was driving westbound on I-8 at a high rate of speed when he missed a curve at Harbison Canyon in El Cajon and veered onto the median, then back across traffic lanes. His Mazda Protage sedan went up onto the shoulder and rolled over multiple times down into a steep ravine, according to the San Diego Medical Examiner.

May 7, 2011 ( La Mesa) -- You're invited to purchase tickets today for C. Hook Theater's upcoming production, Once Upon a Mattress. It will be held at the Performing Arts Center at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center, located at 6845 Universtiy Ave., San Diego.

The play will be performed by C. Hook Theater's cast of high-school-aged students June 22, 2011 through June 24 at 7.00 p.m. with the June 25 performance at 1:00 p.m. Be our guests as you enjoy a delightful evening of entertainment and comedy.

May 6, 2011 (Lake Murray) --  The Lake Murray 4th of July Music Fest Bake Sale will be held this Saturday, May 7th.   Each year the Music Fest committee budget runs short, so we are starting early to give them a fund-raising boost.  Most of us look forward to watching the fireworks from our favorite viewing point above Lake Murray, so let's work together to ensure it's success again this year. Everyone can do their part by donating a baked goodie and/or stopping by our booth to support the cause.  The bake sale will be held at the corner of Del Cerro Blvd. and Marne Ave. (across from the Chevron). 

May 6, 2011 (Alpine) – East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery will be on the air Friday from 6-7 p.m. on Billie Jo Jannen’s “TGIF” program on FM 107.9 radio. Today’s show will also feature Alpine Sun Editor Christy Scott in an editors’ panel discussing the hottest backcountry issues. Topics include Sunrise Powerlink, trans-border trucking, new solar proposed projects, graffiti, grants for fire mitigation, and more.   Listen live!

By Brian Lafferty

May 6, 2011 (San Diego) – The Princess of Montpensier is a movie that demands your utmost attention. I barely wrote down any notes out of fear I’d miss something important. The entire film hinges on every line of dialogue and every character’s actions. This likely explains why the two hour and nineteen minute running time flies by rapidly.

May 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.

May 5, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Governor Jerry Brown has announced plans to travel throughout California discussing the budget deficit with the people. Now Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) has sent a letter inviting the Governor to meet with people in El Cajon. He has collected letters of support for his invitation from prominent community leaders including elected officials, business leaders, and prominent educators.

 If you would like your voice heard and want the Governor to come to East County, Senator Anderson suggests that you send your letter via fax (916-447-9008) or e-mail (senator.anderson@senate.ca.gov; his staff will then deliver it to the Governor.

May 5, 2011 (San Diego) – A new pageant takes the stage on Monday, May 30, when the Joan B. Kroc Center will host the 2011 Miss San Diego Cities Pageant. Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing women ages 13-26 to participate in the program. Miss San Diego Cities 2011 will receive at $1,000.00 scholarship while Miss Teen San Diego Cities will receive a $500.00 scholarship.

The pageant is open to residents of unincorporated areas as well as residents of cities within San Diego County. It will be the first county wide pageant since the “Fairest of the Fair” ended in 2004 that does not have a swimsuit competition, does not have a talent competition and where the contestants do participate in essay writing and speech presentation.

May 5, 2011 (San Diego) – Sen. Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) announced today that her legislation to better educate juries about the severity of unlawful strangulation between partners passed the Senate Public Safety Committee by a vote of 5-0 and now advances to the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

“Almost half of domestic violence homicide victims experienced at least one episode of attempted strangulation before experiencing a lethal or near-lethal violent incident, and victims of attempted strangulation are seven times more likely to become homicide victims,” said Kehoe. “By providing clear legislation to guide judges and juries in addressing this lethal form of violence which occurs particularly often in domestic violence cases, homicides will be reduced, lives saved, and surviving victims will enter a more informed and responsive criminal justice system.”

May 5, 2011 (El Cajon) -- The public is invited to an open house for the new East Region Public Health Center in El Cajon at 460 North Magnolia Avenue, Suite 110  in El Cajon on Friday May 6 from 10:30 a.m. untill noon.

“The new health center location will provide an improved environment for the community to obtain the health services they need,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

San Diego River Park Foundation announces a series of events to raise funds for establishing trails, parks, gardens and visitor centers along the 52-mile-long San Diego River. The events include San Diego Days, San Diego RiverFest, and a Healthy River Run.

San Diego River Days May 7-8 and 14-15 offer community events along the 52-mile San Diego River from the mountains near Julian to Ocean Beach’s Dog Beach. Activities include bike rides, cleanups, mountain hikes, planting along the river, educational venues, along with nature and history walks. At the conclusion of River Days on May 15, the San Diego River Park Foundation and more than 50 organizations of the San Diego River Coalition join together with families from throughout the county for RiverFest.

May 5, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – A packed audience turned out Tuesday in Lemon Grove, where the cash-strapped city’s council voted 3-2 to eliminate the Recreation Department. Around 20 members of the community addressed the council, which also opted against outsourcing programs to the YMCA.

“All the community people who spoke were in favor of keeping the city’s youth programs,” said Councilman George Gastil, who voted against axing the department.