East County News Service

October 21, 2019 (San Diego) – This fabulous fall favorite recipe for Pumpkin Bisque comes to us from Andy Williamson, farmer/owner of Grow Eco, a community supported agriculture farm in San Diego.  You can order boxes of fresh, seasonal local produce delivered to your doorstep on a weekly or every-other-week basis and get more delicious recipes on their website. 

East County News Service

October  21, 2019 (Poway) -- The effervescent and eclectic folk singer Steve Poltzhas been described as “quite possibly the most talented and engaging solo performer on this planet” by Front Porch Music.

Source: Helix Water District 

October 21, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This Saturday, October 26, Helix Water District is hosting Helix Water Talks, a behind-the-scenes look at how their field operations crews maintain the vast water distribution system that delivers water from their treatment plant in Lakeside to 276,000 people in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Spring Valley. 

Superintendent and school board president refuse to answer questions on videos; recent flash mob video cost over $21,500

By Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor; Miriam Raftery, Editor, also contributed to this report.

Photo: Superintendent David Miyashiro in CVUSD flash mob video

Update:  Shortly after publication of this report, the CVUSD belatedly responded  to ECM's California Public Records Act requst for documentation of any financial or enrollment benefits received by the district due to its promotional videos on YouTube.  Naomie Rodrigues sent an e-mail advising that "NO SUCH DOCUMENTS EXIST" but noted that some videos were published on the County Department of Education's website.  View our article on her reply and the district's lagging responses to other records requests. 

October 16, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The internet has revolutionized video marketing. From small businesses to government agencies, organizations can now harness resources at YouTube and other online portals to directly market messages to a target audience.

The Cajon Valley Union School District (CVUSD) has utilized its Youtube channel and other social media portals to disseminate professionally produced video marketing and promotional messages for its school projects and World of Work career path program.

Utilizing taxpayer money, the district has produced and promoted impressive videos such as “A Day in the Life of a Cajon Valley Bus Driver,” “Education and business leaders from Vista and Colorado tour Cajon Valley,” an invitation to a Grandparents Day event, Fall Festivals, Madison Avenue Elementary Lemonade Fundraiser, and numerous WoW (World of Work) videos. The District also produces a monthly “broadcast” with news and events directed to school personnel and staff.

Hefty costs

But critics say the CVUSD is making too much of a good thing, since these videos produced by the district have come with a high price tag.

According to information provided to East County Magazine by the CVUSD in response to a public records request, from July 2014 (when David Miyashiro became Superintendent) through June 30, 2019, the district has spent over half a million dollars -- $576,289.60 to be exact -- on marketing and promotional videos.

Source:  City of La Mesa

October 21, 2019 (La Mesa) – Similar to other jurisdictions in California and around the nation, the La Mesa City Council has directed the City Attorney to file a lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California against numerous opioid manufacturers and distributors.

October 21 (San Diego) -- San Diego’s backcountry is expected to experience Santa Ana winds Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 20-22), winds expected to peak on Monday in the 30-40 miles per hour range.  The utility has warned 1,032 customers that it may need to turn off power for safety in these communities:

• Boulder Creek
• Boulevard
• Cameron
• Crestwood
• La Posta
• Valley Center East
• Viejas

(A map of the areas that could potentially be affected is posted at sdge.com/ready.)

Source:  Senator Leyva’s office

SB 227 Empowers CDPH to Enforce Nurse Staffing Ratio Requirements

October 21, 2019 (Sacramento) -- Governor Gavin Newsom has signed Senate Bill 227, a bill by Senator Connie M. Leyva (D-Chino) to protect patient safety and reinforce nurse staffing ratio requirements in California.

Directed by Randy Reinholz (Choctaw) in SDSU’s Experimental Theatre; production is a collaboration with LA theatre company, Native Voices at the Autry

Source: SDSU

October 20, 2019 (San Diego) -- The SDSU School of Theatre, Television, and Film presents Lying with Badgers, a timeless story of hope, loss, identity, and wonder, from Friday, Nov. 1 to Sunday, Nov. 10 in SDSU’s Experimental Theatre.  

Source: Calif. State Council on Developmental Disabilities

October 20, 2019 (Sacramento) -- Governor Gavin Newsom has signed AB 1172 last Wednesday authored by Assemblymember Jim Frazier. In 2018, a student in El Dorado Hills died after he reportedly stopped breathing after being placed in a prone restraint for over an hour. The California State Council on Developmental Disabilities testified in support of the bill that takes important steps forward to protecting students attending non-public schools.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez

October 20, 2019 (La Mesa) – The city of La Mesa is seeking diverse representation for the newly created Citizen Public Safety Task Force. Members will develop the framework for a Commission that will review police department policy, complaint investigations, training, and citizen concerns. This Commission will provide recommendations to assist the La Mesa Police Department in serving the city in a more effective manner.

If you are interested in applying, visit http://www.cityoflamesa.us/250/Boards-Commissions.

By Miriam Raftery 

October 19, 2019 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service is warning of critical fire weather from Sunday through Tuesday locally, with the highest risk on Tuesday. 

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Donald Trump greets Rep. Duncan Hunter (left) and Rep. Darrell Issa at San Diego rally in 2016. Photo by Chris Stone

October 18, 2019 (San Diego) - Rep. Duncan D. Hunter had President Trump’s back Wednesday — even breaking with his party on what fellow veterans call the betrayal of U.S.-allied Kurds.

Some 129 Republicans joined 225 Democrats approving a resolution decrying Trump’s decision to green-light Turkey’s attacks on Kurdish forces in northeast Syria.

By Miriam Raftery

October 18, 2019 (La Mesa) – Westmont of La Mesa invites the public to a tour, buffet lunch, entertainment and prizes this Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20, from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The upscale facility features independent living and assisted living, including memory care, at its location at 9000 Murray Drive at Wakarusa.

This 130,00-square foot, three story retirement community includes 50,000 square feet of common area space will include a common meeting room that can be used by community groups for meetings and workshops, along with a pool that can be used for aqua aerobics for residents, as well as the community.