April 15, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--On Saturday, April 16, from 12 to 4:00 p.m., Heritage of the Americas Museum will host Craig Helm, certified appraiser, who specializes in Native American, pre-Columbian, antique pictures, guns, western memorabilia, and Asian artifacts.

Increase your enjoyment of living!

By Sharon Courmousis
Sacred Rocks Reserve

April 15, 2011 (Boulevard)--There are times when being away and returning opens our eyes to unexpected beauty. True, it happens every year about this time; however, we tend to forget. When we live with minute changes in nature every day, it may be difficult to really see what is evolving.

As you drive around the mountains, notice the stunningly vivid yellow flowers, pushing up out of the ground suddenly. It is as if a mighty paintbrush has colored all available ground with a very large stoke. It set me to wondering…..

April 15, 2011 (San Diego) – Celebrating its tenth anniversary, the Pomerado Saxophone Quartet will perform a variety of music in a free concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 17 in the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center theater. The one-hour concert will be followed by a public reception in the Visitor Center Gallery.

Award-winning journalist and ECM's own East of the Line columnist hosts TGIF Report on East County issues

Show airs Fridays from 6-7 p.m. on FM 107.9

By Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2011 (Alpine) – She’s won awards for investigative reporting and spent nearly 25 years writing and editing articles about East County’s hottest topics such as wildfires, wind turbines, border and land use issues. Her coverage has drawn national attention on 60 Minutes and 20-20 TV shows. She’s also rooted out tales of feral pigs and turkey hunts, offered tips on how to remove horse manure, and covered local politics. (Some might see similarity in these topics.)
 

Now the backcountry’s best-known news hound has a found a new home behind the microphone at my107.9 radio in Alpine, where her new show, the TGIF report covers news and events in San Diego’s backcountry communities and Alpine.  East County Magazine readers will recognize Jannen as author of the popular East of the Line column on backcountry issues.
 

The TGIF (Thank God It’s Friday) Report airs Fridays from 6-7 p.m. because “I don’t do mornings well,” quips Jannen. If you’re not close enough to Alpine to pick up the signal, you can listen to the show streaming live at http://www.my1079.com.

April 14, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) is working with San Diego American Indian Health Center (SDAIHC) to notify patients who were possibly exposed to tuberculosis (TB) at SDAIHC’s downtown location. The period of exposure was from Oct. 1, 2010 to April 1, 2011.

Update April 21: A source close to the family informs ECM that Sotelo has returned safely home.

April 13, 2011 (San Diego) – San Diego Police this evening alerted media that 15-year-old Valeria Sotelo has been missing since Monday April 11 at 5 p.m. She was last seen exiting her school bus at Orange and Euclid Avenue.

Sotelo is Hispanic, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 125 pounds, with brown eyes, brown hair, and a medium complexion. She was wearing a black shirt, blue jeans, and black Converse tennis shoes and is considered "at risk," according to an SDPD media release.

April 13, 2011 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa residents who are Vietnam War Veterans are invited to attend the La Mesa City Council meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at the City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Avenue.

The City Council will honor these military personnel for their service during the meeting as part of its ongoing effort to recognize local veterans. Last month, the Council recognized Korean War Veterans, in February the WWII Veterans, and in January the Council honored the Pearl Harbor Survivors for their valor.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2011--Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, Miss Santee Maria Maes, local legislators’ representatives and community leaders were on hand last week for the grand opening of Santee’s newest attraction: ten waterfront cabins, including three afloat on Lake Seven.
 

Invited guests savored a cake baked to resemble the lake itself, complete with cabins and waterfowl.  The occasion also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Santee Lakes.

Compromise budget includes large cuts to health and nutrition programs for low-income Americans, public broadcasting, Planned Parenthood services, high-speed rail, and air pollution controls

By Jeremy Los

April 13, 2011- A government shut down was averted in the 11th hour as House Republicans were able to reach agreement Friday with President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats about a budget for the next six months. 

The compromise will look to cut federal spending by some $38 billion dollars this year. The budget itself has yet to be completely passed, however, as Friday’s last minute deal simply provided a stopgap, allowing for a continued flow of federal funding through this Thursday. Update April 15, 2011 - Congress approved the stopgap budget yesterday for funding through year's end.

April 13, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Assemblymember Marty Block (D-AD78) to provide law enforcement with better tools to fight the growing epidemic of gang-related criminal sexual exploitation and human trafficking, cleared its first Assembly committee today. AB 918 was approved by the Assembly Public Safety Committee by a vote of 6-0.

April 12, 2011 (Lakeside) – 10:10 p.m. -- San Diego Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 9:19 p.m. reporting a fight between two men at 12636 Julian Avenue, Lakeside. A short time later, another caller reported a fight involved about eight men at the same address, a condominium.

April 12, 2011 (Washington D.C.) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to restore cuts made to education aid for veterans going to college. The Post 9/11 GI Bill Payment Restoration Act (H.R. 1451) would reinstate living expense stipends during school breaks.

“Our service members earned and deserve their educational benefits,” said Davis, a member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. “We have a responsibility to keep these benefits worthy of their dedication and sacrifices to the nation.”

April 12, 2011 (San Diego) – Marcos Manual Rodriguez Perez, 26, was captured and taken into custody today in Tijuana. The director of Tijuana Municipal Police, in a prepared statement, identified Perez as the killer of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas Jr, who was killed in an ambush near Campo in July 2009.

April 12, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Brew Ha Ha Comedy presents two “rainbow headliner” shows this weekend. On Friday, April 15, funny lady Sarah Burford stars in an “All Women Comedy Show” from 7-8:30 p.m. at 6784 El Cajon Blvd.

Plus pointers on where to get a prom dress at a bargain rate or free

By Nancy Clement