By Miriam Raftery
“I hope this will spread across America.” - Congressman Bob Filner at a pre-dawn rally, where he announced that Union Bank called off plans to have the Sheriff issue a foreclosure notice today to evict a woman and her child with cancer

Update 6 p.m.:  This dispute ended peacefully with no injuries following  a four-hour standoff.  The man, Stephen Gainder, 45, surrendered to deputies and was taken to Pomerado Hospital for evaluation.  Pomerado News reports that a neighbor called the Sheriff following a loud dispute between Gainder and his elderly mother. After deputies attempted to subdue him with a taser and beanbags, he armed himself with a crossbow.  
September 14, 2010 (Poway) 12:56 p.m. -- Negotiators from the San Diego Sheriff’s office are attempting to talk a man armed with a crossbow into surrendering. According to ECM news partner 10 News, deputies performing a welfare check in the 14000 block of Tobiasson Road were told by the man that he is armed with a crossbow and refusing to come out.

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Paul Parks

September 14, 2010 (Alpine)--Michael Bolton displayed the dazzling breadth of his talent in a concert at Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge in Alpine Sunday night. His performances ranged from vintage classics by Sinatra and Gershwin to jazz and rock ‘n’ roll. Mounting a platform in the center of the audience, he sang his Grammy Award-winning version of “When a Man Loves a Woman” – much to the delight of women in the crowd.

September 14, 2010 (Campo) -- The Rural Economic Action League will host a candidate forum to allow the public to query contenders for the Campo Lake Morena Planning Group on their views and positions. The forum is from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 21 at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road, in Campo.

East County News Service

September 13, 2010 (Bonita) – Congressman Bob Filner (D-San Diego) is urging  the public to join him in a massive demonstration against foreclosures.

“…Innocent citizens in San Diego County are being defrauded because government officials are failing to protect the public they serve.” 

By Richard Halsey

September 13, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host “Who Foots The Bill,” a free informational meeting for adults interested in returning to school to reenter the workforce, learn a new career, earn a college diploma or upgrade skills for a job promotion. The event is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 21. Speakers include financial experts offering advice on estimating and planning for college expenses, along with information on admission procedures, transfer programs and financial aid.

I Was … I Am, How to Move Beyond Your Past to Create an Extraordinary Life, by Allison ‘Tammy’ Moore, (Wilmington, Delaware, 2010, 338 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 12, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Allison ‘Tammy’ Moore has written what at times seems like a tragicomedy: I Was … I Am. In reality, it is her story of incarceration, and how she used the experience to become a better and stronger person.

East County News Network

September 13, 2010 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon invites dog owners to visit the Wells Park “off leash” dog areas. “It’s perfect for those who live in a house, apartment or condo with little or no yard,” said Monica Zech, public information officer for El Cajon—and a proud dog owner.

September 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police officers talked down a suicidal man off a trolley bridge over Baltimore Drive and I-8 yesterday afternoon. The man called police at 3:06 p.m. and told them he intended to jump off the bridge.

East County News Service
September 13, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency is conducting an enforcement operation in the Mt. Helix area of La Mesa, East County Magazine has learned.

“We have served four search warrants and seized approximately 500 marijuana plants and two rifles,” Amy Roderick, public information officer with the DEA’s San Diego field division, informed ECM at 10:55 a.m.

By Brian Lafferty

September 13, 2010 (San Diego)--“I don’t want to play the character of Joaquin Phoenix anymore,” says Phoenix, the subject of this documentary. “I want to be whatever I am.” That is his explanation for why he chose to give up acting in favor of a rap music career. I’m Still Here, helmed by Phoenix’s brother-in-law Casey Affleck, is a film that you simply cannot prepare for. There are many images you will never unthink. These are not criticisms; as hard as it was to watch, I liked it. I didn’t necessarily enjoy it as I normally would. The documentary sets out and accomplishes what it wants to do and conveys what it wants to communicate. It doesn’t work as entertainment but then maybe that wasn’t the point.

September 13, 2010 (Lakeside) -- San Diego Sheriff’s deputies rescued three hikers on El Cajon Mountain (El Capitan) in Lakeside’s El Monte Valley last night.  The rescued proved challenging due to rugged terrain and conditions.

September 12, 2010 (Lakeside) – Joseph Cantorna, 54, was arrested today in the 8800 block of Cherry Road in Lakeside for lewd acts involving a child. According to Sgt. Brent Strahm with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, a witness intervened and called Sheriff’s deputies after observing the man inappropriately touching a 9-year-old boy and attempting to expose himself.

September 12, 2010 (Spring Valley) – A brush fire reported around noon today charred approximately three acres at the junction of Highway 94 and Highway 125, Heartland Fire confirms.