KICK OFF YOUR SHOES! GRAPE STOMP AT ORFILA AUG. 28

 

August 26, 2010 (San Pasqual) -- Orfila Vineyards in San Pasqual invites you to celebrate the fruits of their labors at its annual Grape Stomp from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 28. Tickets ($85 each) include dinner, wine-tasting reception with hors ‘de oeuvres, live music, tractor rides, and of course, stomping of the grapes. Reserve early, as this event sells out each year.

Full menu includes:

 


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COOLER TEMPS, GUSTY WINDS FOR WEEKEND

 

East County News Service

 

August 27, 2010 (San Diego's East County) - Look for relief from blistering triple-digit heat this weekend, with high temperatures forecast to dip into the 80s Saturday and Sunday in East County.  Gusty winds are also forecast in mountain and desert areas, the National Weather Service predicts.


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INFRARED TECHNOLOGY HELPS DEPUTIES NAB SUSPECT IN SPRING VALLEY

 

August 27, 2010 (Spring Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s ASTREA-3 helicopter assisted Lemon Grove gang suppression deputies in the apprehension of a parolee at large on Wednesday night at 9:44 p.m. on Eileen Street in Spring Valley.


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SIMPLE WISDOM: NURTURE YOUR IMAGINATION

August 27, 2010 (San Diego) -- Do you know how to take responsibility for your creativity? Like many, you may have trouble nurturing your imagination. Facing the blank screen, score, canvas, loom, or clay often brings up inadequacy and its undercurrent -- fear.


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ANDERSON IOU BILL GOES TO GOVERNOR FOR SIGNATURE

 

August 23, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) announced today that his AB 1506, a measure that would require the state to accept its own IOUs in payment for state taxes or fees, has passed both houses of the Legislature and is now on the Governor’s desk.


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SAN DIEGO FIREFIGHTERS BURN ROBERTS, ENDORSE WHITBURN FOR SUPERVISOR

 

August 26, 2010 (San Diego) – Supervisor Ron Roberts has been in office during two of the worst wildfires in San Diego history in 2003 and 2007, serving as Chair of the Board of Supervisors during the 2007 firestorms. But his opponent, challenger Steve Whitburn, has won the coveted endorsement of the San Diego Firefighters Association.

“We believe Stephen is the right choice for Supervisor because he will fight to make our communities safe,” said Frank DeClercq, president of the San Diego City Firefighters.


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CLIMBERS, RESCUERS RECALL HARROWING ORDEAL ON EL CAPITAN

County honors deputies who saved couple’s lives during Monte Fire;

Climbers offer safety tips for others

 

By Miriam Raftery

August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – San Diego Sheriff’s deputies Gary Kneeshaw and Scott Blight saved two rock climbers trapped on the face of El Capitan mountain during the Monte Fire in Lakeside on Saturday.  Today, the deputies were honored with a commendation from the County Board of Supervisors for their heroic actions in a daring ASTREA helicopter rescue. In a press conference at Gillespie Field in El Cajon today, Lieutenant Richardson praised the deputies for actions “above and beyond the call of duty” which “without a doubt, saved the lives” of rock climbers André Doria and Meg Rippy.
 

Doria and Rippy, 27-year-old graduate students at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography, revealed details of their ordeal to East County Magazine.


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COMEDY NIGHT & WINE TASTING AT THE VINE

 

August 26, 2010 (Alpine) – It’s comedy night at The Vine in Alpine on Friday, August 27 at 9 p.m. This month’s comedians include headliner Patrick DeGuire, as well as Graci Stumpf, Willy Wilson, and Josh Lawson—with a cover charge of just $7.

 

How do you top that act? On Saturday, August 28 from 4-7 p.m., the Vine is offering wine tasting—at just $10 for up to 10 tastes.


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KIDS PLAYING WITH FIRE: CAUSE OF MONTE BLAZE

 

August 26, 2010 (Lakeside) - Fire investigators have determined that two juveniles playing with fire caused the Monte Fire, which started on August 21st and burned 926 acres. The blaze briefly threatened homes near the fire’s origin and nearly caused the death of two rock-climbers who were rescued by a Sheriff's helicopter in the nick of time.

 

Recently, there has been a rash of fires caused by children playing with matches or lighters in the backcountry, Cal Fire's Roxanne Provaznik said.


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DRIVER CRASHES ONTO TROLLEY TRACKS IN LA MESA, SUSTAINS SERIOUS INJURY

 

August 26, 2010 (La Mesa) -- At about 5:40 a.m.,La Mesa Police responded to a single vehicle collision on the MTS trolley tracks at the intersection of Spring Street and Interstate 8. A male driver, 34, was exiting onto Spring Street from eastbound I-8 when his vehicle struck a curb and a chain link fence, then came to rest on the MTS trolley tracks.


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LANTERN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES VIETNAMESE CULTURE IN CITY HEIGHTS AUG. 27-29

By Ray M. Wong
 

August 25, 2010 (City Heights) -- Phong Huynh came to the U.S. as a refugee with his family from Vietnam in 1990 at age 12. One of his fondest memories of the country where he spent most of his childhood is the Mid-Autumn Festival called “Tet Trung Thu” celebrated every year.

 


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EL CAJON COUNCIL RESTORES ECCDC FUNDING FOR 6 MONTHS

August 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Citing concerns over a recent audit report, the El Cajon City Council voted 4-1 to extend funding for the El Cajon Community Development Corporation for six months instead of the full year. While the Mayor expressed confidence that a new director has agreed to correct problems identified in the audit, some Councilmembers warned that the City could exercise the City’s 30-day right to terminate the ECCDC’s contract if their concerns are not adequately addressed.


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A CONVERSATION WITH LOCAL FILMMAKER VERNON MORTENSEN


The Kid: Chamaco, which he produced, opens Friday for a one-week engagement

 

By Brian Lafferty

 

August 26, 2010 (El Cajon)--“The quality of writing will get you through the door,” says East County film producer Vernon Mortensen. His newest film, The Kid: Chamaco, opens Friday for a one-week showing at the Reading Gaslamp.  “To get to the door, half the time you need to know somebody," he told me over lunch in El Cajon.


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ALPINE “TREE TOWN” GROUP SEEKS VOLUNTEERS

 

 

East County News Service

August 26, 2010 (Alpine) - Alpine Tree Town invites area residents to a meeting on September 14 at 6:30 p.m.

 

“This group is dedicated to inspiring residents and business owners to plant, maintain and protect trees,” Carlette Anderson said, adding that Tree Town also provides educational programs for local schools. "If you love trees and would like to meet some like minded people then please mark your calendar.” 


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RAINY DAY SAVINGS: HALF-PRICE RAIN BARRELS FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS SAT. AUG. 28

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Want to save water--and reduce your bill?

Residents of San Diego’s unincorporated areas can pick up rain barrel systems for half-price ($30.35 + tax) this Saturday morning. The system is designed to connect to a roof downspout and gutters.  Residents who don’t qualify for the subsidy can buy a rain barrel system for $60.69.


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LUTZ ENDS HUNGER STRIKE, ANNOUNCES NEW NATIONAL ORGANIZATION

 

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- After 11 days of fasting, Democratic Congressional Candidate Ray Lutz announced Monday that after founding a new national organization (Debate for Democracy) to carry on the fight for congressional debates in districts nationwide, he will end his fast. eat. Libertarian candidate Michael Benoit has also resumed eating.

 

 


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READER'S EDITORIAL: NO PLACE AT THE TABLE! FEEDING THE HOMELESS IN SAN DIEGO IS A CRIME


By Rocky Neptun

“Mommie, I’m hungry,” the little girl cried as she stood shivering in the cold wind, waiting for food. The image has never left me…and now that I am semi-retired I want to be part of an effort making sure no more children starve on San Diego city streets.


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BLOCK WARNS BUDGET STALEMATE WILL HARM COLLEGE STUDENTS

 

Amid budget gridlock, Governor proposes taxing services statewide

August 25, 2010 (Sacramento) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) today warned that while the budget is stalled in the Legislature, students cannot receive the funds distributed through the Cal Grants program.


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GROSSMONT COLLEGE STUDENT NEWSPAPER HAS NEW INSTRUCTOR

 

 

August 25, 2010 (El Cajon) --Donald H. Harrison, creator of San Diego Jewish World, an online newspaper, has been selected as the new instructor for the class that produces the Grossmont College student newspaper, The Summit.  In addition to a print version of the student newspaper, Harrison says he is planning for a web-based “Griffin News Service” to feature a calendar of on-campus events, stories written by students, as well as audio and video features.


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FIREFIGHTERS ASK PUBLIC TO “FILL THE BOOT” FOR JERRY’S KIDS

 

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Local firefighters will be participating in the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s annual “Fill the Boot” campaign, raising money to help find a cure for the crippling disease. On September 2, watch for local firefighters stationed around the County to coincide with the annual Labor Day telethon hosted by actor Jerry Lewis for muscular dystrophy.

 


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TOP 5 SPICES FOR YOUR HEALTH

By Dr. Helen Lee, D.C.
www.ChicagoHealers.com

August 25, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- Not only are spices wonderful for adding flavor and jazzing up a delicious meal, they can also enhance your health and act as herbal remedies. Who knew such powerful natural healers were hiding in your spice cabinet?

 


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LA MESA CHAMBER INVITES YOU TO "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

 

Mayor, Council candidates to participate on panel Thursday, September 16
 

August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has invited all candidates running for mayor and city council to share their views in a free public forum on Thursday, September 16 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa. Thus far, both of the  mayoral candidates and five of the six Council candidates have accepted the Chamber's invitation. They are:
 

 


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ARMED KIDNAPPER BARRICADED IN APARTMENT

 

August 25, 2010 (Tierrasanta) 4:30 p.m. – A San Diego Police SWAT/Emergency Response team has been dispatched to an apartment building at 9000 Gramercy Drive near Ruffin Road. A man wanted for kidnapping and domestic violence has barricaded himself inside. “He has access to multiple weapons and he is believed to be armed at this time,” Lt. Andra Brown told East County Magazine, adding that the weapons are handguns.


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100 ACRE FIRE NEAR BARONA MESA & RAMONA AREAS











Update 2:00 p.m. - "This fire is now out," Cal-Fire Nick Schuyler informed East County Magazine." It was a great stop by multilple agencies working together."  The fire was contained at 100 acres; cause is still under investigation. Firefighters will remain on scene through the night mopping up hot spots.

 


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READER’S EDITORIAL: PENSION REFORM FOR HELIX WATER DISTRICT

 

By Russell Buckley

 

August 25, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The President of the Board of Directors of the Helix Water District opened last Wednesday's rate increase hearing by saying it was imperative that the Board do the right thing. I hoped that meant to hold off on the proposed increase until excess pension costs were reduced. Unfortunately, that was not to be the outcome of the vote.


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EDITORIAL: WHAT CALIFORNIA CAN'T AFFORD

 

By Senator Denise Ducheny
Chair, Senate Budget Committee

 

“Thoughtless slashing would eliminate a whole series of State investments that are necessary to our recovery and to providing a sound base for our future prosperity.”

 

August 24, 2010 (Sacramento) -- In the wake of the global economic turmoil of the past few years, there are signs California’s economy has hit bottom and is beginning to recover. While our recovery is fragile, and it will take time to make up ground lost to the worst economic recession since the Great Depression, California is still the 8th largest economy in the world. California’s future is still bright--if we can sustain ourselves in the short term.


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SENATE PASSES CHELSEA’S LAW


 

August 24, 2010 (Sacramento)-- Assembly Bill 1844, Chelsea's Law, passed the California State Senate today by unanimous vote. The measure, carried through the Senate by Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, (R-Murrieta) was authored by Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego). The bill aims to strengthen protections for California children from violent sexual predators.


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DEAD BLUE JAY TESTS POSITIVE FOR WEST NILE VIRUS


County Officials Urge People to Follow Three Rules to Protect Themselves, Others

 


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BLOCK'S BILL TO RESTORE SPECIAL EDUCATION FUNDS NOW ON GOVERNOR'S DESK

August 23, 2010 (Sacramention)--Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) announced today that AB 184 has cleared the Legislature and is now awaiting action by the Governor. The bill prevents the California Department of Education from requiring school districts to repay the state for Special Disabilities Adjustment funding that they received in the last fiscal year and already used to teach special-needs students in their classrooms.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: THE CRISIS IN GAZA

 

By Mitchell Dubick

 

August 24, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- There is suffering among the people in Gaza. How that suffering compares to the misery of other groups around the world, who is causing this suffering, and what should be done to alleviate it are all subjects of much debate. However, it is the duty of caring and responsible people on all sides to address these issues.


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