May 18, 2010 (San Diego) – Pazzaz, a nonprofit organization focused on helping under-achieving students attain academic success, will host two events to benefit disadvantaged students in the southeast San Diego region. On May 22, a pancake breakfast will raise funds for college scholarships. Then on June 26, the 12th annual Salute to Rising Stars Achievement Celebration will provide hope and determination to students to succeed in school and life.

May 18, 2010 (La Mesa) – Enjoy Art in the Garden this Friday from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at Gio Bistro Wine Bar. O’Dunn Fine Art and Bella Mesa Galleries will showcase artwork for sale, offering special pricing for art garden visitors. Also enjoy free wine-tasting, appetizers, and visiting with local artists and gallery owners.

May 18, 2010 (Poway) – By a unanimous 5-0 decision, Poway Unified School District’s board last night voted to eliminate all school busses for the 2010-2011 school year, with the exception of special education transportation. The District, which faces a $25 million budget gap, estimates the move will save $750,000.

The decision raises serious concerns about student safety, coming on the heels of the murders of Poway High School student Chelsea King and Amber Dubois, who was kidnapped while walking to school in Escondido.

May 18, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – An estimated 800 to 900 teachers and supporters demonstrated in front of the Grossmont Union High School District board meeting on May 13th to protest proposed cuts in salary and health benefits.

May 17, 2010 (Ramona) – James Leo Flaherty III has been arrested for following and harassing a 17-year-old girl walking in the 300 block of 16th Street in Ramona. The victim reports that Flaherty drove past her, staring, on Tuesday May 11 and reportedly said, “I am not going to leave you alone.”

The victim told authorities that Flaherty had previously followed her and her sister within the past year, placing a pornographic magazine in front of them in the same area.

By Richard Darvas
 

May 17, 2010 (Dehesa)--On a hilly downgrade that spills into Dehesa Valley, Vietnam veteran Joseph Diliberti built an earthen sanctuary on 3.7 acres. Over 31 years--shaped by ideals of Henry David Thoreau’s transcendentalism and principles of Jamaica’s Rastafarianism--the individualist hand-crafted mud houses, a lofty tree house and an Asiatic pagoda. But an unresolved weed abatement dating back to 2004 leaves Diliberti in danger of losing his land to a public auction on March 18, 2011. Compounded by penalties and interest levied by the County tax collector, a weed-cutting service billed at $25,500 has mushroomed to a $63,993 tab. On behalf of San Diego Rural Fire Protection District (RFD), Fire Prevention Services (FPS) cleared vegetation on the site for three days in 2004. FPS’ actions as a private contractor reflected new defensible-space regulations enacted after the 2003 Cedar Fire.
 

Since East County Magazine ran an investigative feature on Diliberti’s plight on May 3, 2010, new developments have emerged—including a grassroots effort to help Diliberti keep his land, complete with fundraising, a Facebook page, and a documentary filmmaker.

Featuring Spanish Language Garden Tours, Ms. Smarty Plants™ Explores Plant Adaptations!, Straw Bale Construction Workshop, Introduction to Greywater Systems, Summer Extended Hours and Garden Discovery Camp!

May 17, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) —The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to enjoy its 2010 spring and summer events. Classes  help residents save water and money by focusing on water smart landscaping techniques and plants. Classes are taught by experts and topics include lawn removal, water-smart landscape design, backyard composting, irrigation design and gardening for children. Pre-registration is required for all classes. To enroll call 619-660-0614 x 10. For details, scroll down.

May 18, 2010 (Alpine) -- A committee appointed by the Grossmont Union High School District to come up with naming suggestions for the district's 12th high school will meet Wednesday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd.  

The District has failed to respond to East County Magazine's written request last week for at least 24 hours notification of the naming committee meeting, as is required by law under the Ralph M. Brown Act.  The GUHSD has drawn criticism from the Union-Tribune for loading up the naming committee with a majority of Republican politicians and party operatives in an apparent effort to push through a proposed Ronald Reagan High School name.

May 16, 2010 (Barrett Lake) -- Highway 94 is closed at Barrett Lake due to a collision between a car and a motorcycle, CHP reports.

Two passengers are injured, including one with a partial leg amputation, according to Incident Page Network. No further details are yet available.

May 16, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – U.S. Congressman Bob Filner has announced that San Diego and Imperial Counties will get more than $8.7 million for security preparedness. In San Diego, funds include protection of ports and public transit.

“It takes constant vigilance to be prepared and keep our country safe,” said Filner. “This money will go to keeping our critical infrastructure safe from terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies.”

May 18, 2010 (Campo) – At least ten children have been injured in a collision this morning between a school bus and a light pole in the parking lot at Golden Acorn Casino on the Campo Indian reservation. Patients with injuries ranging from mild to moderate have been transported to Grossmont and Alvarado hospitals.

Update May 20: Supervisors approved the Fuerte Ranch Estates project.
 

May 14, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – County Supervisors will vote Wednesday on whether or not to approve Reynolds Communities proposed Fuerte Ranch Estates development on the site of a former chicken ranch. Reynolds has scaled back initial plans from 76 to 36 homes on the 27-acre parcel adjacent to Damon Lane County Park at Fuerte Drive and Damon Lane.

The plan has ruffled feathers among many area residents, also raising hackles of East County planners.

Nothing but the truth!

By Will Power

May 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- In the alphabet soup that makes up the Federal Government, few people have ever heard of the Minerals Management Service. But the MMS is well known to oil company executives, because for years it has operated as a sleeping watchdog while billions of dollars in taxpayer's money was pumped out the back door.

May 14, 2010  3:55 p.m. (Dulzura) -- A 250-acre fire is burning in Mexico, approximately one and a half miles south of the border near Dulzura.  The blaze currently poses no threat to the U.S., according to Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Nick Schuler.