December 19, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) --ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

•  
• Arts and culture contribute more to U.S. economy than tourism (Marketplace.org)
• Veterans fight federal budget provision (WAVY TV)
• Judge rules polygamy protected under freedom of religion (ABC)
• US judge rules NSA data sweep an 'indiscriminate and arbitrary invasion' (CS Monitor)
• Navy expands sonar testing despite troubling signs (KPBS)
• Michigan passes ‘rape insurance’ bill (MSNBC)
• Obama “keep your plan” promise labeled lie of the year by Politifact (CBS)

WORLD

• China makes history with Jade Rabbit moon rover landing (Yahoo News)
• North Korea Kim’s uncle executed (The Nation)
• What does 74% youth unemployment feel like? (APM Marketplace)
• Amazing photos capture snow covering Middle East (UT San Diego)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click "read more" and scroll down.

December 18, 2013 (San Diego) – Dear EarthTalk: Is there a way to get local communities involved in cleaning up waterways, like rivers, lakes, streams and creeks?

-- Rebecca, via e-mail

Indeed, many of our local waterways have seen better days, thanks to decades of pollution. And cleaning them up and preventing further damage can be challenging, since much of the contamination has accumulated over time and results from what is known as “non-point source” pollution, which accounts for as much as 60 percent of the water pollution in the U.S.

By Marsha Kay Seff

December 18, 2013 (San Diego) – As an adult child of octogenarian parents, I wore a virtual millinery shop full of hats.  It often felt as if I needed more heads.  I know I needed more arms and legs – and much more time.

One of my most-frayed chapeaus was my thinking cap, for I was most certainly the daughter of invention.

A big part of my role as the designated caregiver was inventing gizmos that would make my parents' lives more manageable and comfortable.

December 17, 2013 (San Diego) – As part of its ongoing search, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is asking for the public’s help to locate Arielle Randall who vanished from Grand Prairie, Texas. Arielle may be in the company an unknown male, and may be in the Chula Vista area. Arielle, 16, was last seen on Nov. 13, 2013 leaving her home. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Arielle is Black and Hispanic, and has brown hair and eyes. She is 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds. Her ears are pierced. 

The public is urged to call 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678) with any information concerning the disappearance or current whereabouts of Arielle. 

By David Dickens

December 18, 2013 (Spring Valley) — Adair Barraza, Allan Barraza, Jake Evans, Jacob Hoffman, Sebastian Dickens, Randall Raush, Gabriel Meyer, Sean McDarby, Guillermo Dominguez and Anthony Poliza provided  a magical season that ended Saturday, December 15 based on simple mathematics – not scoring enough points.

 Apparently, according to American Youth Soccer Organization rules, “If a team in the playoffs has not put up enough points, their season is over.”  This came as a shock after the “North Pole” team put on one of its best performances of the year against the “Outlaws” of La Mesa region.

Part II in our "Wind Fire" series

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2013 (Campo) – Yesterday’s explosion and brush fire sparked by a Gamesa wind turbine owned by Infigen at the Kumeyaay Wind facility in Campo, California has ignited new questions about the safety of wind turbines in this fire-prone region, where several of the worst wildfires in California history have previously scorched hundreds of thousands of acres.

In June, Infigen settled a lawsuit with Gamesa stemming from an earlier catastrophe at the same wind facility in 2009, when an explosive blast resulted in replacement of all 75 wind turbines, as ECM reported in an exclusive report.  But now Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale reveals, “The 75 turbine blades from the 2009 catastrophic failure that you covered are still laying on the ground at the wind farm and are highly flammable.”

December 17, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Thieves are easily tempted when people leave bags of gifts in plain sight in their vehicles or display presents under a tree in a front window. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is reminding everyone to be aware of criminals looking for easy targets during the holiday season.

December 17, 2013 (Ramona) – Sheriff’s detectives from the Ramona substation yesterday announced arrests of suspects in a burglary ring that used rental vehicles to burglarize equipment rental and maintenance yards, including One Stop Equipment in Ramona last month.  The ring is believed to be responsible for about 20 burglaries in the past year, mostly in San Diego, said Sergeant B. Hout.

By Miriam Raftery and Nadin Abbott

Photos by Jim Pelley, Michael Kurtz, Jim Colby, J. Rummler

December 16, 2013 (Campo) – A wind turbine on a ridge overlooking the Golden Acorn Casino exploded today, sparking several spot fires in surrounding brush that collectively charred about a half an acre.

David Elliott, a Manzanita tribal member, lives about  quarter of a mile from the wind facility on the neighboring Campo reservation. At first, he mistook the fire sounds for gusty wind. Then he walked outside and saw the turbine burning.  “The turbine did start several spot fires,” he said.  “If the wind had been coming from the northwest or west then my home, one of the closets homes to the turbines, would have definitely been in danger because we have brush on this side of the turbines and we would have had a major fire.”  Hear audio of his interview with ECM: http://kiwi6.com/file/bk3qywd787

December 15, 2013 (San Diego) – Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-San Diego) introduced legislation to expand access to Pre-K education.  The EARLY Act (Expanded Access to Real Learning for our Young Act) would establish a competitive grant program where states could receive federal funding to make Pre-K education available to families with a combined income of up to 400% of the federal poverty line.

“The argument for universal Pre-K is not just a lofty moral imperative – it’s also good science and economics,” said Davis, a senior member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “Kids who receive high-quality early education are more likely to achieve success in both school and life. The research shows they’re more likely to graduate high school, earn higher pay, and live more productive lives.”

December 14, 2013 (La Mesa)-- It's time for East County Magazine's annual "Feasting & Merrymaking" party on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 3-7 p.m. in La Mesa!  To comply with county event requirements, this year's party is a private event open only to our subscribers. Fortunately, subscriptions are free!  Sign up at the top right side of the homepage to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter, then email editor@eastcountymagazine.org for details and directions.

This year's event features great food including prime rib and chicken from Pinnacle Peak, salads and sliders from bridges, wines from San Pasqual Winery and Maness Vineyards,  lots of great prizes and surprises!  We also have VIP guests including Cogresswoman Susan Davis and representatives from the cities of La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee and El Cajon.  We hope to see you all there!

"There is no good faith, no no intentions..." -- Priscilla Schreiber, Board Member, who asserts that the GUHSD response "in no way satisifies what, I believe, the Grand Jury recommended."

"...The statement to the Grand Jury is a complete fabrication. The facts demonstrate there is no “intent” to build the Alpine high school ..." -- Sal Casamassimo, Chair, Alpine High School Citizens Committee

By Miriam Raftery

December 14, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Back in May, the San Diego Grand Jury issued a report urging the Grossmont Union High School District to "declare unconditionally, by December 31, 2013, if they are or are not going to build the 12th high school using funds from Propositions H and U.”    The report, titled “Fool Me Once, Fool Me Twice,” criticized the district Board for failing to build the school despite voters twice approving bond measures to fund the new school in Alpine, as ECM previously reported. The Grand Jury concluded, “Residents of the GUHSD and the greater Alpine area deserve clarity from the School Board regarding the proposed 12th high school."

Yesterday the Board issued the following brief media statement, which falls far short of the unconditional statement or clarity to district residents that the Grand Jury sought:

By Miriam Raftery and Janis Mork

December 13, 2013 (El Cajon) –El Cajon’s City Council voted on Tuesday to adopt “Valley of Opportunity" as the new city motto.  In addition, Council voted unanimously to name Councilmember Gary Kendrick as Mayor Pro Tem, second in command after newly appointed Mayor Bill Wells.

As for the new motto and logo reflecting that motto, Deputy City Manager/Finance Nancy Palm explained the idea began before the centennial. “We had a lot of community involvement. It has proven to be the valley of opportunity for many years.”

Photo:  Ben Kalasho, Instar Bales, Humbert Cabrera, and Vickie Butcher are among 27 candidates vying for appointment to the El Cajon City Council.

By Miriam Raftery

December 12, 2013 (El Cajon) – Twenty-seven El Cajon residents have applied to fill an open seat on the El Cajon City Council.  This past Tuesday night, Council members interviewed half of the applicants during the Council meeting.  The rest will be interviewed next Tuesday at 6 p.m.

The candidates came from all walks of life – reflecting diverse races, ethnic backgrounds, religions, political parties and economic status.

December 12, 2013 (San Diego)--A unique gift challenges the SDSU Community to match funds to support the Aztec Basketball Performance Center.

On the heels of the public announcement of the Aztec Basketball Performance Center plans and a $1 million lead gift from Jeff Jacobs, San Diego State announces a $1 million challenge gift from the Walter J. and Betty C. Zable Foundation.