September 30, 2013 (El Cajon) –  Marsha Edwards, a 22-year veteran in her field, has started her new post as vice chancellor for human resources for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Edwards, who was born in Oregon and spent much of her life there, said she was intrigued by the job posting for the top human resources job at the East County college district.

 “When I looked into the position, it seemed like a good fit with my background and experience and would allow me the opportunity to work with two great colleges in a great climate – decision made!” she said.

By Janis Mork



September 30, 2013 (City Heights) - On the weekend of the 21st, some 30 would-be urban farmers flocked to hear Farmer Bill Tall from City Heights Farmers Nursery offer advice on how to raise chickens.  San Diego, along with several other jurisdictions locally, recently legalized backyard ownership of hens – though not roosters.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Tall led off with tips on keeping eggs.

“You don’t have to refrigerate them as long as you don’t wash them,” he said.  He advised storing washed eggs in a separate container from foods.

When a woman wanted to know why stores refrigerate the eggs, Tall answered, “Because they wash them,” then added that eggs do last longer in the refrigerator.

September 29, 2013 (Warner Springs) – Wine lovers are invited to savor wines from five wineries of the “North Mountain Wine Trail” area on Saturday, November 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event will be held at all five wineries and will pair wines with a full menu of gourmet foods.  Live music will also be provided at each site.

Participating wineries are La Serenissima, Orrin, Shadow Mountain, Hawk Watch, and Sierra Roble. The wineries are all within two miles of each other.

Tickets cost $45 and must be purchased in advance.  Last year’s event sold out early.  To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/480324.

From P.A.C.E. to pine cones --Lemon Grove Council and Lakeside Community Planning Group agenda items

Members also vote to shut down red light cameras

By Janis Mork

September 29, 2013 (El Cajon) - At Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, Council unanimously voted to not set a fee on sale of alcohol. The councilmembers also voted 4-1 to permanently remove  the red light cameras, with Mayor Mark Lewis voting against the measure.

First was a resolution on the annual alcohol sales regulatory fee under the new Deemed Approved Alcohol ordinance, which restricts sale of single-serve alcohol containers and cracks down on stores selling to minors or people with a series of alcohol-related arrests.

It’s important we have a zero fee,” said Councilman Gary Kendrick. ”Then it has no effect on businesses that operate legally.”

By Miriam Raftery

September 29, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--Following our recent  special report, we’ve received some good news for East County veterans.   Our  investigation into County Veterans’ Services found that rural veterans were not getting their fair share of services. 

After our story aired on KNSJ radio last week, Supervisor Jacob’s office contacted us.   A staffer informed us that Supervisor Jacob held a meeting last week with County Veterans Service and asked for more equitable staffing.  The staffer informed East County Magazine that Supervisor Jacob plans to introduce a measure before the Supervisors that would bring  County Veterans Service representatives to County libraries throughout our region – including the most rural areas.

Public comments accepted between Oct. 8-18 and at hearing Nov. 15 in San Diego

September 27, 2013 (Campo) –  The Department of State Hospitals is proposing to release  a violent sexual predator, Douglas Badger, 70, from a state mental hospital and placing him at 30033 Hartfell Road in Campo.  Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital. 

“Given his violent history as a serial sexual predator, Douglas Badger forfeited his freedom long ago and should be locked up for good,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob stated in a media release. “It’s especially outrageous that this vile man would be housed at a location in Campo that is only four miles from two schools and a mile from a park where children gather and play.”

September 27, 2013 (San Diego) – A candlelight vigil and fundraiser to help victims of the terrorist attack on a shopping mall in Nairobi, Kenya will be held tonight at 8 p.m. at Flavors of East Africa, a Kenyan restaurant at 2322 El Cajon Blvd. , San Diego 92104.   Ten percent of all proceeds from food sold tonight will be donated to the Kenyan Red Cross.

September 27, 2013 (San Diego) – James Hubbell’s Ilan-Lael Foundation has reached its pearl anniversary and will celebrate 30 years on Saturday, Sept. 28 at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Hillcrest – the site of Hubbell’s first important volunteer-assisted major outdoor sculpture installation – from 5-9 p.m. The celebration will feature food, wine, a silent auction, speakers and dance, all in revelry for famed Santa Ysabel architect Hubbell’s prolific vision and impact on worldwide culture and art.

September 27, 2013 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa will host its fourth annual Senior Expo on Thursday, October 10, 2013.  With a wide variety of speakers and exhibitors, Expo will offer free “one-stop shopping” for all adults facing life changes that may affect their independence, or those who would like great tips on safety and security. The Expo will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942 from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and is supported by funding from the San Diego Association of Governments.

Some media figures applaud the criminalization of investigative reporting.

A media advisory from Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR)

http://fair.org/take-action/media-advisories/the-accelerating-assault-on...

September 27, 2013 (San Diego) – U.S. soldier Chelsea (formerly Bradley) Manning's 35-year sentence represents the harshest punishment issued to date for providing media with evidence of government wrongdoing (Forbes, 8/21/13). She is the first whistleblower to be convicted under the Espionage Act, ratifying the new reality that those who give the press information that the government wants to keep secret will henceforth be treated as spies.

Update September 27, 2013:  Supervisor Jacob's office has contacted us to advise that she met with County Veterans Services this week to request more equitable staffing. Her staffer advised that Jacob plans to introduce a measure asking Supervisors to approve sending veterans' service representatives to county libraries throughout our region. This is a direct result of our investigative report.

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – When Claudia Millerbragg, whose brother was killed in Viet Nam, decided to volunteer to help local veterans, she was shocked to discover that County Veterans Services sends representatives to a dozen different communities – but none to rural East County. 

At a Homes for Our Troops event in March honoring combat vets who each lost both legs and now live in a rural area in El Cajon, Supervisor Dianne Jacob said that San Diego has the largest military installation in the world. 

“In East County we have the highest concentration of military and veterans in San Diego County,” she added.

If East County has the most veterans, why does our region have the fewest services for them -- and no services at all in the poorest rural areas with no public transportation?

By Miriam Raftery

September 26, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Arizona officials are reporting the first two cases in the United States of addicts using Krokodil, a drug that rots the skin from the inside out  after first turning skin green and scaly.  It can cause gangrene and amputation of limbs.  A Time investigation of the drug overseas found the average user is dead within 2 or 3 years after first injecting the deadly mixture.

 Krokodil , or Desomorphone, is an opiate. It is cheaper and far more potent than heroin.  It’s been called the world’s most horrifying drug, also known as the zombie apocalypse drug. Illicit drug dealers make it by combining codeine with iodine, gasoline, paint thinner, hydrochloric acid, lighter fluid and red phosphorous which addicts inject.  The drug ruptures blood vessels, causing  flesh to rot and even exposing bone.

September 26, 2013 (San Diego ) – JVD Golf and Promotions in Rancho San Diego is teaming up with the Strong Will Foundation to host the annual STRONG Will Foundation Golf Tournament, complete with helicopter ball drop contest and a chance to win $2,500—even for non-golfers.

The event will be held Friday, November 1 at The Crossings Carlsbad Golf Course, and benefits patients with traumatic brain injuries.  The tournament is named after Will Barton, who was shot three times at close range while walking home from work at Barrio Star.  With a bullet lodged in his brain, his chance of survival was less than one percent.

September 26, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news each week that could impact your health and our future.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS

• Wildfire Gauge Could Save Future Homes From Fire (KPBS)
• Teleportation with engineered quantum systems (phys.org)
• German group claims to have hacked Apple iPhone fingerprint scanner (Reuters)
• Even As MERS Epidemic Grows, The Source Eludes Scientists (NPR)
• Boston Hospitals Share Lessons From Marathon Bombing (NPR)

Click “read more” and scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.