By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2013 (Ocotillo Wells)-- Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) has sent  a letter to the State Parks Department encouraging open riding in Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) in response to legal action filed by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Desert Protective Council (DPC).  Plaintiffs contend that riding off trails has caused extensive environmental damage in the park, which has over 1,200 historic and archaeological sites, as ECM previously reported.

“Many of my constituents enjoy recreating in the Ocotillo Wells SVRA, which is why this lawsuit is very troubling," said Jones.  "This area has been used for OHV recreation for over 50 years and has always been designated as an open riding area, meaning that users in the park are not required to stay on designated trails."

June 18, 2013 (San Diego)--Mayor Bob Filner appointed Theresa Quiroz and Anthony Wagner, two long-time neighborhood champions, to the City’s Planning Commission last week.

“I want to thank Theresa and Anthony for their commitment to our community and believe they will provide a strong voice for our neighborhoods in this new role” Mayor Filner said. “Their experience in community groups, knowledge of land use issues, and belief in healthy and vibrant neighborhoods will make them great additions to the Planning Commission.”

The appointments were approved unanimously by the San Diego City Council.

June 17, 2013 (San Diego)-- San Diegans will decide which local environmental nonprofit organization is most deserving of the ECO Ambassadors People’s Choice Award and a grand prize of $25,000 from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). The eight local organizations that are finalists were announced at a breakfast ceremony on May 28.  They were selected to participate because their programs exemplify environmental stewardship, innovation and responsibility.

By Brian Lafferty

June 14, 2013 (San Diego) – The original Superman was entertaining in the moment, but terribly flawed upon further reflection, especially the ending.  As much fun as I had watching it, the ending was one giant mass of plot holes.  I remember liking the somewhat turgid Superman Returns when I saw it in theaters seven years ago.  Today I can’t remember a single thing about it.  Other than that, I had limited exposure to the silly Superman II. 

The troubling history of  our U.S. shadow factory -- and how we have lost rights in the name of security                                           

By Nadin Abbott

June 13, 2013 (San Diego) Edward Snowden shook the power elites in Washington D.C. with his revelations that the National Security Agency (NSA) is spying on Americans. He released documents such as the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISA) order to the British newspaper, The Guardian, sending high-level U.S. government officials demanding his prosecution.

Campo Creek Ranch offers local delivery of all-natural grass-fed beef

By Miram Raftery

June 13, 2013(Campo)—Cattle come running when rancher John Clark arrives.  It looks like a scene out of a  California “happy cows” commercial.  View video. 

These beef cattle are raised in open pastures, not crowded feed lots. They graze in green pastures at Campo Creek Ranch in San Diego’s East County.  They receive no hormones and their diet is all natural – native grass or in some cases, barley. 

“They’re all much healthier to eat,” says Clark, adding that grass-fed cattle re higher in omega-3 fatty acids.  The ranch also offers all-natural chickens, pigs and rabbits – with meat delivered straight to consumers.

June 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – On June 7, 2013 La Mesa Police Detective Dale Perry indentified the robbery suspect from the Sierra Market (3800 Massachusetts Avenue) robbery that occurred on January 28, 2013. In the Sierra Market robbery, the clerk got into an altercation with the suspect and was injured.

On June 7, 2013 at approximately 10:00 am, La Mesa Police detectives arrested 43 year-old Johnny McGee of San Diego and 38 year-old Gina E. Ludwig of San Diego for the robbery. 

By Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss, E - The Environmental Magazine

June 10, 2013 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: I'm concerned about toxic ingredients in my cleaning supplies, especially now that I have young children. Where can I find safer alternatives?             -- Betsy E., Hartford, CT

It is true that many household cleaners contain potentially toxic substances, so parents especially should make an effort to keep them out of the reach of children or, better yet, replace them with safer alternatives.

By Nadin Abbott

June 12, 2013 (Chula Vista)—House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Congresswoman Susan Davis (D-53) came to Southwestern College to participate in a forum celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Equal Pay Act on June 10.

President John F. Kennedy signed the Equal Pay Act in 1963. It was sponsored by one of the first women elected to the House, Patsy Mink from Hawaii. Mink also sponsored the legislation behind Title VIX.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos, Tom Abbott, Video Nadin Abbott

View video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i46r-s8qyAQ&feature=youtu.be

June 12, 2013 (San Diego)— Here's some entertainment that's strictly for the birds. Nancy and Gil Riegler, owners of the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, are holding turkey races at the San Diego County Fair at Del Mar--as well as  an exotic bird show.

So how do they get the turkeys to race?

June 12, 2013 (San Diego's East County) – Sunbelt Publications' authors of books on East County’s history and cultural heritage will join East County Magazine’s “Celebrate Our Roots” event on Wednesday,  June 19 at Heritage of the Americas Museum from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The authors will speak and autograph their books. Sunbelt has also donated books as prizes for this event, which celebrates our region’s  cultural and agricultural roots.  For tickets, call (619)698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  The event benefits East County Magazine’s nonprofit media outlet and is cosponsored by Sullivan Solar.

June 12, 2013 (Santee) – Sharp Healthcare will be providing free health screenings in East County. These screenings could help prevent heart problems, diabetes and other risk factors.  The screenings will only take about 15 minutes and are offered on eight different dates this summer.

The screenings will measure your cholesterol, blood sugar, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Sharp Healthcare will also provide personalized strategies to improve your overall health and well-being. No appointment is needed. All adults over the age of 18 are welcome to participate.

June 12, 2013 (San Diego) – Local home sales were strong in May and median prices continued to rise steadily, according to the latest housing statistics from the Greater San Diego Association of REALTORS® (SDAR).

Detached home sales increased 15 percent in May compared to April, and about 10 percent from last year. Properties also continued to be scooped up fast, with an average of only 54 days on the market. The median price of detached homes increased to $466,000 in May. That’s up 4 percent from the previous month, and 22 percent from May of 2012. The median price of attached properties was up nearly 6 percent from April, and 33 percent from a year ago. Condos and townhomes surpassed the $300,000 median price, which, according to SDAR’s statistics, hasn’t been topped since March 2008.

June 12, 2013 (La Mesa)- On Saturday, June 15,  the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce and the Grossmont Healthcare District will again team up to produce Summer Healthcare Saturday, a one day health exposition that will be held at Grossmont Center in La Mesa.

The event will feature free demonstrations, free health information and screenings. Up to 75 booths are expected to be present and lining up throughout the mall.

Shanieka Thomas is the fifth individual national champion in the program's history

By Go Aztecs

June 12, 2013 (San Diego)--San Diego State junior Shanieka Thomas won the national title in the triple jump to lead the 23rd-ranked Aztecs at the NCAA Outdoor Track & Field Championships Friday in Eugene, Oregon. She became the fifth individual national champion in program history and second straight, joining Whitney Ashley, who won the discus throw at the 2012 championship meet.

Thomas, who finished runner-up in the event at both the 2013 indoor meet and 2012 outdoor meet, beat the other 23 entrants with a best of 46 feet, 4 ¾ inches (14.14 meters).