Image left: Bighorn Sheep at Ocotillo - Robert Baran photo, East County Magazine

By   Roy L. Hales at San Diego Loves Green, originally posted April 21, 2013

April 23, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The California Association of Environmental Professionals has awarded the Ocotillo Wind project with its highest award for Outstanding Environmental Analysis and Documentation at a joint conference of AEP and the National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP). The Builder, Pattern Energy, claims,  “The Ocotillo Wind project will provide enough clean and renewable energy to power nearly 125,000 homes in Southern California each year.”

Speaking as a non-scientist, the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the name Ocotillo is a stream of videos (click on this link to go to the Save Ocotillo index page) that stretches beyond the four months this project has been online and continues to document the scarcity of wind. Though not a “scientific study,” they never-the-less constitute a visual chronology that includes a great many details that would not otherwise be available to the public. One has to merely scan the titles to realize something is very wrong:

“Your source for Trusts, Wills, Probate, Family Law & more”

By Stephen C. Ross, Esq.

April 23, 2013 (San Diego County) – A power of attorney (POA) is a written document wherein a person (the principal) appoints another person (the agent) to transact business and manage property on behalf of the principal. A POA has many purposes in estate planning, including: allowing the agent to transfer property into a revocable trust that is the principal’s primary estate planning tool; facilitating gifts to take advantage of the federal annual gift tax exclusion; and, allowing the agent to operate the principal’s business that is not included in a trust.

April 23, 2013 (Alpine) – The public is invited to sample wines from California and the world, as well as enjoy tastings from restaurants throughout the County at Vintage Alpine on Sunday, May 5 from 1-4 p.m.  The event will be held at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs.  Guests can also stroll through the gardens, listen to music and bid on silent auction items.  

The event is sponsored by the Alpine Kiwanis Club. Proceeds benefit Kiwanis projects including Bike Rewards for perfect attendance in elementary schools, equipment for youth sports, local scout troops, plus East County Special Olympics Track and Field.

April 22, 2013 (Lakeside)--The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for El Monte County Park located at 15805 El Monte Road, Lakeside, CA 92040 effective immediately.  The water system serves a ranger residence, park office and public restrooms.

The drinking water system has tested present for E.Coli and total coliform bacteria.  The presence of E.Coli bacteria indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal wastes.  Health effects can include diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches or other symptoms.  E.Coli may pose a special health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. 

April 21, 2013 (Santee) – What began eight years ago as Santee’s homegrown observance of Arbor Day and Earth Day has blossomed into an all-day extravaganza named SanTree Fest.

”We named it SanTree Fest because it began as a simple gathering of local families, scout troops and young people to green up our parks with trees,” said Recreation Coordinator Bree Stanley. “While the focus is still on the environment and sustainability, we’ve made it more fun for the entire family.”

This year’s daylong festival will feature more booths, more free activities for children, and more entertainment.

April 18, 2013 (El Cajon) – The Cajon Classic Cruise series starts early this year, with opening night April 24.  The cruise nights will continue each Wednesday through September 25, featuring   more than 200 specialty, classic and unique cars  gathering at Main and Magnolia in Downtown El Cajon.

The Cajon Classic Cruise will be held from 5-8 p.m. and will feature a weekly theme. Visitors can view the best theme cars, enjoy dinner and drink specials from local restaurants, play in bounce houses for the kids, and enjoy street vendors peddling delights including kettle corn and hot dogs.

By Miriam Raftery

April 21, 2013 (San Diego) – “Another scourge is beginning in California,” environmental activist Peg Mitchell told audience members at a forum on environmental justice issues hosted by Activist San Diego on April 15.  That “scourge”  is fracking – and in California, it’s all about extracting oil, not natural gas. 

To frack for oil requires millions of gallons of water –a precious commodity in Cailfornia.  It also means injecting toxic chemicals that corporations are not required to disclose due to the “Halliburton Law” pushed through by former Vice President Dick Cheney. 

The public doesn’t have a right to know where fracking is occurring or where its waste products will be dumped—even though fracking can cause earthquakes, disturb radioactive substances in the earth, reinject contaminated water into wells, and potentially pollute thousands of miles of coastline.

So why the push to frack for oil in California?

April 21, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego State University (SDSU) police have issued an alert to warn students of a man who grabbed a woman, 20, who was walking in the south alley of 5600 Montezuma Road just off campus this morning at 3 a.m.  The suspect is described as an Asian male, tall with spiked hair,  in  his mid-20s, wearing black-framed glasses, a white shirt and light jeans.  He fled in a black four-door BMW toward Campanile Drive.

According to police, the suspect  walked up to the victim, grabbed her arm and leg and attempted to pull her. She suffered no injuries and no weapon was used in the incident.

Exclusive to ECM: How decision could impact East County's transportation and energy production

By Miriam Raftery

April 20, 2013 (San Diego) – On the eve of Earth Day events, the Sierra Club has won a critical lawsuit challenging the County of San Diego’s Climate Action Plan (CAP).  On April 19, Superior Court Judge Timothy Taylor issued his final ruling agreeing with the Sierra Club that the County’s Climate Action Plan “contains no enforcement mechanism for reducing GHG [greenhouse gas] emissions.”

The ruling could have significant consequences for East County, where numerous large wind and solar projects have been pushed through under the mantra of addressing climate change. 

On one hand, the decision could bolster arguments of some Supervisors who view large energy projects as the fastest or easiest way to meet goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

On the other hand, the ruling also forces the County to conduct an Environmental Impact Report - opening up the process for public comment. That could include discussion of how much fossil fuel it takes to manufacture, build and operate industrial-scale wind and solar projects--and whether there are better alternatives, such as solar on roofs and parking lots in urban areas.

By Colin Martodam, regional manager of ARS

April 20, 2013 (San Diego) – In honor of this year’s Earth Day on April 22, take action to make your home a hub of energy-efficient practices. “Going green” is no longer just the catch phrase of environmental advocates, celebrities and politicians.  Now, you and your neighbors are empowered to make environmentally friendly changes to your home to address the growing concerns of a shaky economy, increasing energy costs, and our ever-dwindling natural resources.

April 20, 2013 (San Diego’s East County ) – Senator Joel Anderson has called for a change in leadership at Caltrans, citing an independent state auditor’s report that suggests a “pattern of abuse, theft and mismanagement” under the leadership of Acting Director Malcolm Dougherty.

The study, the latest in a string of critical reports on Caltrans, found that employees falsified safety reports on bridges, jeopardizing lives, as well as stealing property.  Salaries on Dougherty’s watch also rose to over $100,000 for the department’s 20,000 employees while road conditions deteriorated, Anderson charged, contending that the agency has become a “laughingstock.”

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2013 (San Diego) – A jury today has acquitted U.S. Border Patrol agent Luis Fonseca of using unreasonable force.  Fonseca was shown on Border Patrol video strangling a migrant to unconsciousness while the undocumented migrant,  Adolfo Cesar Escobar, tood with his hands against a wall waiting to be fingerprinted at the Imperial Beach Border Patrol station. Jurors found the video evidence inconclusive.

“This sends the wrong message to Border Patrol and fuels a culture of impunity in the agency,” said Andrea Guerrero, Executive Director of Alliance San Diego in a statement released today.  The rights activist added, “It should never be acceptable to strangle someone who poses no threat, then kick him while he is down and walk away as if no harm had been done.”

By Caprice Harrison

April 19, 2013 (El Cajon) – The German American Societies of San Diego, in friendship with the countries of: Poland, Japan, Italy, Greece, Holland and Germany are collaborating to bring the community a special evening of international food and entertainment.

This Saturday, April 20, beginning at 6:00 p.m., the public can experience a night of folk dance performances, dance to the music of the Red Baron Band and enjoy a delicious international dinner buffet. Guests can also delight in watching the “Kindertanzgruppe,” children’s dance group at 7:30 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

April 19, 2013 (El Cajon) – On Tuesday, April 23, the El Cajon City Council will weigh creating an ad hoc committee to explore discussions with the Grossmont Union High School District Board on a potential partnership to revive the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).  The proposal could also include opening a new multi-use facility adjacent to the theater, in addition to restoring and reopening the theater itself.

"It's potentially beneficial (for the district), a great use for the East County region," City Manager Doug Williford (photo, left) said, the Union-Tribune reported. "However even without (the district as a partner), we're going to re-open it. There are only three or four venues like it - Golden Hall in downtown San Diego, Escondido and Poway. These are rare facilities. Arts and events centers are important components to a community. And this goes well beyond the city's boundaries."

By Miriam Raftery

After high winds on April 8 ripped their trailer home off its foundation west of Jacumba in Bankhead Springs, Dewey St. Julien and Virginia Hogan found themselves homeless. They lived in their truck and later, a motel with help from Red Cross. Now they are on a list hoping to receive a home from Habitat for Humanity. 

“They asked how they could repay what blessings have come their way,” said Lorrie Ostrander, who has been assisting the young coupe.  So tonight, April 18, Julien and Hogan have organized a spaghetti dinner to benefit Julie Atherton, a Mountain Empire Health employee with breast cancer.

The dinner will be held at the Mountain Empire Community Center, 976 Sheridan Road in Campo.  Suggested donation is $5 for adults and $3 for children. A silent auction will also be held.