By Daniel J. Smiechowski

December 3, 2012 (San Diego)--Locally in San Diego, as well as nationally, the Republican Party is on its way to the Land of Oz. We're not in Kansas anymore, says Dorothy to Toto. Federalists and Whigs and Republicans, oh my! Yes Wizard, demographics do count and America's GOP better not hide behind the curtain.

December 3, 2012 (San Diego) – IRC’s Microenterprise Program hosts its annual International Holiday Bazaar at the City Heights Farmers’ Market, 4326 Wightman Street, San Diego on December 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The event features IRC-supported businesses with an array of arts and crafts from all over the world.

December 2, 2012 (Lakeside) – Oma’s Christmas Tree Patch is now open Tuesday – Friday 2-8 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. through December 21.  Children can participate in all activities for $5 per child, which includes a water bottle and candy cane.  Activities include a hayride, hay maze, petting corral and more.

December 2, 2012 (Alpine) -- On Wednesday, November 28, members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 6279 of Alpine worked like elves in the Alpine Food Bank workshop packaging bulk rice and pasta. The girls decorated and packaged over 200 one-pound bags of rice and pasta that will be distributed by the Alpine Food Bank to needy East County families.

Members of Girl Scout Troop 6279 with their Holiday staples packages at the Alpine Food Bank, pictured from left to right, Back Row: Julia Tompkins, Kate Duffy, Claire Doucet . Front Row: Gracie Wyse, Danika Dabbs, Carlita Coleman, Brinleigh Aland and Kenzie Wray. Not pictured: Rori McCarthy, Karlee Dillon, Carly Hodgson and Carli Sheker. 

by Darleen Hayden

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

December 2, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—A driver observed driving a Chevrolet Tahoe erratically at a high speed on I-8 early this morning refused to pull over, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit. The driver ultimately exited the freeway in the Granite Hills neighobrhood, lost control and rolled over.

“The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, exited the vehicle and the CHP Officers ordered him to stop and raise his hands,” Lt. Glenn Giannantonio with San Diego Sheriff’s homicide detail stated. “The suspect made movements leading the officers to believe he was reaching for a weapon while he was advancing toward them. Fearing the suspect would shoot them, one or more of the officers fired their service weapons at him.”

By Miriam Raftery

December 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Larry Urdahl, a former Alpine resident who served as President of the Grossmont Union High School District Board and as a Trustee from 2004-2008, has died of liver cancer on November 28 at a hospital in Sedona, Arizona.  Urdahl also served as president of the Alpine High School Citizens Committee.  A long-time advocate for public education, he stood up against the GUHSD board majority on behalf of students and parents, fighting for a new Alpine High School in Alpine and against conversion to a charter district.

“Larry and fellow Grossmont Board member, Priscilla Schreiber, tirelessly fought for our high school and we are all indebted to them for getting us so close to that goal,” Sal Casamissima, current president of the AHSCC, wrote in an email today.

Carlsbad plant expected to produce first water in 2016

December 1, 2012 (San Diego) -- , 2012 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Water Authority’s Board of Directors on Thursday voted to approve a landmark agreement to purchase up to 56,000 acre-feet of water annually from what will be the nation’s largest seawater desalination plant in Carlsbad, Calif.  The plant is expected to start producing up to 50 million gallons a day in 2016.

December 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Melody Ponchot has provided us with a dazzling set of photographs that are a study in contrasts, some shot in the snow-covered rural landscape around her home in Boulevard, others taken at Valley of the Moon, a boulder-strewn terrain east of Jacumba.  In both places, there is tranquility in the rugged beauty of nature—from serene winter wonderland to jagged peaks in these wild and special vistas here in our own backyard.

By Miriam Raftery, Editor

December 1, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)--I looked forward to a debut last night of the Far East Project, which promised to showcase photos, art, poetry and essays telling the stories of East County. Sadly, the resulting book, The Far East Project: Everything Just as it is,  fails to live up to its promises to show the "soul" of East County. While some of the writers clearly have talent, the book's slanted approach overall is offensive.

Our assistant editor, Mayan Avitable, a retired educator, was equally aghast when she first saw the book and photos displayed at last night's event. “I’ve lived in East County for over 50 years and this is not the East County that I know,” she stated.

The project was funded by San Diego Foundation, an organization that in the past has done great good, including helping firestorm victims in East County. The project claims to capture the “uneasy beauty” of East County.  But instead, the book published under direction of Justin Hudnall, Editor Mindy Solis and So Say We All fails to live up to its expectations. It highlights overwhelmingly the seamiest elements of our region, reinforcing seemingly every negative stereotype that East County residents have long strived to overcome.

December 1, 2012 (San Diego) – The fall series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase continues in December with concerts taking place throughout the month.  The series offers a variety of some of San Diego’s very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers.  The concerts are all free to the community.

December 1, 2012 (Alpine) – East County Chamber of Commerce’s last First Friday Breakfast of 2012 will be held December 7 at 7:15 a.m. at Viejas Casino, 5000 Willows Rd., Alpine.  The East County Toy & Food Drive will be showcased to highlight how many underserved families benefit each year from the charity and community spirit of East County residents and businesses.

November 29, 2012 (Lakeside) – Lakeside Chamber of Commerce’s 14^th Annual Spirit of Christmas on Maine Ave. is December 1 from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.  The lighting of the community Christmas tree will highlight the event.  Santa will be in attendance for photo opportunities as well.

The event will feature local school performances, kid activities, jumpy jumps, rides and crafters booths.  The event is free to attend.

November 29, 2012 (Escondido) – The 2012 San Pasqual Battle Day will be held on December 2 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. with a flag-raising at 10 a.m.  The Battle re-enactments will be at 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.  Other activities will include craft demonstrations, period music & dancing, children’s activities and a military equipment.  Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

The free event is cosponsored by the California State Parks and the San Pasqual Battlefield Volunteer Association (SPBVA) and is located at the San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, 15808 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido.

By Miriam Raftery

November 29, 2012 (La Mesa) – Viejas firefighters, clad in uniforms, Santa hats and reindeer antlers, rolled into action at Target in Grossmont Center today to stock up on toys for needy local children.  More than 80 Viejas tribal government staffers donated funds to purchase 30  bicycles. 

“We’re here because we want to bring a little bit of joy to some kids who may need that,” Viejas Tribal Chairman Anthony Pico told ECM.  “We know what it’s like to be poverty stricken and perhaps to have Christmas with no gift.  It means so much more when you know where you’ve come from and where you’re going.”  He smiled, adding with a Santa-like twinkle in his eye, “These are some of the most fun times of the year.”