La Mesa man's long battle to recover Pissarro painting stolen by Nazis ends, but family vows to pursue his dream

October 5, 2010 (La Mesa) – Claude Cassirer, who survived an internment camp during World War II and became a lecturer in schools teaching students about the Holocaust, died on September 25, 2010. A portrait photographer, he later became a volunteer and licensed ombudsman for the State of California for more than  20 years, striving to assure proper healthcare for seniors. He and his wife, Beverly, were also prominent political activists and co-founders of the La Mesa Foothills Democratic Club.

Recently, Cassirer made headlines by winning a court battle in September that allowed him to sue the government of Spain.  His lawsuit sought to recover a Pissarro painting stolen from his grandparents by the Nazis, but he passed away before he could see his long-time dream fulfilled.

October 16, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- The Grossmont College Foundation, a fund-raising organization that supports Grossmont College students and educational programs, will host its 2010 Dinner Gala and Auction fund-raiser starting at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino. The public is invited to attend.

Festivities for this year’s ninth annual Gala will begin at 6 p.m. with a reception and silent auction, followed by dinner starting at 7:30 p.m., live auction and live entertainment. The 2010 theme is “Griffin Gold Rush: 49 Years of Excellence.”

October 5, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Artwork created by faculty members of the Grossmont College Art Department will be on display through Oct. 28 at the Hyde Art Gallery, located on campus. The public is invited to view the exhibition of approximately 55 pieces from 29 different art department instructors.

By Miriam Raftery

East County News Service 

October 4, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Leaders at the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District today praised Governor Schwarzenegger for signing SB 1440, the Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act (STAR).

“The legislation recognizes the need to streamline the transfer process and provides an improved, more efficient pathway between California Community Colleges and California State Universities,” Chancellor Cindy Miles said.

October 4, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Members of the East San Diego County League of Women Voters are prepared to explain the nine State ballot measures and Proposition A, from the County of San Diego. The League of Women Voters has representatives willing to visit local organizations to provide written information and answer any questions.

October 4, 2010 (Alpine) -- Cathrine Marie Harless, 63, of Alpine was killed Saturday night in a head-on collision on Alpine Boulevard East of Dunbar, the San Diego Medical Examiner’s office reports. Her pick-up truck was struck by another pick-up driven by Brian Peterson, 40, of Rancho Bernardo.

Issues debated included education, healthcare, immigration reform, jobs, the water shortage, and the economy – as well as Whitman’s undocumented maid
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

October 3, 2010 (San Diego's East County)--In the second debate between candidates in the Governor’s race, former E-Bay CEO Meg Whitman and –ex-Governor/current Attorney General Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown reached out to Latinos, who account for one-third of California’s population and constitute a major voting block.

Hosted by Univision, a Spanish-language TV station, the debate covered education questions in depth, as well as other issues of interest to Latinos including immigration reforms, the state’s water shortage, healthcare, jobs, and the state budget. The controversy over an undocumented immigrant housekeeper employed by Whitman also sparked contentious discussion.

By Brian Lafferty

October 5, 2010 (San Diego)--The Social Network is one of the year’s best films. That is not a label I apply to just any good film. What makes this movie special is how everything in it took me in. Very few movies this year engaged me as much as The Social Network. The writing, directing, acting, and every other aspect left me feeling genuinely spellbound. Every person involved gave one-hundred percent effort and it shows.

By Brian Lafferty

October 3, 2010 (San Diego)--Claustrophobia seems to be a popular theme in the last two months. Lebanon took place entirely within a tank populated by four Israeli soldiers during the First Lebanon War. Whatever was seen outside the tank was limited to what was viewed through the periscope. Devil had several people stuck in an elevator with someone eventually revealed to be the Devil himself. Now we have Buried, a film featuring Ryan Reynolds in Iraq buried several feet underground in a coffin. This is a movie that must be seen in the theater to fully appreciate it. Not even the best home theater system can faithfully replicate the claustrophobic effects experienced at the cinema.

October 2, 2010 (Alpine) – A truck and another vehicle have collided in Alpine, resulting in at least one fatality, according to the California Highway Patrol. The accident was reported at 8:25 p.m. on Alpine Boulevard just east of Dunbar Lane.

October 2, 2010 (San Diego) – The National Weather Service has issued a hazardous weather statement for San Diego County. Skywarn spotter activation is requested through this evening.

Isolated showers and thunderstorms are forecast tonight, mainly in the mountains. “Thunderstorms have deadly lightning and may have heavy rain,” the statement said, adding that strong gusty winds and hail are also forecast.

October 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The public is invited to an Oktoberfest celebration at the El Cajon Elks Lodge, 1400 East Washington Avenue in El Cajon, for the Elks' annual Oktoberfest on October 16, 2010 from 11:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. There will be food and beverages, craft booths, German music to enjoy, a nail pounding contest and pitcher holding contest along with drawings for many prizes.

County Offers No Cost Depression Screenings, Referrals and Resources

October 2, 2010 (San Diego)--The County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), in partnership with the Community Health Improvement Partners (CHIP), is hosting a series of no cost depression screenings for adults during San Diego Depression Screening Week October 4-9.

By Joel A. Harrison

October 1, 2010 (San Diego) -- I recently paid SDG&E $1,599 for a job my plumber would have charged between $400 and $500 to do. The job involved relocating my gas meter approximately nine feet from its location under my bedroom window.

I decided to replace the window with a door and steps as an emergency exit, but couldn’t do this as long as the gas meter was in the way. SDG&E told me that its current safety code prohibits gas meters from being under windows, but my home was “grandfathered” in -- and they were under no obligation to move the meter.