By Ray M. Wong

November 9, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Imagine working for the President of the United States, consulting with him personally and being responsible for the artwork and design of his whole reelection campaign. Josh Higgins doesn’t have to pinch himself awake from the dream. He’s living it.

Higgins studied graphic design at San Diego City College from 1999 to 2002. He has done design work for Fender Guitars, Hewlett Packard and Perry Ellis International. His artwork has helped San Diego County fire victims. Now he’s the Design Director for Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign.    

By Millicent Arko

November 9, 2011 (San Diego)-- Computers 2 San Diego Kids, known as C2SDK, refurbishes used computers and distributes them to eligible families at little or no cost to the recipients.  If you or your business is upgrading equipment, you can donate your previous models, helping families in need and assisting children to learn literacy skills. 

“The County is now officially doing the bidding of a well organized industrial wind lobby…Together, the County and the industry/government cabal are also getting ready to gut the Boulevard Community Plan, and the few protections they allowed us to retain.”—Donna Tisdale, Chair, Boulevard Planning Group

By Miriam Raftery
 

November 9, 2011 (San Diego’s EastCounty) – San Diego County has issued a draft ordinance for publication review (http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/dplu/ceqa/POD1007.html. ) But critics say the plan decimates rural community planning authority and makes it easier for large wind farms to be built across broad swaths of East County.

Residents who already live near wind farms are speaking out—claiming they have suffered sleep deprivation and witnessed significant bird kills from existing turbines. They fear the impacts if multiple new wind farms are allowed to be erected across East County’s rural and scenic wilderness lands.

Approving a 90% sewer rate hike, killing a commission that helps the elderly, and pushing for broad powers under charter city status were just some of the controversial actions taken

By Karen Marie Otter

Story and photos by Ron Logan

November 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Free-speech attorney Bryan Pease said yesterday at a press conference at the Civic Center Plaza that he plans to file a restraining order against the City of San Diego for unfairly violating the occupation's right to free speech.

November 10, 2011 (Alpine) – A SIG Alert has been issued and Old Highway 80 is closed in both directions due to a fatality accident this morning just west of Dunbar Lane.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2011 (La Mesa) – “Can you remember the first time you ate a garden fresh tomato?” asks Debi Byrd, science teacher at Helix Charter High School. “Many students in my class have never had this opportunity."

November 8, 2011 (San Diego)—Edward Ti Lee, 77, has been found safe.

"Mr. Lee became disoriented on his drive yesterday.  He was able to find his way home this morning shortly after the missing person bulletin was sent out," said Lieutenant Andra Brown with the San Diego Police Department.

anonymous

November 8, 2011, (East County) -- As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high ear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods -- merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor.

November 8, 2011 (Alpine) – Sue Roff, director of the Alpine Community Center, will once again be cooking up a Thanksgiving meal for seniors who are alone or can’t travel to be with family for the holidays. Volunteers will deliver the meals to home-bound seniors, along with gift bags filled with items donated by local merchants.

 By Joel A. Harrison, PhD, MPH

November 8, 2011 (San Diego)--In an earlier Op Ed I pointed out that according to the U.S. Constitution, the Federal government has no legal right to impose criminal law on marijuana both grown and sold within the State of California (Reader's Editorial: Medical Marijuana and States Rights, October 25, 2011, http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/7674).

By Brian Lafferty

November 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Brewers Guild hosts its third annual San Diego Beer Week now through November 13. Our region has emerged as a nationally recognized hub for craft beer making, with over 40 breweries. San Diego's brewers won more medals at the 2010 World Beer Cup than the traditional beer bastions of Germany, England and Belgium combined.

 
November 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – The East County Toy and Food Drive needs community support to brighten the holidays for the many children in need this season. Tomorrow morning from 7-9 a.m., a hearty breakfast will be served up at Hometown Buffet, 390 West Main Street in El Cajon.