September 15, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) –The California Public Utilities Commission is now directing the public to send complaints about Sunrise Powerlink to a private consulting group, meaning complaint records would presumably not be disclosable to the media or to the public.

September 1, 2011 (Valley Center)--English high teas have become among the most popular events served up at Keys Creek Lavender Farm in Valley Center. Savor refreshing teas and delicacies such as tea sandwiches, chicken herbs de Provence, Devonshire cream, fresh fruit, lavender scones and more at an English-style high tea on September 17 at 2 p.m.

September 15, 2011 (Alpine) – Alpine Kiwanis will host a Chili Cook-Off, along with the Show & Shine Car Show, at the Alpine Community Park this Saturday, September 17 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Enjoy music by the Legends, crafters, vendors, bratwurst, ice cream and more at the festivities.

The event will be held at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

Top world and U.S. headlines include: 

WORLD

• World markets sink amid Europe debt worries (NPR)
• Egyptian protesters pull down Israeli embassy wall (Reuters)
• China losing edge as low-cost manufacturer, KPMG says (BBC)

U.S.

• Obama’s bill makes it illegal to discriminate against unemployed (The Hill)
• Nation looks ahead with hope after remembering 9/11 victims (CNN)
• NATO: 77 US troops injured after Taliban hit Afghan/coalition base (CNN)
• Student loan default rates jump (Union-Tribune)
  

HEALTH

September 15, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top news stories of interest to our region, published in other media. This week's top Roundup stories include:

LOCAL

• SDUSD may close 10 San Diego schools (10 News)
• East County college district adopts lean budget (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Sewer problems highlight region’s utility weak spots (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Grossmont High School District hopes for ‘soft landing’ in case of midyear cuts (La Mesa Patch)
• Fiery ball seen streaking across SoCal sky (10 News)
• Underlying cause of the Southwestern blackout, Sept. 8, 2011: Failure of the smart grid (La Mesa Patch)
• Congresswoman Davis: Campaign robbed of $250,000  (10 News)
• Helix grad Shoshana Hebshi makes world news (passenger detained in Detroit) (La Mesa Patch)
• Sempra announces new company president

STATE

• Jerry Brown calls for ‘war on unemployment’ (Sacramento Bee)
• Chamber of Commerce wins big on its “job killer” list (Sacramento Bee)
• Mercury chairman dumps $8 million into insurance initiative drive (Sacramento Bee)

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2011 (San Diego) – I-5 is now open and a SIG alert cancelled following collapse of a construction platform that landed on vehicles and injured 11 people, one seriously, at the San Ysidro border crossing this afternoon.

September 12, 2011 (Escondido) – Get a close-up look at what fresh and local agriculture is all about from those who know it best: San Diego farmers! On Saturday, Oct. 15, six local growers will open their farms to the public for San Diego County Farm Bureau’s second annual Farm Tour Day, with guided walking tours from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 
 By Steve Doss, Wells Fargo’s SBA Regional Manager for the Southern California Market
 
 
September 14, 2011 (San Diego) -- “What does it really take for a small business owner to get a loan from a bank today?” It’s one of the top questions our bankers hear – and I would like to share our answer to this question.
 
  
 

September 14, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Lightning strikes have ignited two small brush fires in Shelter Valley, between Julian and Borrego Springs, Cal Fire confirms.

By Buck Shott
 

September 16, 2011 (La Mesa) -- Grossmont Healthcare District and the City of La Mesa will host the 10th annual Kids Care Fest on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. This free family event features free health care screenings at Briercrest Park, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa.

September 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- Parents, students, staff and community members from throughout Eastern San Diego County are welcome to attend the 2nd Annual iParent event, sponsored by the Grossmont Union High School District.

The event, which will feature keynote speakers Marsha Dodson and Dr. Darlene Willis and their presentationEmpowering Parents: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Child's Educational Journey, will take place on Saturday, September 17, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Vallhalla High School. 

September 9, 2011 (San Diego) – Local residents are swapping stories of how they coped during the biggest blackout ever to hit our region. Their tales vary widely – and show that amid a crisis, attitude is everything! Neighbors helped neighbors—and some hosted impromptu blackout parties.