June 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.

 

Top global and national news stories include:

U.S.

• Obama announces Afghanistan troop withdrawl plan (CNN)
• House sets up Friday vote on limiting funding for Libya mission (The Hill)
• Leading house democrats say social security cuts are a nonstarter (The Hill)
• GOP hopefuls divided over anti-abortion pledge (NPR)

WORLD 

• U.S., other nations agree to release oil; prices fall (USA Today)
• Israeli  military begins to move West Bank barrier ( Jerusalem CNN)
• Climate change: public skeptical, scientists sure (NPR)
• Syria warns against outside influence (Sydney Morning Herald)
• Mexico urges inquiry as U.S. shoots man on the border (BBC)

County Seeks to Ensure Low-Income, Homebound Seniors Have Fresh, Local Produce

June 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- On Thursday June 15th, the County of San Diego is launched More on the Menu (MOM), a community-supported program that will deliver fresh, locally grown produce to the neediest of the County’s elderly home-delivered meal clients. Program recipients are homebound and unable to buy fruits and vegetables for themselves. The weekly bag of fresh produce will provide healthy snacks and supplement the nutritious lunch-time meal these older adults already receive.  

Final Update: June 22 , 2011 -- The Border 9 Fire that began near In Ko Pah Park Rd, Jacumba in San Diego's East County is now 100% contained. The blaze charred 380 acres (40 in the U.S. and 340 in Mexico), Cal-Fire reports.

June 22, 2011 (San Diego) -- Wildfires are increasing in both absolute number and severity in the American southwest and this trend is predicted to continue over decades to come. Wildfire prevention has now become a major priority, and scientists at the University of California, San Diego have received federal funding to devise descriptive and predictive simulation tools to help prevent or suppress wildfires. 

With a one-year grant* from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Cyberinfrastructure, effective June 1, the UC San Diego researchers have opened a new phase for their SDFireSight project. They will develop a technical framework and computer models that will simulate the conditions that can spark a wildfire in San Diego’s ‘backcountry’. 

June 21, 2011 (El Cajon) – “We had some uninvited guests last night drive right up to our front porch. Check out the great parking job,” Jim Symington stated in an e-mail sent to ECM and friends.

The accident occurred last night around 10 p.m. at the home of Jim and Nikki Symington on Tyrone Street in the Fletcher Hills neighborhood. The car also knocked down powerlines, taking down power to some 200 residences ,according to Incident Page Network.

June 21, 2011 (Santee) -- The Via Moto restaurant is now in Santee.  A  grand opening was June 15 for the 4,400-square-foot Via Moto restaurant in The Marketplace in Santee, California. According to Michael Pirraglia, owner and restaurateur, Via Moto is a new Italian dining concept that will feature an express section where diners can order at the counter, a full service bar and dining area for table service, and a vast selection of local and draft beer at the indoor/outdoor bar. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in The Marketplace, at Mission Gorge Road and Carlton Oaks Boulevard.  

 By Vincent Wallgren, Jr, L a Mesa

June 21, 2011 (Lakeside) Updated 2:25 p.m. – A man has suffered second and third degree burns over 70% of his body in an apparent suicide attempt, according to Sgt. Everard Dayrit with the San Diego Sheriff’s Department.

Emergency personnel were called to a report of an explosion at a modular home in the 12000 block of Lakeside Court at 7:20 this morning, where firefighters found the man suffering burns to his face and upper body after the blaze was doused.

By Dennis Moore 

June 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County resident Anat Tour, originally from Canada, is our community’s own Renaissance woman—a master of  mathematics, art, music, writing and much more.  By day, she is a mother of four and a math teacher at a local high school; by night, she is the lead singer for Possession, a local band. In between, she is a writer and illustrator of children’s books, as well as an animator.  She has also been an international model, which is easily discernible by her stage presence and how she carries herself.

June 20, 2011 (East County) -- Summer programs at the three East County YMCAs are available for all people in the East County community. Programs include chlid care, swimming, sports, summer camps and more.

June 20, 2011  (East County) -- When Steve Rowe East County Family YMCA’s executive Director/VP left the local Y to tackle his new role as the new Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer of the YMCA of San Diego County, Rob Sauvajot was appointed to the Executive Director/Vice President of the East County Family YMCA. Rob previously served as the Executive Director of the Peninsula YMCA in Point Loma. Rob’s long career at the YMCA of San Diego County started at the La Jolla YMCA in 1988 as a Day Camp leader. At the La Jolla YMCA, he held positions such as Childcare site supervisor, Day Camp Coordinator, Program Department Head and Associate Executive Director before accepting his former position as Executive Director of the Peninsula Family YMCA in 2004.

June 20, 2011 (Lake Murray) -- Lake Murray's fireworks display will be there this 4th of July for all surrounding neighbors and friends. The program will start at 9:15 p.m. at Lake Murray on the fourth of July.

However, the show has had to cancel the entertainment part of the performance due to lack of funds.

June 20, 2011 (Sacramento) – Legislation authored by Senator Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) aimed at protecting taxpayers and businesses from the impacts of state-issued IOUs has been approved by the State Senate.

“What’s good for the goose is good for the gander,” stated Senator Joel Anderson. “Right now, the state IOU process is a forced-borrowing scheme at the expense of the taxpayers. This measure will offer taxpayers protection by forcing the state to accept its own IOU as payment.”