September 11, 2013 (Grantville) – At 7:55 p.m. on September 7, a man entered the Rite-Aid at 6505 Mission Gorge Road. The man walked up to the counter with some items. He pulled out a knife and demanded cash from the clerk. The clerk refused to give him any cash. The suspect fled and the clerk followed the suspect of the store.

September 11, 2013 (Lakeside) – On Thursday, September 12,  from 9 to 11 a.m., Lakeside Fire Chief Andy Parr will hold a “Conversation with the Lakeside Fire Chief.”  The event will be held at the Lakeside Community Center at Lindo Lake Park. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 11, 2013 (San Diego) – Today, Supervisors approved the acquisition of over 14 acres of vacant land adjacent to Borrego Valley airport. The purchase aims to create a buffer zone between the airport and private properties to protect approach and departure routes. The property is listed for sale at $20,000.

No one spoke in favor of the measure.  One speaker, Robert Germann of Lakeside, spoke against, calling it a “waste of taxpayer money.”

September 12, 2013 (San Diego)-- Saturday evening, October 5 the second annual Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation’s “Art in the Park” will be held.  Featured art by more than 40 award-winning artists will be on display and for sale, with over 100 pieces of nature-related art featuring a variety of painting styles, ceramics, photography, and sculptures. Artists will also be in attendance representing their art. CBS8 Meteorologist and lifestyle reporter Shawn Styles, and Mission Publishing Group publisher, Jim Madaffer return as honorary co-chairs for this event in the Visitor Center from 6-9 p.m.  Tickets are required.

There will also be a silent and a live auction; for $25 guests can enjoy an evening of fine art, fine wine, fine cheese, and fine chocolate (by Xocai healthy chocolate). 

September 11, 2013 (El Cajon) – With a vow to never forget the sacrifices made and the lives lost in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Cuyamaca College today held a ceremony and display of 2,977 small flags on the campus’ Grand Lawn, each representing a victim of the fateful day when two planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City and two other commandeered planes crashed into the Pentagon and a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

On a postcard-perfect summer morning with the San Miguel Fire Station’s massive 70-foot flag as a backdrop, the campus community and the public gathered to commemorate an event that even after a dozen years had spectators wiping away tears and speakers’ voices choking with emotion.

A few miles away, a similar ceremony took place at Grossmont College, where the morning began with the recitation of victims’ names interspersed with moments of silence corresponding with each horrifying incident that would forever leave an indelible mark on that historic day.

September 11, 2013 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Fire district fray gambles with human lives (U-t San Diego)
• Mayor explains why he gave green light to developing Pinnacle Peak area (SanteePatch.com)
• Iraqi Refugee Family Struggles To Make A New Life In San Diego (KPBS)
• Former Councilwoman will do less time (U-T San Diego)
• Skip line, go online for trolley tickets (UT San Diego)
• TSA Precheck Screening Program Coming To San Diego Airport (KPBS)
• Study: Tsunami could slam San Diego U-T San Diego)
• Pattern Energy’s wind field in Ocotillo, California – a case study in environmental degradation (Quixotes Last Stand)
• Which ZIP codes pay most for insurance? (U-T San Diego)
• 'We’re doing what the state should’ (U-T San Diego)
• Payoffs alleged at assisted living centers

STATE

• Hunter's campfire sparked California blaze that scorched Yosemite (Reuters)
• California lawmakers OK bills to expand family leave, narrow workers comp for athletes (Sacramento Bee)
• California prison debate focuses on about 7,700 inmates (Sacramento Bee)
• State tries to save power by storage (U-T San Diego)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

September 11, 2013 (La Mesa) – Sullivan Solar Power invites the public to two free  events on solar energy in La Mesa:

• La Mesa Solar Luncheon on Saturday, September 21st at 11:00 a.m.at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Dr.). will provide opportunities to, learn about solar technology, how to determine if solar is right for your home, rebates and incentives, and local case studies. The presentation will last one hour; lunch will be provided. RSVP: 1.800.SULLIVAN. 

• Solar Open House on Saturday, September 28th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in La Mesa at 7430 Orien Avenue. Utility rates went up as much as 39% recently. Learn about solar technology, rebates and incentives, and the SDG&E rate hike from solar industry experts while talking to property owners that went solar. Call 1.800.SULLIVAN for more information.
  

Update September 11, 2013:  This agenda item has been postponed until September 25th due to the absence of Supervisor Greg Cox.

Hear ECM’s radio interview with Supervisor Dianne Jacob on this issue: http://k002.kiwi6.com/hotlink/uuv0z6n9db/diannejacob-energyplanhearing.mp3

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2013 (San Diego) Updated September 8, 2013 –On Wednesday morning, Supervisors will consider approval of the first phase of a “Renewable Energy Work Plan” to support renewable energy development – and determine just what types of renewable energy the County should pursue.   This includes an overview of energy resources available in the unincorporated areas including East County, a cost analysis of renewable energy options, and consideration of consumer choice alternatives for purchasing power from a source other than SDG&E, such as through community choice aggregation.

September 10, 2013 (Crest) – The San Diego County Library will celebrate its 100^th birthday with a presentation by the Crest Historical Society on September 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  A historical DVD, “Crest: The Early Years” will be presented and subjects depicted in Crest Library’s Mural will be discussed.

September 10, 2013 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Historical Society will continue it free History Roundtable Series for 2013 with a presentation on the architectural heritage of La Mesa titled “Emmor Brooke Weaver: Pioneer Architect”.  The presentation featuring Alexander D. Bevil, a historian with California State Parks, will be held on September 28 at 10 a.m. at Grossmont Healthcare District Auditorium, 9001 Wakarusa Drive, La Mesa.

September 10, 2013 (El Cajon) – The 4^th Annual Chaldean Festival well be held at Centennial Plaza in El Cajon on September 14 & 15 from 5 – 10 p.m.  This free event features music, dance, food, games and vendor booths.  There will also be a raffle for a Sports Car. 

All are welcome to this event sponsored by the Chaldean American Institute and St. Michael’s Aid Society.

September 10, 2013 (El Cajon) – On September 8 at 3:13 p.m., Lemon Grove Sheriff’s deputies received a call of a residential burglary in progress at a home in the 1800 block of Granite Hills Dr., in unincorporated El Cajon. The homeowner reported that an unknown male suspect jumped out of a window to his home and fled in a black Ford Taurus northbound on Granite Hills Drive.

Photo, left:  Lyons Valley fire, Jamul, by Leslie Yoder

Photo, lower right: UCSD's HPWren webcam atop Lyon's Peak

Update September 10, 2013, 8 a.m.  – The Lyons Fire has charred 450 acres and is 15 percent contained. No structures have been lost.  Rain overnight brought help to firefighting efforts. 

Lyons Valley Road is closed between Japatul and Honey Springs and will remain closed for most of the day. Skyline Truck Trail is closed between Honey Springs and Skyline Spur; Skyline Spur is the alternate route, the Deerhorn Valley Antler advises.

Update 6:30 p.m. - Residents in Lyons Valley are being escorted back to their homes this evening, the Sheriff's media line has advised ECM.  ECM reporter Nadin Abbott advised the school that was listed by the Sheriff and County Emergency Services as an evacuation site is now closed.  The fire has charred 250 acres and is 10% contained.

Update 4 p.m. The Potrero Fire is 100% contained at 5 acres, Cal Fire reports. No structures were damaged but one burn injury was reported.  Lyons Fire in Jamul is 225 acres, Cal Fire confirms. Deerhorn Valley Antler editor reports all roads in Four Corners area are closed. Firefighters are concerned fire could move into Lawson Valley.  SDG&E is evaluating risk to Sunrise Powerlink.

September 9 (Monday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host debut local novelist Lacy Crawford, who will discuss and sign her book Early Decision. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author's most current book must be purchased from Warwick's.

Background: A delightful and salacious debut novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application-and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up.

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2013 (San Diego) – After visiting the Rim Fire (photo, left)  to learn more about large-scale disaster responses, Supervisor Dave Roberts announces he is introducing emergency preparedness legislation on Tuesday, September 10, along with Supervisor Ron Roberts.

“Our initiative seeks to assist our most vulnerable residents in the event of a disaster,” said Dave Roberts in a newsletter to constituents.   Also on Tuesday, the County’s Office of Emergency Services will update Board members on community preparedness and improvements made since the 2007 firestorms  as the height of fire season approaches.

Vulnerable residents include those with physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities.  A survey by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research found a staggering 26 percent of San Diego County residents report they are disabled due to a physical, mental or emotional condition.  A 2009 survey asked if people were prepared for a major disaster and among those who replied “not prepared, 30.3% said they were disabled.   County records also list 25,000 individuals who need a personal care assistant to be independent.