October 2015 Articles

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS NOV. 5-21

 

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

East County News Service

November 5, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes guitar concerts, a Plantstravaganza, the Toast of East County featuring local wineries, the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, and a Punkin Chunkin contest!

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a  harmonica concert, Wrangler at Red Mountain Ranch dinner theatre, a storytelling celebration, and the Mother Goose Parade. Scroll down for details on these events and many more.

Audio: 

Destination East County 11-5-15

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NEED HEALTH INSURANCE? OBAMACARE OPEN ENROLLMENT STARTS NOV. 1ST

 

By Chris Jennewein, Times of San Diego (a member of the San Diego Online News Association)

November 1, 2015 (San Diego) --Annual checkups are covered for free by all qualifying insurance plans.

If you’re a recent college graduate, chances are you don’t have health insurance, even though you need it to stay safe and avoid tax penalties.

The good news is that open enrollment under the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare, begins Sunday.

You’ll have through Dec. 15 to examine the 2016 plans and enroll through Covered California, which administers the act in this state. Under the law, you must be covered by insurance beginning Jan. 1 to avoid a tax penalty.


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GARDEN GALA ENCHANTS EAST COUNTY

 

Water Conservation Garden Hosts Second Annual Flagship Fundraiser

By Reema Makani Boccia

October 31, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)--The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon wowed attendees at its second annual “Enchanted Garden Gala” on Saturday, October 17 with an evening filled with delectable food and captivating entertainment all while supporting the East County institution. The event theme ‘Water – More Precious Than Gold’ was prevalent throughout the event, particularly striking a note with California’s current drought.


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EAST COUNTY ARTISTS WIN AWARDS

 

 

 

October 31, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --Poway resident Joe Nalven won the Second Place Award, andj Ellary Brandon, El Cajon received an Honorable Mention Award  in the 12th annual Digital Art Show of St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Dr., San Diego.  The show will run October 25-November 22.  It includes 28 works by 15 artists on the theme “Reveal the Peace.”


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CIRCLE PLAYERS PRESENT WRANGLE AT RED MOUNTAIN RANCH NOV. 13-15

 

October 31, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Circle Players of El Cajon will be performing “Wrangle at Red Mountain Ranch” November 13th and 14th at 7:00pm and November 15th at 2:00pm.  This mystery dinner theatre is set at a dude ranch and we encourage all attendees to wear their western attire and have a rip-roarin’ good time!


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FATAL HIT AND RUN ON SR-15: CHP SEEKS NISSAN SUV AFTER PEDESTRIAN FATALITY ON I-15

 

East County News Service

October 31, 2015 (San Diego) – California Highway Patrol is seeking a second vehicle, a white Nissan Sport Utility Vehicle with damage to the right front fender and quarter panel. It was seen leaving the area of a fatal pedestrian crash on I-15 that occurred about 1:45 a.m. on October 28, when several motorists reported swerving to avoid a “mannequin” that turned out to be a woman’s body.


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A HAUNTING EVENING

East County News Service

October 31, 2015 (La Mesa) -- Thanks to all who turned out for our Masquerade party on Halloween Eve! 

Our guests went all out on costumes, also enjoying the wonderful music of Paul Nichols. When Paul played "Monster Mash," the night came alive as our elaborately costumed guests took to the dance floor and vied for prizes.

Our staff regaled guests with some spooky ghost stories--all based on local legends right here in East County, from a ghostly ship in the desert to a phantom white horse and more. (Watch for an audio version of these tales to be posted soon.)

We also had some "celebrity" guests pop in, including Donald and Ivana Trump, Mother Nature and more:


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RAMONA ART AND WINE FESTIVAL: NOV. 7

 

November 1, 2015 (Ramona) – This year’s Ramona Art and Wine Festival will feature 15 local wineries, artists, vendors and chefs on November 7 from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at a new, expanded location at Begent Ranch (18528 Highland Valley Road, Ramona).  Hand-painted barrels will be auctioned to benefit the Ramona H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project, a 501c3 nonprofit.


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PALA REZ RADIO RECEIVES PRESS CLUB AWARDS

 

October 31, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Pala Rez Radio 91.3 has again been honored by the San Diego Press Club with awards from their Excellence in Journalism competition for 2015.


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OIL PIPELINES ACROSS TRIBAL LAND

 

By Leon Thompson

October 31, 2015 (White Earth Minnesota) – Tar Sands the filthiest, most carbon intensive oil on the planet from Canada and North Dakota are slated to cross Northern Minnesota, targeting sites significant to Native American communities and public lands treasured by people across America and around the world.


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FREE SAND AND BAGS: PREPARE FOR EL NINO RAINS

October 31, 2015 (San Diego)--Not only are weather forecasters predicting the chance of showers next week, we’re also heading into our much-anticipated El Niño season — which could mean a lot more rainfall than we’ve seen for a long time.


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HALLOWEEN EVE MASQUERADE BASH: BENEFITS EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE OCT. 30

Join East County Magazine at our Halloween Eve Masquerade Party at our editor's "haunting" home on Mt. Helix!

Friday, October 30th, 6-10 p.m.

Savor a "spook-tacular" feast, hear local spine-tingling ghost stories, watch classic '50s suspense films, listen to live original and variety music with Paul Nichols, and win wonderful prizes!  Free, fabulous masquerade masks for the first 50 RSVPs. 

Suggested donation: Just $10 and bring a dish to share. Happy Halloween Eve!

This event is open exclusively to East County Magazine subscribers. Our subscriptions to our weekly e-newsletter are FREE. Sign up here: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/wild-fire-alerts  and then reserve your space!  Reserve space now!  Call 619-698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org to RSVP and get the address.


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“SHOCKER”: JUDGE ISSUES TENTATIVE RULING TO DISMISS LAWSUIT AGAINST GROSSMONT DISTRICT OVER ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 29, 2015 (Alpine) – For Alpine parents, it sounds like a Halloween horror story.  But it's an unexpected treat for the board majority at the Grossmont Union High School District.  Today, Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman (photo) issued a tentative ruling granting Grossmont 's motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Alpine parents and taxpayers. 

The suit sought to  force the district to turn over funds to build an Alpine high school, which voters twice voted to approve in Propositions H and U. The board's action drew scrutiny from the County Grand Jury, which issued a scathing report titled "Fool us once, fool us twice?"

The tentative ruling comes as a shock since Judge Pressman  previously denied an attempt by Grossmont to dismiss the case and set a trial date for early December, as ECM reported. In his earlier ruling, the judge rejected Grossmont’s arguments that it did not have a contract commitment with Alpine to build a high school and that the text of Prop U did not compel the district to build the long-promised school.


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PLANTSRAVAGANZA! WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN HOSTS FALL PLANT SALE NOV. 7

 

Planstravaganza! Among San Diego County’s Most Diverse Water-Wise Plant Sales; Vendors, Professional Consultations Available

 

October 29, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)--The Water Conservation Garden is hosting its annual Fall Planstravaganza! on Saturday, November 7 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. to help San Diegans make the most of the region’s fall-to-spring planting season and save water while they do it.

The event boasts the most diverse drought-tolerant plant sale in San Diego County. Retailers and growers will sell shrubs, trees, perennials, succulents and more, making the event one-stop shopping for fall and winter gardening essentials.  Plants that get planted during the mild San Diego fall planting season will reward gardeners with strong root systems that allow the plants to establish to their potential by the spring, particularly with this year’s upcoming El Nino. 


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COUNTY OFFICIALS ISSUE ALERT OVER SCAM TARGETING SENIORS

 

County News Service

October 29, 2015 (San Diego)--County officials are alerting the public about a group of scam artists known to be targeting elderly residents in the county, particularly seniors in the Hispanic community.


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SAN DIEGO RANKS LAST FOR BUILDING WEALTH



 
 
By Ed Barrena
 
October 29, 2015 (San Diego) - San Diego is the worst major metropolitan area to build wealth, according to a report by financial website Bankrate.com.  The findings may not be entirely surprising to residents of San Diego, where rent and mortgages continue to climb and wages remain fairly stagnant.


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SENATOR ANDERSON'S COMMUNITY COFFEE TOPICS RANGE FROM FIRE TAX TO VACCINES

 

By Janis Russell

October 29, 2015 (Spring Valley)- On Thursday October 22, La Mesa-Spring Valley School District Board member David Chong hosted Senator Joel Anderson’s community coffee at Trinity Presbyterian Church. Zahara Almosawi, an intern for the Senator, manned a table with resources for the community, including paperwork for anyone who had problems with a state agency.


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RED MEAT AND PROCESSED MEATS LINKED TO CANCER, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS

 

East County News Service

October 29, 2015 (San Diego) -- Red meats—meaning beef and pork--probably cause cancer.  So do meats that have been salted, smoked, pickled or otherwise processed , the World Health Organization, or WHO, warns. WHO issued those findings in a summary of an upcoming report published in the medical journal Lancet Oncology.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY OCT. 30 - NOV. 14

 

Listen to Destination East County, also airing on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

October 29, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes  a haunted town hall in Ramona, a Howl-o-Ween Spooky Spectacular in Spring Valley,  and a scare trail at an abandoned amusement park in El Cajon.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a fall Plantstravaganza, a dinner theatre show, concerts,  a story telling celebration, and much, much more!

Audio: 


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EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE PICKS UP 5 NEW AWARDS FROM SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB

 

East County News Service

October 27, 2015 (San Diego Press Club) – East County Magazine picked up three first place awards and two second places in the San Diego Press Club’s 42nd annual “Excellence in Journalism Awards.”

Our editor, Miriam Raftery, won first place in multicultural coverage for her report, “Christian homes marked, families killed: East County residents rally to save Iraqi Christians.”  She also took first place for public service/consumer advocacy journalism with “Lakeside residents and planners voice outrage over sand mining proposed in El Monte Valley.”


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ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

October 27, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect 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 world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

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


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

October 27, 2015 (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

STATE

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


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STRONG-ARM ROBBERY IN COLLEGE AREA

 

East County News Service

October 26, 2015 (San Diego) – Police at San Diego State University are warning of a strong-arm robbery that occurred shortly after midnight the morning of October 16th at 6040 Aztec Circle Drive on campus.


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VIEJAS CASINO & RESORT OPENS SECOND LUXURY HOTEL TOWER OCT. 30: FLYING WALLENDAS TO PERFORM

 

October 27, 2015 (Alpine)--Viejas Casino & Resort will be officially opening its second luxury hotel tower on Friday, October 30th. Thousands will be in attendance for the grand opening ceremony for the new five-story tower. Separated by the hotel pool area and the Park at Viejas––a designated space for concerts and special events––the new hotel tower stands near its partner, Viejas’ first hotel tower, which opened in spring of 2013.


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IBEW POLITICAL DIRECTOR WILL RUN FOR SAN DIEGO MAYOR

 

By Chris Jennewein

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association (SDONA)

October 26, 2015 (San Diego)--Gretchen Newsom, an Ocean Beach community leader and political director of IBEW Local 569, announced Saturday that she will run for mayor of San Diego next year.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: BLACK JURORS NEED NOT APPLY

 

By Roderick T. Long, Creative Commons license

October 27, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - If you’re black, you may have trouble getting on to a jury.

The way in which jurors are chosen in the United States is intended to ensure an unbiased jury; and part of that process is the right of “peremptory challenge,” by which the prosecution and the defense are each allowed to reject a certain number of potential jurors without having to prove them unfit. But some prosecutors, especially in the southern states, appear to be using this procedure not to prevent bias but to guarantee it. (“Exclusion of Blacks From Juries Raises Renewed Scrutiny,” New York Times, 16 August 2015).


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JUDGE DISMISSES ALL-WHITE JURY

 

By Miriam Raftery

October 27, 2015 (Louisville, KY)--Can a black defendant get a fair trial with an all-white jury?

A judge in Louisville, Kentucky, says no – and he’s dismissed an entire jury because it lacked minorities in the trial of an African-American defendant facing drug charges.


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ASK AN AUTHOR - SHOULD SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHORS SEEK LITERARY AGENTS

 

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

October 27, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Leigh Bennett joins us from the land Down Under to give advice about literary agents. Bennett is the author of the hilarious contemporary romance Flirting With Magick and the brand new urban fantasy Avalon's Child.

Leigh began as a self-published author before being recruited by me to join the publishing house Booktrope. Both of us have free giveaways coming soon, so be sure to check out the free books list at the end of this week's column.


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SOLAR CITY PROGRAMS EMPOWER COMMUNITIES AND HOMEOWNERS

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

 

 

Hear our exclusive interview with David Guefen, Solar City in San Diego: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

October 12, 2015 (San Diego)—Solar City, the largest solar company in the U.S., has launched some of the most ambitious and empowering programs in the solar industry.  The company can even act as your utility company, enabling you to get a solar system for no money down and start saving on your utility bill from day one.   Average savings per home run 20 to 60 percent on utility bills, says David Guefen with Solar City San Diego.

The company is also giving back through programs that provide free solar to schools in impoverished countries, giving free solar power to families in military housing, and offering a rewards program for referrals. (If you buy a system from Solar City and mention East County Magazine, our nonprofit will receive a reward. Just click the ad in this story.)

But the window to go solar with maximum incentives ends December 31st, when a 30% federal tax credit is set to expire or be slashed.

Audio: 


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ASK AN AUTHOR - BUILDING AN EMAIL LIST FOR MARKETING

 

Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

October 26, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - A scientist, a novelist, and now a guest columnist... Ask An Author is happy to welcome multiple award-winning author and physicist Massimo Marino, whose science fiction trilogy sold more than 10,000 copies in the US and abroad before being picked up by a publisher. Also, get one of his novels free Nov 9-14, as well as 200 more!


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