By Jim Stieringer, President
Grossmont Healthcare District

November 14, 2009 (La Mesa) -- The House of Representatives' vote on November 7th is the first step in a long process that will have a profound effect on healthcare funding throughout the nation. Although few have read the 1990 page proposed legislation, some parts lend themselves to an early analysis.

There may be a constitutional problem in compelling people to purchase health insurance. Although many states currently require drivers to insure their automobiles, no one is required to drive a car. In fact, the state of California requires every owner of a motor vehicle to maintain an acceptable form of financial responsibility.

November 15, 2009 (Lakeside) - Community leaders turned out for a grand opening at Garden Fresh Market in Lakeside last weekend, where children frolicked down a giant inflatable slide as parents shopped and savored free barbecued hotdogs and tacos.

“We have more products now,” said owner Noko Kako, an Iraqi Chaldean immigrant who also owns markets in Chula Vista and San Diego. “We have a pizza restaurant—and we do delivery.” The in-store deli counter also serves up sub sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, calzones, fish and chips, shrimp baskets and more.

November 15, 2009 (Julian) - On November 21 and 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., artists and artisans from the Julian Arts Guild invites the public to in an open studios and galleries tour. What better way to do some early holiday shopping and enjoy the beautiful backroads and byways near the historic gold mining town of Julian?

November 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – Originally slated for demolition, the newly renovated San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s El Cajon Transit Center was reopened Wednesday.

November 13, 2009 (La Mesa) – Celebrities will serve up fare on Tuesday, November 24th from 5 to 10 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in La Mesa’s Grossmont Center. All tips and donations benefit the East County Toy and Food Drive to help the growing number of needy children and their families this holiday season. Celebrity waiters will include former Cy Young award-winning pitcher Randy Jones and others from the Padres, Paul Bloom from KUSI News, as well as KOGO radio representatives Cliff Albert, Chip Franklin, LaDona Harvey, Phil Farrar, Cal Walker.

Nearly 700 East County families have requested help to provide food and toys for their children this Christmas, signing up on the first day that assistance applications were available.

November 12, 2009 (El Cajon) - Visiting Angels and the Alzheimer's Foundation of America invite you to participate in a national candle lighting to commemorate Alzheimer's patients on Sunday, November 15 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. outside the Starbucks at 124 West Main (corner of Main and Magnolia) in El Cajon.

November 12, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Mother Goose Parade Association has announced the Grand Marshals for the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 – the “Chula Vista Park View All-Stars.”

 by Christopher Mohr

(RANCHO SAN DIEGO) November 6th - High school football coaches often remind their players that the game is 48 minutes long and to achieve success, you must play hard for all 48 of those minutes. Friday night's football game at Steele Canyon High School between the host Cougars and the visiting Norsemen of Valhalla High School was a great example of why this reminder is so true. 

By Leon Thompson, the East County Eater

October 25th, 2009 (Alpine) -- “Smokin’ in the Park,” the state’s largest BBQ competition sponsored by Viejas, was held Oct. 17 at the Viejas Outlet Center. Last year’s event drew over 9,000 people and from the looks of the long lines of hungry barbecue aficionados waiting to sample the fare here, I’d say this year’s event was an equally savory success.

By Miriam Raftery

November 10, 2009 (San Diego) - One Block Off the Grid (1BOG), the nation’s largest solar buying collective, today announced launch of its second solar community buying campaign to help San Diego County homeowners and small business owners purchase solar energy at group discount rates of $5.29 per watt from now through February 12, 2010.

COSTS, DIFFERENCES BETWEEN KEY REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRATIC PLANS ALSO WEIGHED
 

November 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.) –H.R. 3962, The Affordable Health Care for America Act approved Saturday by the House of Representatives is widely deemed the most significant social reform since the enactment of Social Security and Medicaid. The bill will next be considered by the Senate. While much media coverage has focused on a public option (i.e., giving qualifying consumers a choice between private healthcare and a government-run system) the bill in fact has many other provisions that, if enacted, will impact nearly everyone in America.

Last-minute amendments, media spin (and in some cases, outright fibs) have many confused about what’s actually in the bill. How will it affect you, what will it cost, and how does the Democratic-backed bill passed by the House compare with alternatives proposed by Republicans? East County Magazine has consulted a wide variety of sources on the left and right as well as nonpartisan fact-checking outlets, government analysts, and major media outlets to provide you with as many answers as we could find.

November 10, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)--Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner yesterday announced that the Department of Insurance (CDI) has recovered more than $27 million from insurance companies for consumers. The recoveries were made through the department’s complaint process in the aftermath of the devastating Witch Creek fire in San Diego County that killed two people, destroyed 1,650 structures and burned more than 197,000 acres in Oct. 2007.

by Francine Busby

November 9, 2009 (San Diego) --Mr. Bilbray and his Republican colleagues in Congress just don’t get it. They need a shot of reality before they render themselves completely obsolete. It's way past time to stop the empty excuses, tired remedies and baseless accusations in regards to Healthcare reform. It's time to work together for the health and well-being of our families, our economy and our national security.

This is a very personal issue. In San Diego County, over 600,000, or 20.2% of people are uninsured and tens of thousands more are under-insured. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in Bilbray's own Congressional district, 15.8%, or over 103,000 people are currently without health insurance.

 
Updated code to serve as model for state, city, county, tribal, territorial agencies and food industry

November 7, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Grossmont Union High School District’s Academic League competition kicked off on November 4th. The 11-round event will culminate in televised coverage next February.

“Congratulations to first year coaches Brianne Jones (Grossmont) and Dena Rosenberger (El Capitan) for their very first wins. We are looking forward to another great season!” said Steve Haiman, one of three Academic League coordinators, along with Dick Beach and Ruth Weiss.

Varsity and Junior Varsity results after the first match are as follows: