By MIriam Raftery

October 16, 2012 (San Diego's East County)--Over 50 industrial-scale "renewable" energy projects may soon change forever the face of our region in San Diego's East County and neighboring Imperial County. 

Many are on formerly protected federal lands.  Nationally, 370 million acres of public lands are targeted for big renewable energy projects -- twice the size of Texas!

ECM editor Miriam Raftery has prepared a Powerpoint presentation for organizations that wish to educate their members about the impacts of these projects--and the alternatives. To view our Powerpoint presentation, click here. 

Update January 28, 2013:  Our original presentation raised questions on wind speeds in Ocotillo. Following the project's completion, six weeks of videos document the lack of wind.  An ECM investigation found this is not unusual; many projects around the world have failed to live up to wind speed claims and some countries are now revoking subsidies.  Yet surprisingly, the Bureau of Land Management says it does not require energy companies to provide proof of energy production levels after projects are built. This revelation further casts doubt on the wisdom of destroying public lands with public monies.

By Miriam Raftery

An ECM  Special Report

October 13, 2012 (El Cajon)—The San Diego Grand Jury has launched an investigation into possible misuse of bond funds by the Grossmont Union High School District’s board majority, muliple sources have confirmed to East County Magazine.  

“We’re in a Grand Jury investigation about Alpine,” GUHSD board trustee Priscilla Schreiber told ECM. Schreiber said she learned of the probe “by accident” while in the District’s office.  Schreiber has been a vocal critic of the Board majority (Trustees Gary Woods, Jim Kelly, and Robert Shields) for blocking construction of a high school for Alpine while allowing diversion of school bond funds for costly new projects not mandated in two bond measures, Prop H and Prop U. Both measures were approved by voters and specifically called for a new high school in Alpine.

October 15, 2012 (San Diego)--African Restaurant Week, which starts on Friday, October 19th and ends on Sunday, October 28th is an event being hosted by a variety of African restaurants to showcase and promote African businesses and culture in San Diego.  Just like San Diego Restaurant Week, participating businesses from throughout the City of San Diego will create a special prix fixe menu featuring special appetizers, main courses and desserts.

October 15, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Union School District today sent an email alert from Superintendent Tom Pellegrino warning of an older man who has twice attempted to persuade a female student to get in his car.  Below is the warning sent by the Superintendent today:

The 2nd Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration recognizes individuals who have helped to bridge the gap between the East African refugee community and greater San Diego

October 15, 2012 (San Diego)—Somali Family Service of San Diego is hosting the 2nd Annual OceanLeaf Awards Celebration to recognize the accomplishments of San Diego leaders who have contributed to the advancement of the Somali and East African refugee community in the city. The event celebrates the refugee journey to a new homeland (Ocean) and unity among cultures (Leaf).

October 15, 2012 (San Diego) – San Diego State University announced on Thursday, October 11 a transformative gift from two former faculty members. Professors Emeriti Carey Wall and Terry O’Donnell have partnered on a $2.4 million dollar gift to SDSU’s musical theater program.

Wall’s and O’Donnell’s gift will endow a faculty position in the nationally renowned program.  The funding ensures SDSU musical theatre students will continue to have opportunities to learn from top faculty members.

Video, full text, analysis, polls, and fact check links

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—In a combative debate, Vice President Joe Biden and VP candidate Paul Ryan faced off at Kentucky Centre College last Thursday on both foreign and domestic policy issues.

Unlike President Barack Obama, who drew criticism  from supporters for being “too polite” in failing to counter attacks and even misleading statements by Mitt Romney in the presidential debate, a scrappy Biden defended the administration’s record with the aggressiveness of a prize fighter, calling out Ryan repeatedly on factual errors or exaggerations. Unflapped, Senator Ryan fired back some verbal barbs of his own as he made his case for a Romney-Ryan ticket and assailed the adminstration's record.

October 14, 2012 (Los Angeles)-- ECM photographer Ron Logan, in Los Angeles this week, snapped this historic image of the Space Shuttle Endeavor on its final journey to the California Science Center in Inglewood. 

Astronauts, movie stars and political leaders were on hand. State Senator Roderick Wright concluded, that the reason for making the California Science Center the Endeavor's final home is "because we want you to know, every young person here in the audience, that the universe is your limit. You can go as high as you choose to go."

October 13, 2012 (San Diego) – East County parks have Halloween covered, from haunted hikes to safe Halloween events.  Following is a list of what’s happening around the County.

October 13, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – A four-vehicle accident that has injured six patients is blocking lanes on eastbound State Route 94 this evening, IPN reports. A SIG alert has been issued and the highway is shut down at Federal in Lemon Grove.

According to the CHP website, a wrong-way driver was reported at the scene shortly before the crash was reported. Victims include children and elderly; a medical helicopter has been requested.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos by Tom Abbott

October 11, 2012 (Miramar Marine Corp Air Station)—This weekend’s air show at Miramar is the largest show in the continental United States, according to Lt. Col. Farnan. Visitors to the base can expect to see “more civilian and military aircraft in one place” than anywhere else.

October 12, 2012 (San Diego County) -- The Department of Environmental Health has issued a General Advisory for the coastal waters of San Diego County due to recent rainfall.  Swimmers, surfers, and other ocean users are warned that the levels of bacteria can rise significantly in ocean and bay waters, especially near storm drains, creeks, rivers, and lagoon outlets that discharge urban runoff.  Urban runoff may contain large amounts of bacteria from a variety of sources such as animal waste, soil, and decomposing vegetation.

By Brian Lafferty

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures

October 12, 2012 (San Diego) -- In the summer of 1993 my family and I went on a road trip through the Midwest.  Among our stops was St. Louis.  As the afternoon began to wind down, we headed for the parking garage.  It started to get overcast.  Shortly after, it started to rain a little bit.  Within seconds it poured like the dickens.  My parents, sisters, and I had to run all the way to the parking garage, but not before we were totally drenched.  We were so sopping wet, we had to change in the parking garage. 

October 12, 2012 (Campo) – The Pacific Southwest Railway Museum presents its 2012 Pumpkin Express beginning October 13, for 3 full weekends.  The whole family can enjoy a one hour vintage train ride to the Pumpkin Patch.

ECM article helped shed light on misreprentation, Lincoln Club’s Stirling reveals

By Miriam Raftery

October 11, 2012 (San Diego) –Jim Miller, candidate for Superior Court Judge, failed to disclose in his candidate questionnaire that he had been removed for cause as a Judge Pro Tempore,  the San Diego Lincoln Club announced today. A press release issued by the conservative business group states that Miller “misrepresented the facts” when asked for comments on the allegations in private. 

“Such conduct does not meet the high ethical standards that Lincoln Club members believe are required for judicial officers,” the release concludes. Last night, the Club’s Board of Directors voted to withdraw its endorsement of Miller and to endorse his opponent, Deputy District Attorney Robert Amador.