April 2009 Articles

SMALL BRUSH FIRE CONTAINED IN SAN MARCOS

(Capt. Nick Schuler, Cal-Fire)

April 19, 2009 (San Marcos)—A small brush fire was contained shortly after
it broke out around 1 p.m. near the 3000 block of North Twin Oaks Valley Road,
CAL FIRE reports. 


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CONGRESSMAN FILNER JOINS LOCAL OFFICIALS TO OPPOSE RELEASE OF CONVICTED SEX OFFENDER TO OTAY MESA

( Manuel Paul, San Ysidro School District Superintendent; Clarissa Falcon, District Director for State Senator Denise Ducheny; Rachel Solorzano, Congressman Bob Filner, Representative from Assembly Member Mary Salas’ Office; Yolanda Hernandez, San Ysidro School Board Member; Hector Espinoza, San Ysidro High School Principal; Jesus Gandara, Sweetwater School District Superintendent; Ralph Dimarucut from Assembly Member Mary Salas’ Office; Anastasia Farbur from Senator Denise Ducheny’s Office; Raquel Marquez, San Ysidro School Board Member; and Jason Wells, San Ysidro Chamber of Commerce. )

April 16, 2009 (Otay Mesa)--Congressman Bob Filner joined with local school and public officials at the San Ysidro Child Development Center today to publicly oppose the release of convicted sex offender, Matthew Hedge, in Otay Mesa. A judge recently approved a plan to release Hedge in Otay Mesa within the next month, and many are concerned that this is too close to schools and neighborhoods with small children.


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HOT TOPIC: VIEJAS HOSTS WILDFIRE FIGHTING DRILLS FOR 60 FIRE PROTECTION AGENCIES

By Miriam Raftery

April 23, 2009 (Viejas Indian Reservation)—Preparing for fire season, fire
engine crews from more than 60 fire protection agencies donned full safety
gear and participated in structure protection drills, wildland hose lays, pumping
evolutions and other exercises. Aerial resources, including helicopters, practiced
coordinated fire attacks with ground crews under simulated fire conditions.
The eighth annual event was hosted this year at the Viejas Indian Reservation
east of Alpine on April 18, 21, 22 and 23.


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HELIX WATER DISTRICT PROPOSES HEFTY WATER RATE INCREASE

New rates start metering May 1, Public Hearing May 27

By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero and Rachel Ford Hutman

The Proposal

(Rachel Ford Hutman)

April 21, 2009 (La Mesa) - If you are one of the 260,000 residents in the
Helix Water District, you may soon be paying a minimum increase of 20% more
for your water—and for some heavy users, several times higher than those with
low water usage. 

On March 4 the district’s Board of Directors voted 3-2 to issue a notice of
a public hearing May 27, for rate increases which would increase the base rate
by 20% for the first 10 units of water, plus an additional sliding scale based
on usage. For example, a user of 75 units will have an increase of 49%.


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BUNGLED BURGLARY: THREE ARRESTED IN LA MESA

April 23, 2009 (La Mesa)-- La Mesa Police received a 911 call at 1:32 p.m. on April 22 from a witness who told dispatchers that a man and two women were breaking into a home in the 7900 block of Pasadena Ave.

Officers arrived and detained two female suspects in the driveway of the victim’s residence. The witness told dispatchers the male suspect was fleeing out the back of the victim’s house. A perimeter was established and officers began a search of the area.


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STUDENTS GO ALL OUT FOR FREE COYOTE MUSIC FESTIVAL , HOPE FOR A HOWLING SUCCESS

April 23, 2009 (El Cajon, CA) – The bands are ready to play. The stage is set up and the equipment is in place. Thousands of flyers and postcards have been distributed, and hundreds of posters have been put up San Diego City and in East County. For the students in Cuyamaca College's Music Industry Studies program, the efforts of a whole semester will reach their fruition on May 1, when the first Coyote Music Festival unfolds on the college's Grand Lawn at 3pm.

 


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SAN DIEGO’S CARBON FOOTPRINT IS BIGGER THAN LA’S: LOCAL POLICIES TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE ARE LAGGING, CPI REPORT FINDS

April 22, 2009 (San Diego)--The carbon footprint of the average San Diegan--including residential energy use and transportation--is larger than that of the average resident of Los Angeles, a review of available data shows. San Diego also lags behind LA in policies and programs to reduce energy use, according to Climate Change Performance and Policy: San Diego versus Los Angeles, a policy paper issued on Earth Day 2009 by the Center on Policy Initiatives, a San Diego-based think tank.


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SPRINGTIME WITH THE VINTNERS: MEET 7 LOCAL WINEMAKERS APRIL 25 in ALPINE

April 22, 2009 (Alpine) – Here’s an appetizing event blossoming with opportunities: The Vine Wines Bar & Bistro has teamed up with Petunia & Pomegranate Nursery in Alpine to co-host Springtime with the Vintners. Savor an afternoon of wine, music, appetizers and art amid two picturesque venues this Saturday, April 25th, from 1 to 4 p.m.. Admission is $15.

 


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FILNER INTRODUCES BILL FOR FEDS TO PAY COSTS OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS AT BORDER ENTRIES

By Miriam Raftery April 18, 2009 (San Diego)—Congressman Bob Filner (R-San Diego) has introduced the “Save Our Border Communities Act, H.R. 670. The bill would require the federal government to reimburse costs for local police, firefighters and other first responders to provide services associated with U.S. ports of entry on the international border. “The federal government has not reimbursed border towns for border-related incidents and the drain on local emergency services is increasingly unbearable,” Filner stated in a newsletter to constituents.


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GROSSMONT UNION HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT TO HOST 23RD ANNUAL STUDENT ART EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION AND AWARDS CEREMONY

April 22, 2009 (El Cajon)-- In celebration of student achievement, the Grossmont Union High School District is hosting its 23rd annual Creative Visions student art exhibition at Westfield Shopingtown-Parkway Plaza. The event officially kicks off with an awards ceremony on Friday, May 1, 2009, at 5:30 pm.

Students will receive cash awards for artwork judged in the following categories: drawing, painting, jewelry, print-making, mixed media, experimental photography, digital imagery, general photography, sculpture and 3-D functional art.


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LIVE BUTTERFLY RELEASE, WILDLIFE EXHIBITS & MORE AT SAGE & SONGBIRDS FESTIVAL MAY 2-3 IN ALPINE

April 21, 2009 (Alpine)--The upcoming Sage & Songbirds Festival at Viejas Outlet Center, May 2-3, will be filled to capacity with vendors and exhibitors from throughout Southern California. In addition, prizes for this year’s opportunity drawings exceed the value of years past—including a grand prize of four tickets to Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park.


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SAN DIEGO ACLU SUIT CHARGES FBI & JUSTICE DEPT. WITH DODGING DOMESTIC SPYING FOIA: SEEKS IMMEDIATE PROCESSING OF FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUESTS

April 21, 2009 (San Diego)--The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department are illegally dragging their feet in responding to a Freedom of Information Act request seeking records from the Camp Pendleton domestic spying case sent in July 2008, according to a complaint filed late yesterday by the San Diego ACLU and the law firm Fish & Richardson The suit in U.S.


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BOULEVARD FIRE NOW EXTINGUISHED; FIRE VICTIM DECLINED AIR TRANSPORT; HELICOPTER DISPATCHED TO CRASH AT IN-KO-PAH

UPDATE 7:20 p.m. A fire that began in Boulevard earlier this evening has been extinguished, Cal-Fire confirms. Fire crews will remain on the scene for several hours dousing hot spots. The blaze caused $400,000 in damage. A fire victim refused air transport and has been transported to the burn unit at UCSD via ground transport. The helicopter was dispatched to aid victims of a rollover crash on I-8 at In-Ko-Pah. April 21, 2009 (5:50 p.m.) – A house fire in Boulevard that started at 5:35 p.m. has spread to surrounding vegetation and engulfed 1/8 of an acre.


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RESCUE TASK FORCE TO MERGE WITH WORLD EMERGENCY RELIEF

By Miriam Raftery April 20, 2009 (Carlsbad and El Cajon)– In an effort to provide more efficient and effective delivery of programs and services to help people worldwide, World Emergency Relief (WER) and Rescue Task Force (RTF), an El-Cajon based nonprofit organization, announce their merger following approval by the organizations' two boards of directors. The combined organizations will now move forward toward integration of the two nonprofit organizations into one corporate entity.


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SAGE & SONGBIRDS GARDEN TOUR: RAPTOR REHAB FACILITY INCLUDED ON THIS YEAR’S TOUR MAY 1-3

April 20, 2009( Alpine)--Are you looking for ideas to “spruce up” your garden or yard? The Sage & Songbirds Garden Tour has a wealth of ideas for creating beautiful gardens that also provide wildlife-friendly habitat. The 12th annual event, set for May 1-3, spotlights five unique gardens, chock-full of plants, waterscapes, pathways, structures and other very interesting features.


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BIRD SINGERS AND BASKET WEAVERS CELEBRATE OPENING OF NATIVE AMERICAN MUSEUM IN WARNER SPRINGS

By Miriam Raftery

Bird dancers demonstrate hand-made gourds at Warner Springs Native American museum.

--A broken song beneath the snow, the echo of a soaring joy, a shape in the mist, a touch, in the rain in wilderness you come again. You tell us what we used to know. You speak for all the free wild things whose ways were ours when the world had wings.—Bev Doolittle

April 20, 2009 (Warner Springs)- Inscribed on a wall in the new Outdoor Academic Experience (O.A.E.) Native American Museum in Warner Springs, the quote above reflects the rich cultural heritage and traditions of local Cahuilla, Luiseño, Cupeño and Kumeyaay tribes preserved and displayed here. To commemorate the museum’s grand opening on April 13, a trio of Native American bird singers performed traditional songs for visiting Girl Scouts from Troop 3125 and demonstrated gourd rattles which they crafted by hand.


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RSVP NOW! ON THE ROAD WITH THE EAST COUNTY EATER APRIL 20

What could be better than an evening of wine-tasting, fabulous food and the marvelous music of Paul Nichols--all to benefit East County Magazine? The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine is the coziest retreat we've found yet, and they're opening up just for us on Monday, April 20 from 6 to 8 pm. Reserve now – space is limited! Early bird registration rate is $25 before Friday. Then the rate goes up to $30 – if seats are still available. Help toast our success--and help our nonprofit community publication grow!


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EDITORIAL: PERSPECTIVES ON THE SDG&E POWER SHUT-OFF PLAN--RECIPE FOR A PERFECT FIRESTORM

by Laura Cyphert

East County Community Action Coalition


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ST CLAIR GALLERY SHOW DRAWS CROWD

Photographer Dan McGeorge poses with images of Arizona
canyons

April 15, 2009 (El Cajon) - A March 27 art show at the St. Clair gallery in
El Cajon proved a success, drawing hundreds of visitors and resulting in sales
for artists displaying their works.

“I’ve always loved horses,” said San Diego artist Melva Riley, who adeptly
captures the spirit and beauty of her subjects in a series of bold equestrian
paintings. Riley studied at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art and
later became an interior designer. Her artwork, featuring impressionistic scenes
of nature as well as animals, has been displayed in numerous galleries locally.


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HUNTER CALLS ON CONGRESS TO WITHHOLD FUNDS FOR GITMO CLOSURE; OBAMA RELEASES RECORDS CONFIRMING TORTURE ORDERED BY BUSH OFFICIALS

By Miriam Raftery

April 16, 2009 (Washington, DC) - U.S. Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-CA), a member of the House Armed Services Committee, has issued a statement opposing the Obama Administration's request for $30 million in supplemental funding for the closure of Guantanamo Bay.


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WELCOME RECEPTION MAY 5 FOR NEW GCCD CHANCELLOR: DEALING WITH BUDGET CRISIS A TOP PRIORITY

April 18, 2009 (El Cajon)--– Talk about a baptism by fire.
Dr.
Cindy L. Miles has started a new job as chancellor of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca
Community College District at a time of fiscal uncertainty amid what some economists
still expect to be the deepest recession in the modern era. Limited funding
by the state at a time of escalating enrollment and expanding costs presents
the college district with major fiscal challenges.


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SPRING GARDEN FESTIVAL’S “CONSERVATION IN BLOOM” HIGHLIGHTS WATER CONSERVATION, CULTURAL CONSERVATION, AND CUYAMACA COLLEGE’S BIGGEST PLANT SALE OF THE YEAR

Drawing to win a High-Efficiency Clothes Washer or Home Landscape Re-design April 18, 2009 (RANCHO SAN DIEGO)—On Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m,, Cuyamaca College’s campus will bloom with activity as three of its on-campus venues—the Ornamental Horticulture Department, the Water Conservation Garden,and the Heritage of the Americas Museum—invite the public to celebrate spring at their sixteenth annual Spring Garden Festival. “Conservation in Bloom” is the theme at this family festival that includes tips on green living, and both free admission and parking.


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LA MESA VILLAGE REVITALIZATION WORKSHOP

April 20, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Dr.

By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero La Mesa - Locals call the La Mesa Village the heart and soul of their hometown. Given this sentiment, the Village Revitalization Workshop on April 20 is a great opportunity for the community to share their thoughts for improvements to the Downtown Village.


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SAN DIEGO EARTH WEEK FEATURES NEW EVENTS IN 2009

GREEN JOBS FAIR AT SDSU AND A GREEN CITY LEADERSHIP FORUM ARE NEW THIS YEAR; EARTH FAIR KICKS OFF WEEK'S ECO-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES April 17, 2009 (San Diego)—Earth Day Week in San Diego kicks off with Earth Fair 2009 in Balboa Park on Sunday, drawing more than 70,000 visitors. Produced by 400 volunteers, EarthFair features more than 400 exhibitors, special theme areas, a Food Pavilion, a special Kids’ Activity Area, three entertainment venues, the Children’s Earth Parade, the Earth Gallery art show, and the Cleaner Car Concourse.


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TOP DOG: BERSIN NAMED BORDER CZAR BY OBAMA; BUT CAN HE TAKE A BITE OUT OF BORDER VIOLENCE?


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CHILD MOLESTER ARRESTED IN LA MESA

April 15, 2009 (La Mesa)—La Mesa police have arrested Garth Gumienny, 35, a convicted child molester found to be living with a young boy who he repeatedly molested. The child was the son of Gumienny’s roommate, according to La Mesa Police Captain Ed Aceves.


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YEE-HA! LAKESIDE RODEO APRIL 24-26

April 15, 2009 (Lakeside) The 45th annual Lakeside Rodeo has gained national exposure over the last 44 years, from a small hometown event to being named the International Professional Rodeo Association Rodeo (IPRA) of the year FOUR times! Events include bull-riding, bareback bronc, steer wrestling, team riding, and more. The annual Lakeside Rodeo held every April is the largest fundraiser for the El Capitan Stadium Association.


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A QUARTER CENTURY STRONG: LA MESA DEMOCRATS CELEBRATED 25th ANNIVERSARY; EMERALD STAFFER ADDRESSED COMMUNITY ISSUES

April 10, 2009 (La Mesa) – La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club celebrated its 25th anniversary with a celebration last week that included cake, a potluck dinner, recognition of key members and presentation by Councilwoman Marti Emerald’s chief of staff, Xema Jacobson. Special honorees included the club’s founding members, Claude Cassirer, a Holocaust survivor, and his wife, Beverly (photo).

 


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“STIMULUS CONCERT” HOSTED BY VALLEY MUSIC APRIL 19 IN EL CAJON

April 13, 2009 (El Cajon) – Valley Music invites the public to a “Stimulus Concert” on Sunday, April 19 at 3 p.m. at the Donwtown Café, 182 Main Street in El Cajon. The program features appearances by award-winning San Diego performers, including Eve Sells, Berkley Hart, Crosswinds, Ronny Corbin & Pirate Radio, Mark Neill & Rian Greene and the Unknowns, Tom Hiatt, The honky Tonk Kings, Bleu Dawg, and some surprise guests.


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FACING FORECLOSURE? NEED INFO ON HOME LOANS? GET HELP AT FREE HOMEOWNER PRESERVATION SEMINAR APRIL 18 IN SAN DIEGO

By Miriam Raftery April 13, 2009 (San Diego)—At a time when many lenders have evicted families and aggressively foreclosed on, one lender has taken a different approach, setting up a series of events to help families find ways to avoid foreclosure. On April 18th, Project Homeowner, a program to advise California homeowners facing foreclosure on how to keep their homes, will be held on April 18th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the San Diego Concourse, Golden Hall, 202 C Street in San Diego. The event is sponsored by JP Morgan Chase & Co.


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