By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2013 (Washington D.C.) – A spending bill passed by the House has drawn fire over its efforts to eliminate funds for healthcare reforms. But a less well publicized clause could also pose risks to human health by banning federal courts from stopping sale of genetically modified seeds, preventinglawsuits even if their products cause harmful health effects or harm small farmers, such as by contaminating organic foods.  

The law has been dubbed the “Monsanto Protection Act” by consumer groups and a petition has been launched asking the Senate to eliminate the special interest language protecting the biotech industry at the expense of consumers and small farmers.

By Paul Kruze

It has been said that the opera isn’t over until the fat lady sings.  Those who had hoped El Cajon’s East County Performing Arts Center would be open by December may have a bit more waiting to do until the proverbial fat lady sings.

While El Cajon City Councilman Gary Kendrick had set a target date of December 1, 2013 for the much anticipated reopening of the theater which has been shuttered for nearly three years, it may be at least another year until the curtain opens and the stage lights come on.

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2013 (Sacramento) – Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law AB 1371, which requires drivers of motor vehicles to allow at least three feet when passing a bicycle on a highway traveling in the same direction, under most circumstances.

An exception is made if a driver is unable to allow three feet due to traffic or roadway conditions, such as a very narrow road, bad weather, poor visibility, or road surface conditions.   In such cases, the driver must slow down to a speed that is “reasonable and prudent” and may pass only when doing so would not endanger the safety of the bicyclist.

September 23, 2013 (Poway) – The Tournament of the Phoenix returns to the Poway Rodeo Grounds, 14336 Tierra Bonita Road, Poway on October 18.  Knights in shining armor astride gorgeously caparisoned chargers, the crack of shattered lances, the flash of swords, live music and food will fill the weekend.

September 23, 2013 (Descanso) – The 23^rd Annual Mountain Bike Benefit Ride is October 6 beginning at 8 a.m. at Los Vaqueros Group Camp at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, Hwy 79.  The event is a fundraiser for the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Interpretive Association which assists the State Park with trail building, maintenance and interpretive projects to benefit the public.

By David Ross

(originally published September 6, 2013 at the Valley Center Press).

While being clueless isn’t a prerequisite for earning an MBA, it’s a good start.

I had my introduction to the global economy during the first week in December of 2012 when a new owner purchased The Roadrunner after it had been owned and operated by Dale & Shirley Good for nearly 20 years. Before that it had been owned by a consortium of five owners after being founded in 1974 by Van Quackenbush, who brought me on board in 1984. I edited the publication for about 27 years.

The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China, by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson, III (The Stevenson Family, 2009, 299 pages).              

Book Review by Dennis Moore            

  “Once a man holds public office he is absolutely no good for honest work.” --Will Rogers

September 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-- The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China  is a guide-- a road map for future politicians authored by Adlai E. Stevenson III.  He  laments changes in the electoral process and the loss of civility in politics, also speaking of opportunities in politics being limited by money and a media which restricts comments to one or two minutes while focusing on the game, the trivial and the sensational.

The book began as a brown loose-leaf binder in which the author ‘s great-grandfather, Adlai E. Stevenson  (1835-1914), collected anecdotes and maxims, stories and sayings during his life as a county prosecutor, congressman, assistant postmaster general and U.S. vice president under Grover Cleveland. His grandson, known to friends and family as “the Guv,” expanded the collection in a large black binder during his life as an official in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.  

  By Ariele Johannson

September 21, 2013 (Lemon Grove) The City of Lemon Grove and Lemon Grove Historical Society invites the public to a Grand Opening Party on the Main Street Promenade on Friday evening, Sept. 27  from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. This hometown event celebrates the completion of the Pioneer Modernism Park at the Main Street Promenade and the welcomes Lemon Grove’s newest neighbors from Citronica One, the brand new colorful and modernistic residential and business structure recently completed near Highway 94 and the Lemon Grove Trolley Station.

“Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow” is the name chosen for the Pioneer Modernism Park, as it evokes Lemon Grove’s history. Visitors can view the new wonderful installations at the park, such as the wind spire, tractor slide, mosaics, charming seats, and windmill. Visitors are encouraged to bring the children, friends and colleagues to enjoy dancers, singers, jugglers, and magicians; to play in contests of hula hoop, jump rope, bubble blowing and whistling; and to enjoy free cookies and lemonade, and much more.

September 19, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Four children and two adults are staying with family members temporarily after an attic fire damaged their two-story home at 930 Prescott Avenue in El Cajon this afternoon. 

Quick action by fire crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon and La Mesa, along with firefighters from Cal Fire, kept the fire from reaching neighboring homes.  Heartland Fire reports the fire was knocked down in less than 20 minutes.   The damage was mostly to the attic and roof area.

September 19,2013 (Alpine)—Friday the 13th proved lucky at Viejas Casino & Resort, where three  Guinness world records were set on September 13 th in celebration of the casino’s 22nd anniversary.

“It’s a challenge, a difficult,” Guinness Book of World Records adjudicator Philip Roberts said after Viejas employees and guests teamed up to open 639 bottles of wine simultaneously.  This broke the old record set in Las Vegas of 474. 

Those gathered went to set another world record for most people giving high fives in one place:  684.  The former record (405) was held by the United Arab Emirates, Roberts announced as the crowd cheered.

September 19, 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

• Clean energy projects ‘harm’ environment in U.S. (Al Jazeera - includes focus on local projects)
• San Diegans raising money to help Mexico flood victims (10 News)
• Filner gave raises on way out (U-T San Diego)
• How Donna Frye, Marco Gonzalez and Cory Briggs ended Bob Filner’s political career - For the first time, the trio of progressives talk in detail about why they did what they did (CityBeat)
• County responds to winery complaints (Ramona Sentinel)
• SANDAG: Releasing data could be deadly (U-T San Diego)
• Making A Difference In The Lives Of San Diego's Fatherless Teens (KPBS)
• Bo-beau La Mesa gets a head chef (La Mesa Today)
• Helix Water mulls over future of Lake Jennings (U-T San Diego)

STATE

• Water Unaffordable To Some In San Joaquin Valley (KPBS)
•  Calif. utility agrees to $1.8M wildfire settlement (Sacramento Bee)
• Bill Would Give Law Licenses To Undocumented Immigrants (KPBS)

Click "read more" and scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.

September 19, 2013 (San Diego) – Dear EarthTalk: What is the new documentary film A Fierce Green Fire about and what does the title refer to?                                                                           

-- Gloria Howard, Washington, DC

A Fierce Green Fire is a new film documenting the rise of the modern environmental movement from the 1960s through the present day. It premiered at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and will be playing at select theaters across the country beginning in September 2013. Educators, environmental groups and grassroots activists also will be showing the film at small and large events from coast to coast over the course of the fall. Written and directed by Mark Kitchell, Academy Award-nominated director of Berkeley in the Sixties, A Fierce Green Fire (the film) is based on the 1993 book of the same name by environmental journalist Philip Shabecoff.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2013 (San Diego) -- Over 100 San Diegans will gather outside the Federal Building downtown on Saturday to call on President Obama to reject a permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline, which would carry tar sands oil from Canada to Texas for refining and export. San Diego’s event is one of roughly two hundred “Draw the Line” events planned around the country, part of a nationwide day of action sponsored by 350.org and other climate action groups.

President Obama has said he would approve completion of the 1,700-mile pipeline from Alberta to Gulf Coast refineries only if it would not “significantly exacerbate” carbon pollution, adding that the pipeline’s net effects on the climate would be “absolutely critical” to his decision. 

350.org contends that the pipeline would increase pollution by the equivalent of adding 9 million cars to the highways, also creating water pollution and other problems.

September 18, 2013 (San Diego ) – On September 26, the Green Experts Academy presents a panel focused on green jobs, the clean tech sector development, renewable energy, climate mitigation, solar and the vision for America’s Finest Green City.  Participants include mayoral candidates David Alvarez, Nicole Capretz, Office of Interim Mayor Todd Gloria, Deanna Sphen, Office of Assembly Majority Leader Toni Atkins, and other green experts.