By Miriam Raftery

April 8, 2011 – Today is the deadline for Congress to approve a budget, or have the government shut down. But leaders in both major political parties say they are at an impasse. According to today’s Washington Post, “They can’t even agree on what they are disagreeing over.”

What are the issues, and how might you be impacted? 

April 7, 2011 (San Diego's East County) ---A cold storm system from western Canada will impact our area Friday morning through Saturday afternoon, the National Weather Service predicts.

Rain and mountain snow are expected to begin early Friday morning and continue throughout the day. Cold air aloft with increase thunderstorm potential late in the day.

Popular chef/cookbook author’s new eatery opens today
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Not every new restaurant parks a tractor outside. But for Jeff Rossman, executive chef and owner of Terra American Bistro, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to supporting local farmers.

“East County needs a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and supporting local growers, artisans and families,” says Rossman, who is also the author of the new cookbook, From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms.”

SDSU Athletics

April 7, 2011 (San Diego)--The San Diego State track and field team will split its squad this weekend, sending student-athletes to both UCLA and Arizona State for the Rafer Johnson/Jackie Joyner Kersee Invitational and Sun Angel Track Classic.

Calls for bipartisan effort needed to strengthen Social Security

April 5, 2011 (Washington D.C.)—The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) today issued sharp criticism of the budget proposed by House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan and backed by House Republicans.

Nancy A. LeaMond, executive vice president of AARP, said the Republican proposal to reduce the deficit “lacks balance and would result in a large cost shift to current and future retirees. The Chairman’s proposal, rather than tackling skyrocketing health care costs, would simply shift these costs onto the backs of people in Medicare,” she warned. “It would undermine Medicare’s promise of secure health coverage—a guarantee that future seniors have contributed to through a lifetime of hard work.”

Event showcases ornamental horticulture nursery and water conservation garden

April 6, 2011 (Rancho San Diego)--A garden party of sorts is on tap Saturday, April 9, at Cuyamaca College, but don’t expect cucumber sandwiches, tea, and the soothing strains of Pachelbel’s Canon in D at this event. Instead, an international food court, a “bug zone,” and petting zoo for kids, a plant sale, horticulture demonstrations, arts and crafts vendors and exhibitors, and much more is in store at the 18th Spring Garden Festival, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

April 6, 2011 (Lemon Grove) – Frieda Molina, 97, died March27 of congestive heart failure. A pillar of the Lemon Grove Historical Society and owner of one of Lemon Grove's most historic homes, she will be memorialized on April 8 at 11 a.m. at Lemon Grove Lutheran Church, 2055 Skyline Drive, Lemon Grove.

pril 6, 2011 (San Diego) – Col. Ann Wright, one of the nation’s most prominent peace activists, will speak this evening from 7-9 p.m. at San Diego State University in Hepner Hall 100.

Wright spent 13 years in the U.S. Army and 16 additional years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a Colonel. On March 19, 2003, the eve of the U.S invasion of Iraq, she cabled a letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell, stating that without the authorization of the UN Security Council, the invasion and occupation would be a violation of international law. Since then, she has been writing and speaking out for peace.

April 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County, published in other media.

Story and photos by Jeremy Los

April 5, 2011 (Ramona) -- Nestled in the mountains of Ramona, Mt. Woodson golf course offers up picturesque views, as well as a challenging layout. Seen as one of the county’s more visually appealing golf courses, Mt. Woodson golf course carries plenty of bite to coincide with the beautiful scenery.

April 5, 2011 (San Diego's East County) – SoccerNation.com, which provides Southern California’s most in-depth coverage of recreational, competitive and professional soccer, will soon add indoor soccer  reporting through a partnership with Sportsplex, which has indoor soccer facilities in Santee and Poway.  

April 5, 2011 (La Mesa)  At 8:30 a.m. today, a 14-year-old boy was punched in the face three times and his necklace and hat were taken by two suspects aboard a trolley in La Mesa. The robbery occurred while the victim and suspects were riding eastbound on the MTS Trolley between the Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard stations.

About 5,000 students will be unable to get the classes they need
Even worse cuts may be on horizon in what Chancellor calls a “true budget Armageddon”

District Partners with Borrego Solar and CCSE to deploy 290 Kw solar system at  Nat L. Eggert Operations Center

April 4, 2011 (El Cajon)--Helix Water District has activated a 290 kilowatt (KW) solar photovoltaic (PV) system at the Nat L. Eggert Operations Center (OC) in El Cajon. The zero-emission system was deployed through a partnership with Borrego Solar Systems, Inc. and the California Center for Sustainable Energy (CCSE).

To celebrate, the District hosted a ribbon-cutting event for the new system on March 30th.

By Russell Buckley

March 31, 2011 (La Mesa)--"Today's benefit structure for public employees is unrecognizable from the design, funding structure and goals of the original 1932 version. Instead of retirement security, the public pension became a wealth generator. Initially, state workers retiring at age 65 could expect retirement income at roughly half of their final compensation, based on an average salary earned during their last five years of employment. The retirement formulas and benefits began ratcheting up in the 1940's and never stopped. California's pension plans are dangerously under funded, the result of overly generous pension promises, wishful thinking and an unwillingness to plan prudently. Unless aggressive reforms are implemented now, the problems will get far worse, forcing counties and cities to severely reduce services and layoff employees to meet pension obligations."

The words above are taken from the 50 or so pages of the Little Hoover Commission Report released last month. The report is about the State at large - but its words apply so accurately to La Mesa that it seems to be talking about us.