June 28, 2011 (Scripps Ranch) – A brush fire at Scripps Ranch Blvd. and Carroll Canyon Road has burned two acres as of 3:25 p.m. A helicopter is now making a water drop and command has requested a brush engine response and arson investigators, Incident Page Network reports.

June 27, 2011 (Sacramento) – The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today issued an update to its preliminary incident report on two 16,000 pound Sunrise Powerlink towers dropped by an air crane earlier this month.

According to the updated report, a new air crane has been provided by the manufacturer, Erickson. The new helicopter has undergone test  transporting and lifting heavy loads, and has now been approved to resume construction activities in East County.

June 27, 2011 (Borrego Springs) – A motorcyclist traveling eastbound on State Route 78 this morning in Borrego Springs crossed the center lane after entering a curve. He struck the driver’s side of a BMW traveling westward, then skidded across the roadway.

June 25, 2011 (El Cajon) --Whether you're looking for swim lessons, youth sports, instructional classes or an exciting summer camp, El Cajon Recreation has it all! Log onto the website at www.elcajonrec.org to secure a spot for your child. Forgot your password? Just click on the "eRecreation" icon then "Forgot My Password".

Late Registration began June 6 which means registrations are accepted online, by mail or by walking into one of our Recreation centers during operation hours. For more information on instructional programs and general registration questions, call (619) 441-1516. For information on aquatics, call (619) 441-1672; and for information on youth sports, call (619) 441-1678. Our professional and dedicated Recreation Department staff will be happy to assist you. 

June 27, 2011 (La Mesa)  A 16-year-old boy was shot in the head early this morning at 1:49 a.m. after being robbed in front of 7366 El Cajon Boulevard. The victim is from Paradise Valley, Arizona, and was staying at a local La Mesa motel with his family.

The boy was riding his skateboard when the robbery and shooting occurred. The suspects took a personal item and a small amount of cash during the robbery.

by Shirley Clukey

June 24, 2011 (san Diego County) -- Dream Rider Equestrian Therapy in Alpine has room for six more ambulatory children between the ages of five and thirteen for its weekly therapeutic lesson program. Therapy pony Treasure takes children under 10 who weigh 100 pounds or less, especially younger children. She is also available for beginning riding lessons for able-bodied young children. Therapy pony Sailor can take children up to 13 who weigh less than 140 pounds.

Tricultural Pop Musician Carlos Olmeda Featured as Headliner

June 24, 2011 (El Cajon) --  World Music fans of all ages are invited to enjoy free acoustic music and dance, crafts for children, refreshments and more at the El Cajon Library’s Summer Music Festival, 201 E Douglas Ave, Saturday, June 25, from 1 – 6 p.m.  The festival will take place on the front lawn of the library, and is free and open to the public. A limited number of chairs will be provided, and attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets. 

June 23, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views.

 

Top global and national news stories include:

U.S.

• Obama announces Afghanistan troop withdrawl plan (CNN)
• House sets up Friday vote on limiting funding for Libya mission (The Hill)
• Leading house democrats say social security cuts are a nonstarter (The Hill)
• GOP hopefuls divided over anti-abortion pledge (NPR)

WORLD 

• U.S., other nations agree to release oil; prices fall (USA Today)
• Israeli  military begins to move West Bank barrier ( Jerusalem CNN)
• Climate change: public skeptical, scientists sure (NPR)
• Syria warns against outside influence (Sydney Morning Herald)
• Mexico urges inquiry as U.S. shoots man on the border (BBC)

County Seeks to Ensure Low-Income, Homebound Seniors Have Fresh, Local Produce

June 23, 2011 (San Diego) -- On Thursday June 15th, the County of San Diego is launched More on the Menu (MOM), a community-supported program that will deliver fresh, locally grown produce to the neediest of the County’s elderly home-delivered meal clients. Program recipients are homebound and unable to buy fruits and vegetables for themselves. The weekly bag of fresh produce will provide healthy snacks and supplement the nutritious lunch-time meal these older adults already receive.  

June 22, 2011 (San Diego)--SummerFest tickets are selling fast!  Join us June 26 at Mission Trails Regional Park for a  feast cooked up by Chefs de Cuisine, plus wine and beer tasting, live music, thousands of dollars in prizes and more -- all for just $25 ($20 if you buy 2 or more tickets) if you buy in advance online (at the door: $30 or two for $50).

Get tickets and prize list here: www.eastcountymagazine.org/summerfest-2011

Scroll down to view the juicy details of the full menu--then make plans to join us for this fabulous midsummer feast!

June 14, 2011 (Valley Center) -- The Key Creek Lavender Farm will be holding a Forage Dinner on June 25 at 6:30 p.m. This unique, five course dinner will serve local, organic vegetables grown at Morning Star Ranch, as well as fresh produce from other local organic farmers.  

June 22, 2011 (San Diego) -- Wildfires are increasing in both absolute number and severity in the American southwest and this trend is predicted to continue over decades to come. Wildfire prevention has now become a major priority, and scientists at the University of California, San Diego have received federal funding to devise descriptive and predictive simulation tools to help prevent or suppress wildfires. 

With a one-year grant* from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Cyberinfrastructure, effective June 1, the UC San Diego researchers have opened a new phase for their SDFireSight project. They will develop a technical framework and computer models that will simulate the conditions that can spark a wildfire in San Diego’s ‘backcountry’. 

June 21, 2011 (El Cajon) – “We had some uninvited guests last night drive right up to our front porch. Check out the great parking job,” Jim Symington stated in an e-mail sent to ECM and friends.

The accident occurred last night around 10 p.m. at the home of Jim and Nikki Symington on Tyrone Street in the Fletcher Hills neighborhood. The car also knocked down powerlines, taking down power to some 200 residences ,according to Incident Page Network.

June 21, 2011 (Santee) -- The Via Moto restaurant is now in Santee.  A  grand opening was June 15 for the 4,400-square-foot Via Moto restaurant in The Marketplace in Santee, California. According to Michael Pirraglia, owner and restaurateur, Via Moto is a new Italian dining concept that will feature an express section where diners can order at the counter, a full service bar and dining area for table service, and a vast selection of local and draft beer at the indoor/outdoor bar. The restaurant will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. in The Marketplace, at Mission Gorge Road and Carlton Oaks Boulevard.