December
18, 2008 — Are you an Energy All-Star? Take credit for your green efforts
and submit a nomination for the 5th Annual San Diego Excellence in Energy (SANDEE)
Awards.
The SANDEE Awards recognize outstanding projects and activities that have
achieved significant energy efficiency or energy conservation savings, implemented
renewable energy and reduced CO2 emissions in San Diego County.
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Education leaders at ECM's holiday party (left to
right): Henri Migala, executive dean, Cuyamaca College, Alan Ridley,
Student Services Specialist, Cuyamaca College, Mary Kay Rosinski,
board member, Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District, and Doug Dean, education
chair, East County Chamber of Commerce with musician Gene Warren.
December 15, 2008 (La Mesa) — It was a leap
of faith to host a VIP holiday party as the upstart publisher in town. Being
a big believer in the "if you build it, they will come" philosophy, however,
we didn't pause to worry about that nagging little fear: what if no VIPs
showed up? Fortunately, the result was quite the opposite!
More than 70 VIP guests attended our holiday soiree, where dozens of
community leaders mixed and mingled with our writers, editors, webmaster,
donors and supporters. It's amazing to think how far we've come
in just three months--attracting over 485,000 visits to our website and
now, a party guest list that reads like a Who's Who of East County!
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Stoney Stone and his Wife.
Photo Credit: Leon Thompson
December 10, 2008 (Alpine) — Community members from throughout East County
gathered at the Viejas Dreamcatcher Lounge for a holiday party and auction
to help needy families locally. In addition, community leaders paid tribute
to B.W. "Stoney" Stone, founder of Stoney's Kids and long-time organizer of
the East County Toy & Food Drive.
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Story and photos by Miriam Raftery; videos by Leon Thompson and Rob Constantine.
December
21, 2008 (San Diego's East County) — "When I first had my stroke, I couldn't speak or move my right side. I couldn't
walk," recalled Austin Junkin, 80, of Lemon Grove. "Now I can do anything. I
lift 100 pounds with ease," he said, demonstrating his physical prowess by
hoisting weights above his head inside the Challenge Center at Sunset Park
in La Mesa.
Challenge Center isn't any ordinary gym. The facility specializes in
helping severely disabled patients, including those with spinal cord and traumatic
brain injuries, attain dramatic improvements even after other physical therapy
programs have failed. View
Video.
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December 11, 2008 (San Diego) — CAL FIRE will reduce
staffing to winter preparedness levels in Southern Califiornia to address a
one-time $6.3 million budget
crisis.
"This means additional seasonal employees will be laid off for a total of 17
weeks from mid-December to mid April, 2009 which is the lowest risk wildfire
period according to historical data," Captain Nick Schuler, public information
officer for CAL FIRE's San Diego unit, stated in a media advisory issued this
morning.
In 2004, 20 additional fire engines were added in Southern California to implement
year round staffing. This plan allows for staffing only five of those
additional engines for the December to April period.
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December 4, 2008 (Poway) — San Diego County
Crime Stoppers is joining forces with San Diego County Sheriff's Department's
Poway detectives to help identify and apprehend the suspects responsible for
burglarizing a jewelry store. The suspects' vehicle was caught on store
surveillance video.
On November 11, 2008 at about 6:00 a.m., two suspects stole about $100,000
worth of jewelry from Phillips Jewelers jewelry store, located at 14857 Pomerado
Road in Poway while another suspect waited in a vehicle in the parking lot. The
suspects gained entry into the jewelry store by breaking into the adjoining
business and then breaking through an interior wall.
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Partnership promotes benefits of cranberries During
the Month of December
December 3, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — San
Diego-based Souplantation, voted one of "America's Healthiest
Restaurants" by Health magazine, has formed a partnership with the Cranberry
Marketing Committee (CMC), a committee established by the federal government
that works to promote and inform the public about the benefits of U.S. cranberries.
Souplantation restaurants will also feature several cranberry-filled recipes
on their December menu to celebrate the partnership.
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Rev. Canon Mary Moreno-Richardson, coordinator for Hispanic Ministry in the Diocese of San Diego speaks as other panelists are attentive during the National Communication Association's 94th Annual Convention, "unCONVENTIONal" at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 22.
Dec 1, 2008 (San Diego) — Spirits ran high in higher education during the National Communication Association's 94th Annual Convention at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego Nov. 21-24. Titled the "unCONVENTIONal," the convention held concurrent sessions on eight levels of the hotel.
The Nov. 22 Urban Communication Foundation Spotlight Panel session discussed issues pertinent to the region including democratic processes, activism, infrastructure and sustainability--at times sparking heated controversy. The five largest issues affecting the region are growth, borders, water, climate, and economy or housing, said Peter Andersen, professor at San Diego State University's School of Communication and environmental community commentator for Channel 10.
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December 7, 2008 (San Diego) — Poverty is fueled by scarcity. In San Diego County, scarcity of affordable housing and high paying jobs are causing hardship for many citizens, with some East County communities among the hardest hit.
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December 6, 2008 (San Diego) — Before you buy children's toys this holiday season, be aware that many toxic toys have NOT been removed from store shelves. Here's what you need to know to avoid these toys harmful products.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, toys containing toxic phthalates are supposed to be banned starting on February 10, 2009. But the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is saying that stores can continue to sell down their inventories as long as they were manufactured before the February deadline.
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December 4, 2008 — Less than a year after being recalled
by a two-to-one margin, former Potrero Planning Group Chairman Gordon Hammers
has been re-elected to the board. Hammers' victory, though surprising to many, appears to
signify a healing in this small rural community split first by controversy
over Blackwater and later by the Harris Wildfire that devastated the region.
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The
Grossmont College Adult Reentry Program will host "Get Your Life on Track,"
a free informational meeting for adults interested in retraining for new jobs
and careers, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9, at the college's
Griffin Gate at the Student Center near Parking Lot #7. Reservations are not
required.
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December 2, 2008 (Otay Mesa) -- Senator Barbara Boxer announced today that a new port of entry will be developed two miles east of the current Otay Mesa border crossing, a project she and Senator Diane Feinstein pushed through the Administration.
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December 2, 2008 (EL CAJON) Public forums are scheduled for Dec. 10 and 11 for two finalists seeking the position of GCCCD chancellor. The finalists are
Dr. Cindy Miles, president of the Hialeah Campus of Miami Dade College in Florida,
and Dr. Mark Zacovic, interim vice president of administrative services for
the Pasadena Area Community College District.
The district is seeking a new chancellor because of Dr. Omero Suarez's plans
to retire from the district next spring after more than a decade at the district's
helm.
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Coalition to stop Sunrise Powerlink has 78,000 members, organizers report; protest song implores Cleveland National Forest supervisor to save forest, block Powerlink
By Miriam Raftery
May 31, 2009 (Lakeside) – Mountain Echo gave a debut performance of their new Powerlink protest song during a fundraiser at the Hazy Meadow ranch yesterday. East County Magazine has the exclusive videotape of the song performed at the event, where more than 350 people gathered in opposition to the high-voltage powerlines proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric Co. View it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mwSZZ9zzxg
The protest song calls on William Metz, supervisor of the Cleveland National Forest, to “stop this shameful mess.” For the project to be built, Metz must first approve the final segment of Sunrise Powerlink through Cleveland National Forest.
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December 1, 2008 (East San Diego County) — Terry Ryan, former superintendent of the Grossmont Union High School District, died November 24 at his home in
Rancho Bernardo. Battling brain cancer, Ryan resigned from his position
at the GUHSD 18 months ago.
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November 23, 2008 (La Mesa) — Should the site of La Mesa’s Police Station
be sold to the La Mesa Community Redevelopment Agency and turned into a housing
project?
La Mesa’s City Council will consider this issue on Tuesday, November
25th. The hearing begins at 7:00 p.m. The property is zoned “Civic
Center” in both the General Plan and in the Village Specific Plan.
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ECM has searched high and low to find the most under-reported important national and state news stories that may impact you or your family. Here are our picks:
AARP order investigation concerning its marketing (of deceptive healthcare plans sold to seniors)
UC Could Cut Enrollment
UC may cut some admission requirements
Arraignments set for Cheney, Gonzales in Texas
Health insurers offer to accept all applicants—with conditions
New rules would discount global warming as risk factor for endangered species
Read on for some surprising details:
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homeless sleeping next to the U.S.S. Midway aircraft
carrier museum, Downtown San Diego
With all the vehicles on the streets of America sporting those little yellow “Support
Our Troops,” ribbons, it is truly ironic that we have more than 200,000
veterans who are homeless. But not many Americans realize it.
Mark Schulze and Patty Mooney, of Crystal Pyramid Productions, a San Diego
video production company, shot footage at the 20th anniversary of Stand Down
in 2007 for the Veterans Administration (VA). Stand Down is a three-day
event that allows homeless veterans to come in off the streets for a shower,
hot meals and a change of clothing.
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Event Raises More Than $600,000 for New Robotic Surgery Program
November 15, 2008 (SAN DIEGO) — Grossmont Hospital Foundation
hosted its Carnevale di Venezia Annual Gala on Saturday, Nov. 1, at
the Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina to help raise money for Sharp Grossmont
Hospital. The event netted more than $600,000 dollars, which will support
the hospital’s new da Vinci® Robotic Surgery program.
The Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Nation formally presented the hospital with
a $300,000 contribution during the event, as the tribe’s chairman,Daniel
J. Tucker, made the announcement.
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"Do you think the victims of the fires of 2003 & 2007 be allowed
to go
homeless?" asks Randy Seol of the musical group Strawberry Alarm Clock.
This Saturday, November 8 from 3 to 8 p.m., Seol is organizing a benefit
fundraiser to meet and hear musical groups slated to perform at a benefit
concert next March.(The concert was originally set for October 4th but was
postponed due to permit issues.)
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State workers in East County struggle to cope with prospect of huge pay cuts, lay-offs; Judge orders Sept. 12 hearing on Governor’s wage-slashing orders
By Miriam Raftery Photos by Aida Canonizado
November 4, 2008 (El Cajon)--Mildred Scarber, a state employee who works at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in El Cajon, was shocked to learn that Governor Schwarzenegger has ordered all state employees’ pay rates slashed to the federal minimum wage: just $6.55 an hour.
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Democratic voter registration volunteers cheer as Party
Chair Jess Durfee announces San Diego County now has more registered Democrats
than Republicans.
NOVEMBER
2, 2008 (San Diego) — “We have, after 24 years, returned San Diego
County to the blue column,” San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman
Jess Durfee announced at a press conference today.
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La Mesa Council holds hearing Nov. 5 on proposal to erect cell phone tower in Lake Murray area
By Miriam Raftery
When Mom asked me to look into possible health hazards posed by cell phone panel antennas that a church in her neighborhood wants to put up, I expected to find reassuring facts to allay Mom’s concerns. Instead, I found deeply disturbing data that makes me wonder why the public is not being informed about health risks—and why our government seems intent on covering up troubling truths.
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Why does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry
By Miriam Raftery
Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future.
November 2, 2008 (San Diego) — San Diego County stretches 65 miles from north to south, and 86 miles from east to west, covering 4,261 square miles. We are the sixth largest County in America, with a population over 3.1 million people. So why do we only have one early voting location, at the Registrar of Voters office, which is a two-hour drive from some portions of the County? And why must people wait four or more hours to vote once they arrive?
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November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) - It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution here in La Mesa, where demand from hungry people seeking food has leaped 103% this quarter. Volunteers also picked up fresh produce and staples from Albertson’s and are setting up tables. Distribution starts at 9:00 a.m. It’s chilly. Many are camped out in chairs, huddled with blankets, surrounded by retractable shopping carts, canvas and plastic bags, bins, cardboard boxes, even laundry baskets with which to carry food home. If they have a home. It’s a long wait.
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October 27, 2008 (Campo) - The cause of the Shockey Fire,
which burned approximately 400 acres on October 15, will likely never be conclusively
determined, California Fire and Forestry (Cal Fire) officials informed East County Magazine’s
editor during a recent visit at Campo’s fire station.
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The
race: Four candidates are running for two seats on the Grossmont-Cuyamaca
College Board of Trustees. Challengers Mary Kay Rosinski and Moe Bakeer
face off against incumbents Tim Caruthers and Bill Garrett, board president. ECM
interviewed Rosinski, Caruthers and Garrett; Bakeer did not respond to interview
requests.
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City faces low reserves; bond rating, city jobs at stake if measure
fails to pass
By Kristin Hobbs Kjaero
The proposition
Proponents call it the “Vital City Services Measure,” and opponents
call it a “Pension Tax.” The impartial ballot analysis identifies
it as a “general tax,” which means revenue would go into La Mesa’s
general fund and “the City would not be legally bound to use this tax
revenue for any special purpose or for any specifically identified special
services, facilities or programs.”
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Editor's Note: Military authorities declined to speak with East County Magazine regarding this story. We also requested permission to interview veterans at Balboa Naval Hospital to obtain a diverse range of views on conditions in mlitary service. Our request was denied.
October 18, 2008 (San Diego)--Army intelligence officer Selena Coppa has risked her freedom to speak out. “One of my soldiers died. He had PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome),” she said. “It was ignored.”
After she revealed the truth about the soldier’s death, Coppa told East County Magazine, her commanding officer threatened her. “He said if he’d known what I was going to do, he would have put me in Walter Reed in the mental ward and made sure I never got out. Then what would happen to my little girl?”
Coppa and Hess accuse the U.S. government and military officers of neglecting soldiers with serious mental health problems and of fostering a climate of intimidation against those who speak out.
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