PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: NORTHERN LIGHTS OVER EAST COUNTY

MOTHER'S DAY AT SHARP GROSSMONT HOSPITAL

TWO DEAD IN CRASH AFTER FLEEING FROM POLICE IN EL CAJON

CPUC PROPOSES REJECTING AT&T’S REQUEST TO WITHDRAW AS CARRIER OF LAST RESORT AND END LAND LINES, ALSO PLANS RULEMAKING PROCESS

HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR KEN SCHAFER

DR. WILMA J. WOOTEN HONORED WITH PRESTIGIOUS CALIFORNIA PUBLIC HEALTH AWARD

PROTESTS HELD AT LOCAL UNIVERSITIES OVER ISRAEL-GAZA WAR

COUNTY TO BUILD EAST REGION CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT AND RECOVERY BRIDGE IN EL CAJON

ARE YOU READY FOR WILDFIRES?

ANTI-SEMITIC FLYERS LITTER LA MESA—AGAIN

THE WORLD'S BIGGEST BOUNCE PARK IS IN EL CAJON THROUGH THE END OF JUNE

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

NAVA CALLS ON GOVERNOR TO SUPPORT OIL SEVERANCE TAX

 

California is the Only Top Ten Producing State Without a Tax
Texas Taxes = $14.33/barrel; California only gets $4.22/barrel

May 17,2010 (Sacramento) – Last week, as Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released an updated California Budget with massive cuts in services, Assemblymember Pedro Nava (D-Santa Barbara) called on the Governor to support his  Assembly Bill 1604, the Oil Industry Fair Share Act. The bill would create an 10 percent oil severance tax on each barrel of oil produced in California and generate over $1.5 billion in revenues to fund public safety, education, human services, and other vital programs.

“At a time when classrooms are becoming more crowded, when more and more people are losing their health insurance due to unemployment, and numerous programs affecting seniors, and the disabled are facing increased cuts, we cannot allow the oil industry to get a free ride in California,” said Nava, who is also a candidate for Attorney General. “These resources belong to the people of California and therefore should be used for the benefit of all our hardworking families.”

SPRING & SUMMER CLASSSES ANNOUNCED AT WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

Featuring Spanish Language Garden Tours, Ms. Smarty Plants™ Explores Plant Adaptations!, Straw Bale Construction Workshop, Introduction to Greywater Systems, Summer Extended Hours and Garden Discovery Camp!

 

May 17, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) —The Water Conservation Garden invites the public to enjoy its 2010 spring and summer events. Classes  help residents save water and money by focusing on water smart landscaping techniques and plants. Classes are taught by experts and topics include lawn removal, water-smart landscape design, backyard composting, irrigation design and gardening for children. Pre-registration is required for all classes. To enroll call 619-660-0614 x 10. For details, scroll down.

SYCUAN CASINO DONATES $20,000 TO IMPROVE DOWNTOWN EL CAJON

May 17, 2010 (El Cajon)--Sycuan Casino has made a $20,000 contribution to the El Cajon Community Development Corporation to further the organization’s economic development efforts in Downtown El Cajon. The firm’s donation will support two of the El Cajon CDC’s most popular community programs: the free weekly Cajon Classic Cruise car show which commences June 30, and the free weekly Concerts on the Green which commences June 25.

NAMING COMMITTEE FOR ALPINE'S NEW HIGH SCHOOL MEETS WED. 5 PM IN ALPINE: MEETING IS OPEN TO PUBLIC

 

May 18, 2010 (Alpine) -- A committee appointed by the Grossmont Union High School District to come up with naming suggestions for the district's 12th high school will meet Wednesday, May 19 at 5 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd.  

 

The District has failed to respond to East County Magazine's written request last week for at least 24 hours notification of the naming committee meeting, as is required by law under the Ralph M. Brown Act.  The GUHSD has drawn criticism from the Union-Tribune for loading up the naming committee with a majority of Republican politicians and party operatives in an apparent effort to push through a proposed Ronald Reagan High School name.

STARS SHINE AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE FOUNDATION FUNDRAISER

 

Diamond Sponsor Viejas also honored with special award

 

May 16, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – Huindreds turned out at the Cuyamaca College Foundation dinner last night to honor past presidents and raise money for student scholarships.

“This place has grown up. It’s a wonderful, beautiful campus that is fulfilling its role in our community,” said former Dr. Samuel Ciccati, one of four former presidents present at the event, titled “Shine On.”

REGION RECEIVES $8.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS FOR SECURITY MEASURES

 

 

May 16, 2010 (Washington, D.C). – U.S. Congressman Bob Filner has announced that San Diego and Imperial Counties will get more than $8.7 million for security preparedness. In San Diego, funds include protection of ports and public transit.

 

“It takes constant vigilance to be prepared and keep our country safe,” said Filner. “This money will go to keeping our critical infrastructure safe from terrorism, major disasters and other emergencies.”

10 CHILDREN INJURED IN SCHOOL BUS ACCIDENT AT GOLDEN ACORN CASINO

 

May 18, 2010 (Campo) – At least ten children have been injured in a collision this morning between a school bus and a light pole in the parking lot at Golden Acorn Casino on the Campo Indian reservation. Patients with injuries ranging from mild to moderate have been transported to Grossmont and Alvarado hospitals.

GOVERNOR PROPOSES TERMINATION OF WELFARE-TO-WORK AND DRASTIC CUTS IN SERVICES FOR SENIORS, DISABLED, & CHILDREN

 

Majority Vote Budget Initiative qualifies for ballot

How would you balance the budget? Take the Next10 budget challenge

 

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2010 (Sacramento) – Facing a budget deficit of over $20 billion, today Governor Schwarzenegger proposed deep new budget cuts.  The Governor proposes the complete elimination of the CAL-Works program (which will impact over 80,000 low-income parents and their children in San Diego County), slash in-home care for seniors and the disabled (including 23,000 seniors and disabled persons in San Diego County), and sharply cut funds for the Healthy Families program, among other drastic measures.

 

Hoping to end budget gridlock, teachers, firefighters and nurses last week joined together to submit more than 1.1 million signatures and qualify a Majority Vote Budget Initiative for the November 2, 2010 election.  “Late budgets hurt all Californians and the budget crisis is continuing to be the top issue in the state,” said Kay McVay, President Emeritus of the California Nurses Association, “This initiative will not end all of the gridlock, but it is a step in the right direction.”

RESIDENTS SQUAWK OVER PROPOSED CHICKEN RANCH DEVELOPMENT: FINAL HEARING MAY 19

Update May 20: Supervisors approved the Fuerte Ranch Estates project.
 

May 14, 2010 (Mt. Helix) – County Supervisors will vote Wednesday on whether or not to approve Reynolds Communities proposed Fuerte Ranch Estates development on the site of a former chicken ranch. Reynolds has scaled back initial plans from 76 to 36 homes on the 27-acre parcel adjacent to Damon Lane County Park at Fuerte Drive and Damon Lane.

 

The plan has ruffled feathers among many area residents, also raising hackles of East County planners.

WILL POWER REPORT: ROCK & HARD PLACE--MINERALS MANAGEMENT AGENCY


Nothing but the truth!

By Will Power

May 14, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- In the alphabet soup that makes up the Federal Government, few people have ever heard of the Minerals Management Service. But the MMS is well known to oil company executives, because for years it has operated as a sleeping watchdog while billions of dollars in taxpayer's money was pumped out the back door.

SDG&E ADDS PROPOSED SOLAR ENERGY PROJECT TO ITS PORTFOLIO FROM IMPERIAL COUNTY

 

Photovoltaic Facility Proposed by LS Power Could Deliver up to 130 Megawatts of Clean Energy to San Diego Across Planned Sunrise Powerlink

 

May 14, 2010 (San Diego)—San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) announced yesterday that it has signed a 20-year power-purchase agreement with an LS Power subsidiary to procure up to 130 megawatts (MW) of solar energy from the proposed Centinela Solar Energy facility in the Imperial Valley.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: "ROBIN HOOD" LESS THAN MERRY

 

By Brian Lafferty

May 14, 2010 (San Diego) -- Robin Hood is the year’s first big disappointment, considering the people involved in making it. Directed by Ridley Scott, it stars Russell Crowe as the title character and fine actress Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian. As always, Scott demonstrates his ability as one of the most visual directors out there today, teeming with expertly crafted shots that nearly give the film an epic feel. Crowe and Blanchett do not disappoint in the acting department. It is not a bad movie by any means but rather aggressively unsatisfying; to paraphrase Sean Connery from the 1976 film Robin and Marian, (a better film than this incarnation) instead of getting red meat I wound up settling for only bread and cheese.

 

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW….VINTAGE GOWNS & MORE AT SPARROW BRIDAL



May 13, 2010 (La Mesa) –La Mesa Chamber of Commerce hosted a ribbon-cutting and toasted with champagne this week to celebrate the grand opening of La Mesa’s newest business, Sparrow Bridal Boutique. 

 

But the dazzling wedding gowns, sparkling jewels and pearls aren’t all new. A chic boutique that’s ideal for the bride on a budget, Sparrow carries an array of both new and gently worn gowns, specializing in classic, vintage bridal wear.  The shop carriesdesigner-label dresses, traditional and bird cage veils, vintage and costume jewelry, fashionable purses, garters and other accessories. 

DUO ROBS WELLS FARGO BANK AT GROSSMONT CENTER

 


May 13, 2010 (La Mesa) – This evening at 5:13 p.m., a man and woman robbed Wells Fargo Bank in the Grossmont Center Mall. They used a demand note and threat of a gun during the robbery, obtaining cash before fleeing on foot.  

 

It was the third East County bank robbery in the past two days, though the events are not believed to be related.

EDITOR'S BLOG: GUHSD COMMITTEE SHOULD CHECK REAGAN RECORD ON NATIVE AMERICAN ISSUES BEFORE NAMING ALPINE HIGH SCHOOL FOR FORMER PRESIDENT



By Miriam Raftery

 

"Your comments about American Indians indicate that your knowledge about us, and about the historical relationship between Indian governments and the United States, is lacking to the point of being shameful." -- American Indian Movement of Colorado, in an open letter to President Ronald Reagan, 1988

 

May 13, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine's Native American tribal members were not invited to serve on a committee to recommend a name for Alpine’s planned new high school. A Union-Tribune editorial published during  debate over whether to build a 12th high school observed, “The Viejas and Sycuan Indian tribes consider Alpine to be their community. The tribes fully understand how important education is…They are important allies to have when taking on a forgetful district bureaucracy.”

BANK ROBBED IN LAKE MURRAY AREA; BOMB THREAT MADE

 

May 13, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Shortly after noon yesterday, a tall man wearing a white, stretchy mask passed a demand note to a teller at Chase Bank on Navajo Road near Lake Murray. He claimed to have a bomb and threatened to detonate it with a hand-held device resembling a cell phone.

CONCERT SERIES UNVEILED FOR DREAMCATCHER AT VIEJAS

 

May 12, 2010 (Alpine)  – The DreamCatcher at Viejas Casino in Alpine announces a concert lineup featuring musical styles ranging from country to jazz, as well as rock, rhythm and blues. 

 

The series includes country legend Merle Haggard and other musical stars such as the Temptations, as well as a two-woman show, Vicki Lawrence and Mama, inspired by characters from the Carol Burnett TV comedy show.

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