May 11, 2010 (San Diego) – Starting this month, the State of California hopes to entice homeowners to replace their old water heaters with solar-powered systems. Under the California Solar Initiative Thermal Program, rebates up to $1,875 will be available for people who switch from natural gas or electric water heaters.

May 11, 2010 (Sacramento) -- The California Legislature recently approved a $10,000 tax credit for Californians purchasing qualified homes between May 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2010. The credit applies to people purchasing previously unoccupied homes and to first-time homebuyers purchasing re-sale homes.

May 11, 2010 (Santee) – At 9:48 this morning, a man believed to be the “geezer bandit” robbed the Bank of America at 9711 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

“He had a blue baseball cap and blue sport coat,” said Sergeant Tom Poulin, detective with the Santee Sheriff’s Department. A witness said the robber also had an oxygen tank.

Bills’ supporters say budget shortfalls will hurt economy, lead to crowded schools and disintegration of safety-net
 

May 10, 2010 (Sacramento) -- Legislators held a State Capitol News Conference to announce the introduction of a package of bills to close “fat cat tax” loopholes.

By Laura Cyphert

East County Community Action Coalition

At an April 2010 event at the East County Chamber of Commerce, Laura McDonald from SDG&E boldly stated that “there are not any fire risks with this project.”

It is not known if McDonald purposely intended to mislead San Diegans (or if she will someday be fined for misleading San Diegans), but what is known is that the “Fire and Fuels Management” section of the environmental impact report identifies numerous significant fire risks associated with the project, and even states that the project will “significantly increase the likelihood of catastrophic fires.”

May 10, 2010 (Sacramento) – By a unanimous vote and with broad bipartisan support, the Senate Committee on Education passed legislation on April 21 to ensure that California textbooks will not contain changes made in Texas. In March, the Texas State Board of Education approved extreme right-wing curriculum changes. Due to the number of public school students in the state, textbook manufacturers are expected to make changes that could drastically influence textbooks throughout the country.

May 10, 2010 (San Diego) – A Hispanic man in his early 20s was stabbed near San Diego State University following an altercation shortly after 3 a.m. on May 9th, San Diego Police report. According to police, words were exchanged between a group of Hispanic men and a group of white men walking in the 5200 block of Falls View in the east college area when a physical altercation ensued.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

May 10, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Fire gutted an apartment unit at 3613 S. Bonita in Spring Valley this evening, though a swift response by multiple fire agencies saved adjoining units.  Anxious residents, some in pajamas and one in a wheelchair, gathered outside as firefighters conducted a search of the building. No one was found inside and no injuries were reported.

“When I came home and opened the door, there was smoke,” said one occupant of the unit, who asked that his name not be published. “I broke open a fire extinguisher and saw a fire in a trashcan, then I called 911.” Four residents in his unit and a dog were displaced by the fire, he said.

VIP party honored achievements by local citizens and community leaders

By Miriam Raftery; photos by Julie Edwards

May 3, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – During a “Celebrate our Citizens” VIP party at Cuyamaca College on April 28, East County Magazine presented awards to honor local citizens’ achievements in five categories: Humanitarian, Community Organizing, Education, Business Leadership, Environmental Protection, and Community Heroes. In addition, a special award recognized Viejas Fire Chief Don Butz and the Viejas Fire Department for their efforts to keep our communities safe from wildfires.

The Straight-Up Truth About the Down Low

 By Joy Marie

 Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 9, 2009 (San Diego) -- While having dinner at a friend’s home this past Thanksgiving, my friend told me that her friend’s husband had left her after more than 30 years of marriage for a man that he had been having a homosexual relationship with for years. This occurrence, which seems to be more commonplace than previously thought, is the topic profiled in The Straight-Up Truth About The Down-Low, a book written two co-authors using the pseudonym Joy Marie.

A  column for East County wine and beer enthusiasts

16765 Bernardo Center Dr., San Diego CA 92128
(858) 673-7512; www.thebarrelroomsandiego.com

By J.J. Gold, guest columnist

April 7, 2009 (Rancho Bernardo)—Could a place that received both theWine Spectator 2009 award of excellence and the Wine Enthusiast 2008 award of distinction possibly live up to the hype? I headed off to the Barrel Room in Rancho Bernardo, determined to find out. Much to my delight, the wines that I sampled were both unusual and highly pleasing—and the food was equally delectable.

December 30, 2008 — (La Mesa) On December 29, a woman was arrested for charges stemming from a carjacking that occurred at Grossmont Center a week ago.   

San Diego County teachers recognized with thousands of "thank yous" from grateful parents, schoolchildren in contest sponsored by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement, Cox Communications and Channel 4

December 18,2008 (San Diego, CA) Campaign organizers are proud to announce the winners of the first-ever "I'm Thankful For My Teacher" Contest, hosted by Mission Federal Credit Union, Junior Achievement of San Diego, and Cox Communications and Channel 4 San Diego. Throughout the month of November, thousands of students throughout San Diego County took the opportunity to thank a teacher for all of the special things they do in their mission to educate local students and future generations. More than 3,850 postcards were turned in to recognize hundreds of teachers at 136 schools throughout San Diego County.

By Miriam Raftery

Growing concerns over food safety, environmental issues, health and desire to support our local economy have given rise to a new trend: consumers seeking out locally-grown and produced foods.

Sales of locally grown foods increased 25% in 2007 from $4 billion to $5 billion – and could hit $7 billion by 2011, according to a HealthFocus TrendScan report.  According to Packaged Facts, 69% of consumers surveyed agreed that local food is better for their personal health than food that has traveled across the country.  Buzzwords such as “food miles” the “slow food movement” and “locavore” (New Oxford American Dictionary’s 2007 word of the year) have entered the lingo.