January 2013 Articles

MASKS AND BEADS HERALD MARDI GRAS SUNDAY UCCLM FEB. 10

January 13, 2013 (La Mesa) -- Tradition holds that Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) ushers in the reflective season of Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, February 13th.  The United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) will be celebrating that tradition on Sunday, February 10, 2013 with a Mardi Gras Sunday worship service. The public is invited to dress up (carnival masks and beads welcome!) and join in this service celebrating the joy of faith.  Music – from “Just a Closer Walk” to “When the Saints Go Marching In!” will highlight both the 8:30am (in Friendship Hall) and 10:00am (in the Sanctuary) services.


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SAN DIEGO RESTAURANT WEEK IS JANUARY 13 - 18

 

January 13, 2013 (San Diego) – San Diego Restaurant Week runs January 13 – 18 and has a strong showing of East County Restaurants.  Offerings vary from two-course lunches offered at $10, $15 & $20 to three-course dinners priced at $20, $30 & $40.  No tickets or passes are required and you may dine at as many participating restaurants as you like.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: JUDGE THE MAYOR BY HIS ACTIONS

By David Smichowski

January 13, 2013 (San Diego)--Regarding the saga of the Filner foibles as per our Mayor's temperament in being a political leader: So our Mayor is again dusting it up in San Diego's local arena, this time with the City Attorney and fellow Democratic Councilman Todd Gloria. In philosophical parlance, the hysterical personality being those stigmatized souls overcome with emotion, are most often viewed as being associated with truth. Not to mention the so-called myth of control so hypocritically misunderstood in our society.  Mayor Filner's emotions with regard to governing our fine city ought to be judged in context to all of our moral and ethical contradictions.

Mr. Filner saved my home from foreclosure, saved my Father's VA pension, called me at home to offer help when he was in Congress and got me elected to the local Democratic County Committee.


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ESCONDIDO MAN SHOT AFTER PULLING GUN ON POLICE OFFICER IN THEATER AT CARMEL MOUNTAIN RANCH

January 13, 2013 (San Diego)--San Diego Police Department homicide detectives are investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred inside a movie theater in Carmel Mountain Ranch.

Officers responded at 2:22 p.m., Saturday to a radio call of a domestic violence incident occurring in a parking lot at a shopping center in the 11100 block of Rancho Carmel Drive.  Officers arrived to find the suspect had fled the scene.  Witnesses described seeing the suspect, who was armed with a handgun, run across Rancho Carmel Drive to another shopping center.


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PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: SNOW FALLS IN JACUMBA

January 12, 2012 (Jacumba) -- This week's winter storm brought an unusual treat for residents of Jacumba, elevation 2850: snow!  Danielle Cook took these photos outside Jacumba Hot Springs, where a light dusting of snow blanketed the area.  Don't rush out to visit, though -- it's already melting away in the mid-day sun.


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READER’S EDITORIAL: SHADE OUR HIGHWAYS WITH SOLAR: SAVE OUR BACK COUNTRY!

By Adrienne Niver, Lakeside

January 11, 2012--(San Diego’s East County)-- I keep reading about the industrial solar projects and keep thinking about how much better (greener) it would be if our state would put "a very tall roof" over many miles of our highways and freeways and then cover them with solar panels (tall enough for the absolute tallest vehicle that would ever go on the freeway.)

Most people think of freeways as utilitarian structures, and nothing more. But for Swedish architect and urban strategist Mans Tham, freeways are majestic structures that could serve another important purpose. (from http://www.autointhenews.com)


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EARTHTALK®: WHAT IS THE LIVING BUILDING CHALLENGE?

E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

January 12, 2013 (San Diego)--Dear EarthTalk: What is the Living Building Challenge and how does it differ from the LEED certification program?                                                 -- Jason Marshall, Richmond, VA

Both Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the Living Building Challenge (LBC) were created with the same goal in mind: to encourage more sustainability and resource conservation in architecture, design, construction and building operations. LEED, a program of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is well known in architecture, building and design circles as the standard for certifying the green attributes of new and retrofitted structures (and even entire neighborhoods).


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THREE PEOPLE SHOT IN EL CAJON: SUSPECTS REMAIN AT LARGE

 

January 12, 2012 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon Police responded to a 911 call reporting shots fired at noon today at 1010 Leslie in El Cajon.  Police located three victims, all with non-life threatening gunshot injuries. Possible suspects are described as three black men and a Hispanic man, all in the 20s, who may have arrived in a newer black four-door vehicle.

“A number of witnesses at the scene were uncooperative and many reported they did not see anything,” Lt. Mike Moulton said. The suspects’ identities are unknown.


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FROST WARNING ISSUED FOR SAN DIEGO COUNTY

January 12, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service in San Diego has issued a warning of very cold nights with frost and freezing temperatures the next few mornings. Tonight through Tuesday, the warning includes areas west of the mountains as well as mountains, valleys and deserts. Temperatures may drop as low as 20 degrees in places.

Sensitive plants or crops may be damaged or killed if left unprotected.  Cover sensitive plants or bring inside if possible.  


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BOIL WATER ORDER ISSUED FOR OAKOASIS OPEN SPACE PRESERVE WATER SYSTEM IN LAKESIDE

January 11, 2012 (Lakeside)-- The County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health (DEH) has issued a Boil Water Order and Public Notification for the Oakoasis Open Space Preserve water system at 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road, Lakeside effective immediately.  This public water system serves a county park with campsites, a public restrooms and a volunteer residence. 

The drinking water system has tested present for total coliform bacteria and absent for E. coli


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SECOND FLU DEATH REPORTED IN COUNTY; CASES UP 77%

January 11, 2013 (San Diego)--A 92-year-old woman died from influenza, the County Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday   It was the second death this flu season. The first was an 89-year-old woman who died Nov. 15. 

County health officials are encouraging everyone to be immunized to help protect themselves and their loved ones against the flu, especially now that influenza activity is increasing nationwide. A total of 143 cases were reported the week ending Jan. 5, a 77 percent increase from the prior week, when 81 cases were reported.


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ANIMAL CRUELTY SUSPECT SOUGHT

Severely Neglected Dog Found Dying in Dumpster

January 11, 2012 (Spring Valley)--The County of San Diego Department of Animal Services is looking for any witnesses or information regarding a severely neglected dog that was found in a dumpster Saturday, Jan. 5 at l in Spring Valley.

The dog, a tan-colored, 10 year old neutered male cocker spaniel, was wrapped in a blanket and placed in a black plastic trash bag, which was tied shut and put in the school dumpster.


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THE BETRAYAL OF BOULEVARD: CAN THIS HAPPEN TO YOUR TOWN, TOO?

 

“There is nothing altruistic about this.” – Don Renard, Boulevard resident, on planned destruction of his rural community to create an energy corridor

“I don’t know of any community facing this many energy projects.” – Donna Tisdale, Chair, Boulevard Planning Group

By Miriam Raftery

January 11, 2013 (Boulevard)--Retired tugboat captain Don Renard worked hard all his life before purchasing a little piece of heaven in San Diego's rural East County.  He bought  a historic house, the former Ruby Store, once a stage coach stop in Boulevard.  He and his family have been working to restore it—in between savoring quiet times spent watching the hawks, owls and song birds among the old oak groves around their home. 

But there’s a squall of epic proportions on the horizon.  Soon, the Renard family’s home is slated to be surrounded by an industrial solar “farm”—on all four sides.  In every direction, 360 degrees, massive panels 30 feet high or so will track the sun.  Some will be just 300 feet from his doorstep.


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SHIFTING BALANCE ON NEW BOARD OF SUPERVISORS COULD HAVE BIG IMPACTS FOR EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: Supervisor Dianne Jacob spells out her goals for future; Dave Roberts, left, prepares to take oath as his children look on.

January 8, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – For the first time in 19 years, a new County Supervisor, Dave Roberts, has been elected.  At yesterday’s swearing in ceremony,  East County Supervisor Dianne Jacob also made history, becoming the longest serving woman on the Board. 

Jacob made clear that she hopes to have an ally in the newly elected Supervisor—particularly on energy issues and protection of the backcountry. Roberts pledged support for preserving open spaces and working to develop a county utility as an alternative to SDG&E.


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MAYOR FILNER ORDERS HALT TO PROSECUTION OF ZONING CODE VIOLATIONS FOR MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2013 (San Diego)-- Mayor Bob Filner today announced that he has asked the Neighborhood Code Compliance Department and the Police Department to temporarily halt all prosecutions of city zoning code violations when it comes to medical marijuana dispensaries  (letters attached), pending development of new regulations.

"As I made very clear during my campaign for Mayor, I support the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes and am committed to ensuring the people who legitimately need it for relief of pain are not kept from accessing it," Mayor Filner said. "I also want to assure the residents of San Diego that there will be the utmost safeguards surrounding these dispensaries.  They will not be near schools, playgrounds or any areas where children might gather.  Nor will they be allowed to infringe on the quality of life in any neighborhood."


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NEIGHBORS HELP SAVE RESIDENTS FROM BURNING HOME

January 10, 2013 (Casa de Oro) – A  destroyed half of a resident in the 4100 block of Avoyer Place in Casa de Oro this morning.  At first, residents thought smoke in the kitchen area was due to cooking, until one went outside and saw smoke coming from under the garage.  Opening the door, he saw fire erupt into massive flames which quickly spread from the garage into the attic and home. 

“With the screams of ‘fire’, family members began to evacuate,” said Leonard Villareal with San Miguel Fire District.  “Residents inside the home had to carry the elderly female homeowner to safety. Another neighbor entered the home and carried a young woman who was asleep a back bedroom to safety. Another neighbor entered the home and carried a young woman who was asleep in a back bedroom to safety.”


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DO YOU KNOW HOW TO SAVE A LIFE? CPR CLASSES JAN. 19 IN ALPINE

January 10, 2013 (Alpine) -- Would you know how to respond if your child stopped breathing or if someone you love had a heart attack? Save-A-Heart will be conducting a CPR class at the Alpine Fitness Club, 1620 Alpine Blvd Suite 101 on Saturday Jan. 19th from 9am to 11am.


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ARE WIND TURBINES WEARING OUT FASTER THAN THE INDUSTRY PREDICTED?

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) -- How long can we expect wind turbines built in our region to last? It’s a key question, since early wear and tear can sharply reduce efficiency, sticking ratepayers with hefty electricity bills. Now, a new study of 3,000 wind turbines finds that they are wearing down faster than manufacturers expected. The study, which claims to be the largest of its kind, examined both onshore and offshore turbines operating between 2000 and 2001.


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

January 10, 2013 (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 reflect 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 world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

Read more for excerpts and links to full stories.


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ALPINE REALTOR TO SERVE AS 2013 PRESIDENT OF REALTORS ASSOCIATION

January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Alpine resident Jeff Campbell, a realtor with Jeff Campbell & Associates, will be installed as 2013 president of the 1,900-member Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors at PSAR’s 2013 board of directors installation dinner and celebration on Friday, Jan. 18. The event starts at 6 p.m. at the Bonita Golf Course, 5540 Sweetwater Road, in Bonita. Seats cost $45 per person, or $400 for a table of eight. Register online at www.psar.org or www.esdcar.org, or phone (619) 421-7811 or (619) 579-0333.


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WHY THE REAL ESTATE MARKET LOOKS BRIGHT FOR SAN DIEGO

By Ryan Zuckerman, Homehub.com

After a few years of a down economy and real estate market, the sun is rising again, as things turn around for the housing market in San Diego. How you might ask?  Here are HomeHub.com's top three reasons why we believe the future is a bright for the real estate market in San Diego.


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BIOINITIATIVE 2012 REPORT ISSUES NEW WARNINGS ON WIRELESS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC FREQUENCIES

Brain cancer, sperm damage among risks

January 8, 2012 (New York)-- A new report by the BioInitiative Working Group 2012 says that evidence for risks to health has substantially increased since 2007 from electromagnetic fields and wireless technologies (radiofrequency radiation). The Report reviews over 1800 new scientific studies.   Cell phone users, parents-to-be, young children and pregnant women are at particular risk.


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS


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LA MESA TO HOST TOWN HALL MEETINGS

January 10, 2013 (La Mesa) – In an on-going commitment to communicate with residents, all five members of the La Mesa City Council will host two Town Hall Meetings. The open-forum sessions are scheduled at the following locations:


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RENO DISPATCH: BREAKING NEWS: SUPREME COURT REJECTS HISTORIC LAWSUIT AGAINST GOVERNMENT

By Jamie Reno, The Reno Dispatch

January 10, 2013 (Washington, D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will not hear arguments in an historic lawsuit filed by two veterans groups in 2007 against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). The lawsuit, Veterans for Common Sense v. Shinseki, demanded that the VA fix its broken mental health care system.

Last May, a federal appeals court in California voted 10–1 to dismiss the case, ruling that only Congress or the president has the authority to direct changes on how veterans are treated. The decision overturned a 2–1 ruling in 2011 by the same court, which said that the department’s “unchecked incompetence has gone on long enough,” and permitted the plaintiffs to ask a federal judge to order changes in the VA.

http://therenodispatch.blogspot.com/2013/01/breaking-news-supreme-court-...


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FROM THE CHIEF'S CORNER: RODENTS AND COLD WEATHER - A PESKY FIRE HAZARD!

January 10, 2013 (San Diego) – People aren't the only ones who value a dry, cozy home in cold weather according to Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. Rodents do, too. "As it gets colder, everything that was out tends to want to find some sort of harbor inside," says Chief DiGiovanna. They scurry in our walls and above our heads during the night, they raid our food and ruin it with their feces, and they reproduce wildly, creating more and more inhabitants for us to worry about. Rats, mice and squirrels also do a lot of damage to your home's structure, insulation, pipes and even electrical wiring.


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BORDER PATROL HOSTS EAST COUNTY COMMUNITY FORUM JANUARY 16

January 10, 2013 (Alpine) – The public is invited to the U.S. Border Patrol’s East County Community Forum on January 16 at 6 p.m.  The forum will be held  in the Alpine Elementary School auditorium, 1850 Alpine Boulevard in Alpine.

The forum will include discussion of community concerns, East County security threats, and the 2012-2016 Strategic Plan.  RSVPs are requested to Michael Scappechio, Border Community Liaison Coordinator, at (619)216 4259 or michael.j.scappechio@cbp.dhs.gov.


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WINTER STORM WARNING: COLD STORM TO BATTER AREA, SNOW COULD DROP TO 2,000 FEET

 

By Miriam Raftery

January 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Expect chilly temperatures through the weekend as a cold front sweeps into the region.  A winter storm warning has been issued for mountains and deserts today, with snow levels dropping to as low as 2000 feet tonight.   That’s low enough to bring snow to Interstate 8 in East County  east of Alpine.  Rain is forecast for areas west of the mountains.

Snow is expected to impact the following areas today, dropping even lower tonight: Cuyamaca, Descanso, Julian, Mount Laguna, Pine Valley, Ranchitta, Santa Ysabel, and Warner Springs. Visibility could be reduced to zero from blowing and drifting snow.  This weather could be deadly for hikers and campers caught unprepared, the National Weather Service warns.

A high wind warning has also been issued for mountain and desert areas, with gusts up to 65 mp and sustained winds of 25-30 mph. forecast. In coastal areas, flooding and rip currents are expected to produce hazardous conditions.


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MAYOR MADRID’S AUDIT REPORT REFLECTS ON CITY’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD

By Miriam Raftery

Jaunary 9, 2013 (La Mesa) – Mayor Art Madrid reflected on the past,  praised the city’s present accomplishments, and looked ahead to the future in his annual city audit report delivered on January 8 in the City’s Centennial year.

“I dare say that in many ways we are glad to see 2012 in our rear view mirror,” he said, citing budget cuts by the state among the city's biggest challenges in the past year. Fiscal challenges will continue, he predicted, as Congress embarks on the federal budget negotiations battle. “We may be seeing the last of the Community Development Block Grants, CDBG and Housing Assistance Programs, plus other vital safety net programs that assist certain members of our society.”

Mayor Madrid also named climate change and environmental concerns among the key challenges ahead, spoken in a week when the National CIimatic Office announced that 2012 was the hottest year on record in the U.S.  “What is the role of local governments, including La Mesa, in addressing these problems? First choosing facts and science over politics, acknowledge that these issues exist, and define their impact on our city by evaluating the costs and consequences of doing nothing,” said Madrid.


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POLITICAL REFLECTIONS: REPUBLICANS WIN THE "FISCAL CLIFF" DEBATE

By Mark Gabrish Conlan

The views expressed in this column reflect the views of the columnist and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine.

January 10, 2013 (San Diego) -- The first part of the “fiscal cliff” debate is over — and the Republicans won. That’s not the impression you’ll get from the corporate media, either the “objective” mainstream or the Right-wing media party of talk radio and Fox News. The mainstream media are reporting the swift passage of a bill through both houses of Congress continuing the Bush-era tax cuts for all Americans making $400,000 per year ($450,000 per couple) as a triumph for President Obama and at least a partial fulfillment of his pledge in both Presidential campaigns for a (slight) tax increase on the wealthiest Americans. (Ironically, the $400,000 at which the restored tax rates kick in also happens to be the salary of the President.) But the bill is actually a slap-dash scheme thrown together at the last minute to keep taxes from returning to Clinton-era levels for all Americans — and it leaves the Republicans with yet another opportunity to hold the American economy hostage and demand draconian cuts to what’s left of the social safety net when Congress next has to raise the U.S. debt ceiling in two months.


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