April
10, 2009 (Washington D.C.) - Looking for your own version of a bail-out?  How
about a federal incentive to make your home, business or community more energy
efficient and/or powered by renewable energy such as wind, solar or biomass? 

Here are some handy links to tax credits and grants available for homeowners,
businesses and local governments to apply for funds under the Obama administration’s
economic stimulus program. 

April 7, 2009 (La Mesa)--Remember when you wanted to stay up all night just for the fun of it? Well, now you can, and for a good cause too. The American Cancer Society invites you to form a team and join its Relay For Life, an all-night, action-packed event to fight cancer on April 25th. 
           
More people than ever before are surviving cancer. If you are a survivor, this is your chance to inspire others. You can also participate to honor the memory of friends and loved ones.

Your #1 Marketing Tool

By Rama Beerfas

April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - Clients often ask me, “What is the number one most effective marketing tool?” My answer is, “Delivering consistent customer service at or above the level that is consistent with your image.”

The truth is that no matter how good your product or service is, your customer service will play a huge part in whether your business will generate repeat sales and word-of-mouth referrals (unless you’ve got a monopoly and you are the only one selling a must-have item.). Without repeat sales and customer referrals, you will be spending all your time, money, and effort replenishing your customer base rather than growing it.

Hundreds turned out for a wearin’ of the green, Irish fare and festivities at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grille in Rancho San Diego and La Mesa.  From kilts to kitch, East County party-goers got into the holiday spirit!

By Dennis Volz 

Editor’s note:  My daughter found out the hard way why having renter’s insurance would have been a good idea. When thieves stole her car, car insurance only covered damage to the vehicle—not replacing the IPOD, leather jacket, text books and other items that were taken,too. So we’ve asked insurance agent Dennis Volz to provide some tips on what renters should know about insurance.

April 1, 2009 (Spring Valley)--If you rent, it’s a wise idea to have renter’s insurance. Four out of ten renters don't think they can afford renter’s insurance.  Two out of ten don't even know renters insurance is available.  The simple truth is that if you rent, you need and can likely afford renter’s insurance. 

By Miriam Raftery

“If we don't find a way to save investigative journalism, our democracy will not only suffer, it will die." - Jeanne Brown, vice president, San Diego League of Women Voters

“The good news is the rise of online, nonprofit journalism organizations like East County Magazine.” – J.W. August, managing editor, Channel 10 News

“We believe the Internet has broad ability to improve democracy.” –Jon Bartholomew, associate director of media reform, Common Cause

April 1, 2009 (San Diego)—The demise of major newspapers and consolidation of broadcast media threatens the future of a free press and puts the public’s right to know at risk, speakers warned at a League of Women Voters luncheon held in San Diego on March 19th.

By Miriam Raftery

March
28, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—In testimony before the U.S.
Election Assistance Commission in Florida, CIA cyber security expert Steven
Stigall said that voting equipment connected to the Internet could be hacked
and that even machines not connected could be hacked with wireless devices. Stigall
warned that foreign governments could potentially alter outcomes of U.S. elections,
noting that “wherever the vote becomes an electron and touches a computer,
that’s an opportunity for a malicious actor to…make bad things
happen.”

By Miriam Raftery

April 1, 2009 (El Cajon)—The indomitable spirit of Charlavan Baker Hart shines like a beacon of hope in her new book, Tit Tatts: Life After Breast Cancer.  The El Cajon artist has owned four galleries, authored the newspaper column “Pearls”,   produced Internet radio programs, worked as an image consultant and reaped rewards as a professional poker player.  But she faced life’s biggest gamble when she was diagnosed with cancer. 

East County Roundup highlights the best stories about East County
issues found in other publications.

JAMUL’S
PLAN TO BUILD CASINO MAY NOT STAND TEST OF HISTORY

San Diego Union-Tribune (March 30, 2009)—

OVERVIEW

Background: The Jamul Indian Village partnered with Lakes
Entertainment to build a casino in East County that faced significant local
opposition.

What's changing: A U.S. Supreme Court ruling over tribal
land in Rhode Island raises legal questions about Jamul's casino plan.

The future: In addition to any impact the ruling may
have, Lakes Entertainment says the project will be delayed at least five years
because of financial concerns and a suit over access to the casino site.

COUNTY ADOPTS STRATEGY FOR MANAGING BRUSH:

Local environmentalists say approach
relies too much on controlled burns

North County Times (March 25, 2009)--The county on Wednesday adopted a strategy
for managing the dry brush that fueled two of the region's catastrophic wildfires,
but environmental regulations and a lack of funding could make it difficult
to implement key pieces.

The strategy, which emphasizes controlled burns as a way to clear vegetation,
was outlined in a staff report that was criticized by local environmentalists
as too narrow in its scope.

"If you don't look at the full equation, you may put vegetation treatment
where it's not needed," said Richard Halsey, director of the Chaparral
Field Institute in Escondido. "And, in fact, you may actually increase
fire hazards by converting some of this shrub land into (more fire-prone) weedy
grasslands."

THE END OF MOBILE COUNSELING

San Diego Reader (March 20, 2009)-- Today, March 20, marks the final day of
mobile counseling services for residents of the rural East County communities
affected by the Harris Fire. The October 2007 wildfire burned 90,440 acres
across Dulzura, Potrero, Tecate, and Jamul. In its wake, hundreds of homes
were damaged or destroyed, 55 people were injured, and 5 were killed. Numerous
recovery efforts were put in place after the fire, including a free door-to-door
counseling and community outreach service.

For the past four months, the nonprofit San Diego Foundation provided the
service, but because the grant money that funded the program has run out, the
program must end.

March 20, 2009 (El Cajon)—The East County Democratic Club has adopted a resolution calling for local, on-site generation of solar and wind power as alternatives to massive wind and solar farms, which would require new transmission lines including Sunrise Powerlink. Advocates hope to persuade the State Party’s Resolutions Committee to allow the measure to be considered by delegates at the California Democratic Party convention in Sacramento in late April.

By Miriam Raftery

(Canine Companions for Independence)

April 1, 2009 (San Diego County) – Disabled seniors and organizations that serve senior citizens can obtain free service dogs thanks to a grant provided by the Gary and Mary West Foundation. Canine Companions for Independence will provide dogs to help seniors throughout San Diego County with tasks such as opening doors, retrieving objects, and even alerting hearing impaired owners to ringing phones or doorbells. “CCI assistance dogs can help seniors in their homes or at treatment centers. We’d like to reach as many people as possible!” said Linda Valliant, CCI Southwest Executive Director in Oceanside.

“I really can’t imagine my life today or any time in the future without a CPI dog,” said Peter Wolcott of Santee, who relies on his golden retriever, Shelton, to fetch items and more. “It has enriched my life immeasurably, not only from the assistance aspect but also from the companionship aspect.” View a video by Rob Constantine of Wolcott and his CCI dog, Shelton:

April 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The 73rd edition of Carson & Barnes Circus will bring nearly 100 performers and a traveling zoo to East County in April, with proceeds helping to benefit local hosts. “From time to time, special opportunities take place that benefit everyone,” says Valerie Harrison, president of the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, which is sponsoring the circus performances at Skyline Church in Rancho San Diego/La Mesa on April 27 and 28 at 4:30 and 7:30.

April 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to have photos taken with children.

There is a $4 parking cost at Santee Lakes, though admission to the event is free. Ride tickets cost 50 cents apiece. Cash only will be accepted at the event.

By E.A. Barrera

April 2, 2009 (San Diego)—Openly gay San Diego State Senator Christine Kehoe defended newly elected 78th District Assemblyman Marty Block, even as she scolded Block for his refusal to support a resolution calling on the California Supreme Court to overturn Proposition 8, the voter-approved measure which invalidated gay marriages in California.