On January 17, the Kiwanis Club of La Jolla granted Noah Homes $2,500 for energy saving appliances. Noah Homes is a nonprofit in Spring Valley that provides free housing and care to 70 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Noah Homes’ vision as a self-sustaining and recognized model of care includes solar panels that are already in the works and other environmentally friendly cost-saving measures. In addition to energy saving appliances, Noah Homes is taking steps in sustainability including planting a vegetable garden, installing solar panels and switching to environmentally friendly hand dryers.

Program Includes Motets from the Florilegium Portense, Bach Motets, and Contemporary Works 

January 17, 2014 (San Diego)--Bach Collegium San Diego (BCSD), the city's premier early music performance ensemble, will collaborate with the San Diego State University Chamber Choir for performances on February 7 and 8, 2014.

While Bach maintained a backbreaking schedule producing weekly cantatas for his church, the motets sung at St. Thomas were likely taken from the Florilegium Portense, two volumes of early 17th-century compositions which Bach is known to have procured for his choirs, containing the music of Hassler, Lasso, Gabrieli, and others--some of the popular works of his day. These performances will explore motets contained in the Florilegium Portense, including Bach's own motets Komm, Jesu Komm and Lobet den Herrn. In addition, contemporary works by Copland, Lauridsen, Whitacre, and Montoya are on the program.

Community Solar Program Supports Creation of a Strong Solar Community: Learn More at a Free Solar Seminar Feb 15 at Jamul Restaurant and Bakery

January 17, 2014 (Jamul) – With the vision of creating a strong solar community in Jamul, local business Sullivan Solar Power announces its launch of the Jamul Solar Program. The company is offering cash incentives in addition to the federal tax credit to property owners within the unincorporated community of Jamul. The innovative program allows residents in Jamul to go solar for no upfront cost and receive substantial cash-back awards for their involvement.

“With many residents looking to declare energy independence from the utility and foreign fossil fuels, Jamul is the ideal community to adopt solar in the masses,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power.

By Marsha Kay Seff

January 16, 2014 (San Diego)--When I was a caregiver to my parents, some people faulted me for placing my folks in a retirement community, rather than moving them in with me.  But I never felt guilty about my choice.

For our family, the arrangement was the best option.

By Janis Mork and Miriam Raftery

Julian Rudd-Falls, Mark Gavit also contributed to this report

January 15, 2014 (La Mesa)- Students, faculty and community leaders turned out to celebrate yesterday’s dedication of the new performing arts complex at Helix Charter School.  The new center features a spacious theater, a black box room for smaller productions, dance room, a digital music lab, choir room, scene shop, and prop storage.

The dedication opened with students playing bag pipes and included the official ribbon cutting by Helix executive director Dr. Mike Lewis, a tour, speeches by education leaders and elected officials, and a dramatic musical performance from some of the students. 

“This landmark facility will benefit our students for many years,” said Grossmont Union High School District  (GUHSD) Superintendent Ralf Swensen.

Our December shows are now online—including special reports on East County issues, holiday specials, interviews with top newsmakers and people making a positive difference in our community.  Click here for a list of our December shows with links to listen online.

You can also hear our one-hour show live when it airs on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.  Or listen live online during those hours at www.KNSJ.org.

Off My Rocker, by Kenny Weissberg (Sandra Jonas Publishing House, Boulder, Colorado, 2014, 311 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 15, 2014 (San Diego)--Kenny Weissberg, the former producer and promoter of the internationally acclaimed Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay series in San Diego, has lived the life that many of us could only dream about.  It is reflected in his wildly entertaining tell-all book, Off My Rocker.

January 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) -- On March 7^,  the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold their annual Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants.  Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing residents ages 13-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and includes a mentoring program for young women.  The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service. 

The 2014 titleholders will all receive scholarships which have been funded through past local talent and fashion show fundraising events. 

The contestants will be scored on personal interview, speech, poise and personality, sportswear, evening gown and an on stage question. There is no swimsuit competition.

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2014 (Lakeside) – If you’re looking for a place to getaway from the hustle and bustle of city living without traveling far away, consider a stay at one of San Diego County’s local Native American resorts.  Recently, I won a vacation to Barona Resort & Casino in a prize drawing at the La Mesa Centennial party –so in early January, my husband and I savored a relaxing weekend at Barona.

Unlike Las Vegas casinos, Barona resort is not glitzy or gaudy.  The casino and hotel complex are designed to fit in with the rural ambience, complete with a casino designed to resemble a barn and a waterwheel.  The property includes several lakes, providing idyllic places for walking or relaxing in an Adirondack chair to watch the sunset over the nearby mountains.  The site is also designated as a migratory bird sanctuary by the Audobon Society.

By Nadin Abbott

January 14, 2014 (Julian) --The Julian Planning Group voted unanimously Monday night to recommend denial of the Calico Ranch Solar Project, which proposed to cover 8.5 acres in Wynola with 4.,660 massive solar panels, requiring the destruction of numerous mature oak trees. The reasons given by the Planning Group were summarized as follows:

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Are babies and children at risk of suppressed immune systems from wildfire smoke?

A new study at the University of Califiornia, Davis, suggests this could be the case.

The study was conducted by the  University and by the California Air Resources Board. It looked at 25 young Rhesus Macaque monkeys born at the university’s Primate Research Center during summer of 2008, when smoke from over 2,000 fires that burned over a million acres drifted into the area. The monkeys born during the wildfires, and  who were living outdoors, were found to have suppressed immune systems.  Their blood samples were placed in tissue culture dishes, then exposed to disease pathogens—and showed reduced ability to  generate immune responses to diseases than blood from 25 other monkeys born a year later.

January 14, 2014 (El Cajon) –El Cajon City Manager Douglas Williford and Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Majed Al-Ghafry will be the guest speakers at the East County Democratic Club meeting on Thursday, January 16.  The event will be held at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon at 7 p.m., with social hour/dinner at 6 p.m.

By David Dickens

January 14, 2014 (Spring Valley)-- As  a sports enthusiast or just looking for great entertainment, look no further than the Lady Matadors of Mount Miguel High School(1-3-14) . This fully equipped group of ballers are led by the talented trio of Dejanay Pope, Deijah Blanks, and Zaria Branch.

January 14, 2014 (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.

• Spending bill could end shutdown threat (Washington Post)
• Court strikes down net neutrality (The Hill)
• Death Dust (New Yorker)
• Clean energy should do without special tax breaks (Washington Post editorial)
• Automotive Black Box Mandatory by September 1, 2014 (Yahoo News)
• Christie fires aide in NJ bridge scandal; prosecutor launches probe (Reuters)
• Colorado to launch 'don't drive stoned' ads with U.S. funding
• Electronic Rights At The U.S. Border: What They Can Search (NPR)
• What would a Republican 'war on poverty' look like, circa 2016? (+video) (CS Monitor)
• NSA snooping didn't make America much safer, report says (CS Monitor)

WORLD

• Ariel Sharon: A Bulldozer in War and Peace (JPost)
• Afghanistan to free most inmates seen by U.S. as threat (Reuters)
• Iran’s fingerprints in Fallujah (UT San Diego)
• Exclusive: Iran to get first $550 million of blocked $4.2 billion on February 1 (Reuters)
• Thai protesters move to shut down Bangkok to force out PM (Reuters)
• 50 hurt in West Bank clashes over UN strike (Reuters)
• Pakistani Teen Dies Stopping Bomber From Striking School (NPR)
• While U.S. Shivers, Australia And Brazil Sizzle (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click "read more" and scroll down."