September 2014 Articles

FROM BAVARIA TO EAST COUNTY: GERMAN AMERICAN CLUB HOSTS OKTOBERFEST SEPT. 26-28 AND OCT. 3-5 IN EL CAJON

 

September 22, 2014 (El Cajon) – You’re invited to come and enjoy authentic German food, such as bratwurst, ox-on-the-spit,  potato pancakes, sauerkraut, red cabbage, pretzels, and Bavarian pastries—all at the German American Club’s annual Oktoberfest in El Cajon. The festivities take place on two weekends, September 26 through 28 and October 3rd through 5th.  Of course, you’ll also find plenty of German beers, as well as entertainment by the Guggenbach-Buam, all the way from Baden-Württemberg, Germany.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BEST HAPPY HOURS IN EAST COUNTY

Part III in a series

By the East County Eaters

Week 3:  Bleu Boheme (Kensington) and Cali Comfort (Spring Valley)

September 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)— For week three in our quest to bring you the most delightful and different happy hours across our inland region, we indulged in French cuisine and burgundy at Bleu Boheme, owned by a prominent San Diego retauranteur in Kensington. We also found fabulous half-price barbecue tri-tip and wings so hot they’re named for a local firefighters’ crew at Cali Comfort in Spring Valley, a sports bar and restaurant that has found the winning combination for hospitality.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SAVING THE CHEETAHS

 

 

Only 10,000 cheetahs remain in the wild, and Dr. Laurie Marker aims to save the species

By Mimi Pollack

September 24, 2014 (Ramona) – Kumbali looked at us with soulful amber eyes. Those present were struck by the magnificence of this cheetah--the star attraction at a benefit event for the Cheetah Conservation Fund. The event took place last weekend  in the Ramona home of well-known wildlife photographer Roy Toft and his wife, Robin.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BATTY FOR BATS: NOV. 22 AT LAKESIDE RIVER PARK

 

 

A free event hosted by Lakeside's River Park Conservancy

September 26, 2014 (Lakeside)- Project Wildlife will introduce you to the fascinating and unique world of bats on November 22 from 11 a.m to 12:30 p.m at Lakeside River Park.  You can also meet Animal Ambassador Daisy, a Mexican Free-Tailed Bat in this indoor classroom located on Lakeside's River Park Property.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SCIENCE AND HEALTH HIGHLIGHTS


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LA MESA HOSTS SENIOR EXPO OCT. 9

 

September 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--The City of La Mesa will host its fifth annual Senior Expo on Thursday, October 9, 2014.  With a wide variety of speakers and exhibitors, Senior Expo will offer free "one-stop shopping" for all adults facing life changes that may affect their independence, or for those who would like great tips on safety and security.  Senior Expo will be held at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa 91942, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm, and is supported by funding from the San Diego Association of Governments.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

INSURANCE WON'T PAY TO REMOVE MASSIVE TREE THAT FELL IN LA MESA

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2014 (La Mesa)—An enormous eucalyptus tree stood 80 to 100 feet tall in front of Korey Mulvey’s home in La Mesa. But during the recent storm, the goliath tree came crashing down into his backyard and onto his swimming pool.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS SEPT. 25-OCT. 11

 

 

September 24, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – This week’s Destination East County features some major events this weekend, including Oktoberfests, a major music festival and street fair, a fiesta,  a parade, plus concerts by the Eagles and a Barbra Streisand tribute artist.  Plus we’ll have previews of some delicious events coming up soon, including Julian Apple Days, the East County Vintners Harvest Days, a Pumpkin Festival, and Jacumba Hot Springs centennial celebration! Find all these events and more below.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LA MESANS MEET CANDIDATES AT CHAMBER DEBATE

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  Mayoral candidate Mark Arapostathis and Mayor Art Madrid (top); City Council candidates (left to right) Bill Baber, Patrick Dean, Mary England, Pete Gregorovic, Guy McWhirter

September 25, 2014 (La Mesa)—Candidates  for La Mesa’s mayoral and city council races made their cases to voters at a forum held by the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce last week, tackling issues ranging from future development to public safety, pensions, and homelessness. 

Art Madrid, who has served as La Mesa’s Mayor for over 24 years, faces a challenge from Councilmember/teacher Mark Arapostathis.  Five candidates are vying for two open seats on the La Mesa Council. They are Bill Baber, an attorney and La Mesa-Spring Valley school board member; Patrick Dean, a chef and member of  La Mesa’s Community Services Commission; Mary England, president of La Mesa Chamber of Commerce;  Pete Gregorovic, a business attorney and youth sports leader; and Guy McWhirter, an insurance agent.

For key points made by each candidate, as well as links to video opening statements and raw audio of the debate, click "read more" and scroll down.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

IS OBAMA'S DECISION TO BOMB ISIL TERRORISTS IN SYRIA LEGAL?

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: U.S. Department of Defense

September 23, 2014 (Washington D.C.)—The U.S. Constitution states that Congress has the power to declare war.  Yet Congress has not provided such declaration to presidents for any war since World War II, back in the 1940s.  That puts presidents in the hot seat when confronting threats including those from terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda and now, ISIL, or the Islamic State.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

READER'S EDITORIAL: A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD

 

The first in a series of essays from No Term Limits in La Mesa to examine the underlying assumptions and principles around term limits, whether they are “needed” or work as claimed, and just what side effects they may bring with  them.

By No Term Limits in La Mesa

September 24, 2014 (La Mesa)--Proponents of term limits claim that term limits are needed because incumbent advantage makes it impossible for a challenger to win. But is this assumption really the case?


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ECM WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS

 

September 24, 2014 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's 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.

U.S.

WORLD

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


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP

 

September 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

STATE

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


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OPERA AND A SCULPTURE GARDEN: GROWING CULTURE ALONG WITH VINEYARDS AT SALERNO WINERY IN RAMONA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Miriam Raftery

 

Hear audio clip of Jorge D'Soria, a resident artist at Salerno (photo, right), performing his Pavarotti-style operatic rendition:  http://k007.kiwi6.com/hotlink/36dl3ft21v/opera-jorge_D_soria.mp3

September 21, 2014 (Ramona) - Opera and fine art in East County? Bravo! Salerno Winery in Ramona has forged a partnership that’s music to the ears of  those who love opera, sculptures and Italian-style wine.

Herman Salerno, an opera singer from Italy, and his wife, Rose, founded the winery and began displaying sculptures from a friend’s collection. Now, they have now teamed up with Jaime Chaljon, a Mexican businessman, to unveil an expanded sculpture garden featuring works by over 20 world-renowned artists including Jorge and Javier Martin, Tan Da WU, Julian Bravo, and Pedro Cervantes.

The winery is open on Fridays,  Saturdays and Sundays, when guests can enjoy not only wine and pizza cooked up in an outdoor oven, but also performances by Salerno and well known Mexican operatic stars.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PASSAGES: DUANE SWAINSTON 1965-2014, EL CAJON COUNCIL CANDIDATE

 

Update: A celebration of life will be held on Oct 16th at Foothills Christian Church at 2 p.m.  Light refreshments will be served after the service. The church is located at 365 W Bradley Ave, El Cajon.

East County News Service

September 23, 2014 (El Cajon) – Duane Swainston, a former El Cajon City Council candidate and manager at Aerospace Ketema and GKN Aerospace Chem-Tronics, passed away today of esophageal cancer. 

Swainston ran for El Cajon Council in 2012 and had set up a website to run again this year, but did not file candidacy papers as he waged his battle with cancer. In a 2012 interview with East County Magazine, he stated his philosophy that guided him in business and in life: “Communication, cooperation and respect are keys to being a successful leader.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

U.S. AND ARAB ALLIES LAUNCH AIR STRIKES AGAINST ISIL STRONGHOLD IN SYRIA

 

 

 

Photo: Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel testify before Senate Armed Services Committee on the threat from ISIL

By Miriam Raftery

September 22, 2014 (Washington D.C.)--U.S. military & partner nation forces have begun striking ISIL targets in Syria using mix of fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles, Rear Admiral John Kirby, the Pentagon Press Secretary, confirmed Monday evening.  The U.S. has previously led over 150 air strikes in Iraq, before joining with allies to expand the assault on ISIL, or Islamic State, forces into Syria.

Residents of Raqqa, the Islamic State’s self-proclaimed capital, have reported attacks on the city on social media sites.  An estimated two-thirds of ISIL forces are located in Syria.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

GOVERNOR SIGNS CLEAN VEHICLE BILL

 

 

September 23, 2014 (Sacramento)-- Capping off National Drive Electric Week, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. has signed half a dozen bills to strengthen California's best-in-the-nation electric vehicle market.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

EL CAJON ASKS, PLEASE DON'T FEED THE DUCKS!

 

Story and photos by Robert Gehr

September 23, 2014 (El Cajon)--The city of El Cajon recently installed signs at the downtown waterscape asking the public to stop feeding the ducks which gather there. It seems that the bread, etc. is contributing to the ill health of this fragile ecosystem, resulting in excessive algae, and fecal matter, plus a variety of toxins and diseases - some of which are transmittable to humans and could potentially make a person very sick, especially children.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

UT OWNER CONSIDERS DEAL TO MAKE THE NEWSPAPER A NONPROFIT

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

September 24, 2014 (San Diego) - UT-San Diego, our region’s largest newspaper, may soon become a nonprofit media outlet.  The UT confirmed on Tuesday that developer and philanthropist Malin Burnham, along with a group of donors, are putting together an offer that would transfer ownership of the UT to what has been described as a “public-spirited nonprofit.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ROCKEFELLER'S FUND TO PULL MONEY OUT OF FOSSIL FUELS

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2014 (New York)--On the heels of the world’s largest march to halt climate change, support has come from an unlikely source.  Billionaire John D. Rockefeller made his fortune in oil, otherwise known as black gold. His Standard Oil Company was so big that the Supreme Court ordered it broken up into several smaller companies including such giants as Chevron, Exxon and Mobil.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SUCCESS STORIES INSPIRE JUVENILES IN DETENTION

 

(This article provided by the San Diego County Office of Education, which provides instruction to juveniles in County of San Diego Probation facilities.)

September 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - Super Bowl champion Gary Plummer spoke of his drive to be a professional football player. Gary Fenelli, vice president and general manager of Frank Toyota, spoke about his successes and failures in business. World-renowned fitness expert Clark Bartram spoke of belief in yourself. KyXy radio producer "Little” Tommy Sablan confided about his family’s struggles with heroin addiction.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SQUIRRELS TEST POSITIVE FOR PLAGUE: PRECAUTIONS URGED FOR HIKERS, CAMPERS AND HUNTERS

 

East County News Service

September 23, 2014 (Palomar) -- County officials are reminding people to protect themselves when they hike and camp after two squirrels trapped in routine monitoring in the Palomar Mountain area tested positive for plague.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ON THE SILVER SCREEN: BLOOD MONEY IN, BLOOD MONEY OUT (THE DROP)

 

By Brian Lafferty

September 24, 2014 (San Diego) -- I don't know if Michaël Roskam is a man of few words, but his films certainly are. He burst onto the international film scene with the Oscar-nominated Bullhead (2012), which took its sweet time (about halfway in) to fully reveal the tortured past of its protagonist (Matthias Schoenaerts). The Drop, only his second feature film and his first in the English language, further cements his reputation as a cagey storyteller.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

$40 MILLION LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST INVENERGY OVER WIND FARM

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Wind turbines at Kumeyaay Wind  facility in Campo

September 23, 2014 (Campo, California) –Looks like we dodged another wind project bullet when the Campo tribe voted down Invenergy's Shu'luuk Wind project,” Boulevard Planning Group Chair Donna Tisdale wrote in an e-mail to East County Magazine.

She forwarded a link to an article on a $40 million lawsuit filed against Invenergy by 60 neighbors of the company’s Orangeville Wind project in New York. Neighbors allege that the facility has violated noise limits and caused significant harm to health and property values: http://www.windaction.org/posts/41275-lawsuit-filed-against-invenergy-in-relation-to-orangeville-wind-farm#.VB83JPldV8E.

The suit alleges that the project has created a nuisance that has caused residents to suffer a loss in their quality of life and property value due to the wind energy project.  According to the complaint, wind turbines were built within 800 to 1500 feet of the plaintiffs’ properties. Plaintiffs contend that the project has caused “constant noise, vibrations, and flicker to enter Plaintiffs’ property, significantly impacting the health and wellbeing of the Plaintiffs and causing them to become sick, sore, lame and disabled.”  The projects also destroyed rural views, the suit states.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

GOOGLE AND OTHER TOP COMPANIES DUMP ALEC

 

 

September 23, 2014 (Silicon Valley) – A growing number of companies are heeding their customers requests and  ending their affiliations with the American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC for short.  ALEC works to get model, right wing conservative measures benefitting corporations enacted in legislatures across the nation. Here in California, ALEC is chaired by East County’s State Senator Joel Anderson.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

PAUL MCCARTNEY—TODAY (2014) AND YESTERDAY (1964)

                                                                     

 

Paul McCartney’s OUT THERE Tour has added a San Diego concert set for Sunday, Sep 28th at 8:00 p.m. at Petco Park. Our freelancer, Ariele Johannson, attended the McCartney concert in August at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles—and also shares memories of a Beatles concert in New York 50 years ago that she attended back in 1964. Written for the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles first U.S. tour, this article is a “must read” for all Beatles fans of today and yesterday.

Photo, left: Beatles in 1964,  Library of Congress image

 

THE BEATLES! IN PERSON                                                                             

By Ariele Johannson                         

September 23, 2014 (San Diego)--The year was 1964, and I was touched by a movement—the craze of “Beatlemania.” An eleven-year-old girl in Long Island, New York, my life still felt like a closed book. I didn’t fit in anywhere…yet. I was quiet, smart, freckle-faced, and wore glasses. Yes, they called me “four eyes.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SDSU ROCKS THE VOTE

 

Last day to register for Nov. 4 election is Oct. 20

September 23, 2014 (San Diego) - San Diego State University's Rock the Vote campaign  officially launched this week and will continue through Election Day on Nov 4.  To kick off the campaign on Sept. 23, Associated Students hosted a barbecue on campus with live music, free food, and voter registration tables.  Students can also register to vote online at SDSU.edu/Rockthevote.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OBAMA TO LIMIT CORPORATE TAX DODGING

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – The Obama administration has taken steps to pull the plug on corporations moving their headquarters overseas to avoid paying taxes in the U.S.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST CALIFORNIA OVER DELAYS IN MEDI-CAL APPROVALS

 

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--A lawsuit has been filed in California, alleging that a huge backlog in processing Medicaid applications has caused suffering to low-income patients who are unable to get healthcare.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

POLL: AMERICANS SUPPORT AIR STRIKES IN IRAQ AND SYRIA

 

Two-thirds of Republicans would support sending ground troops, but 71% of Democrats would oppose risking soldiers on the ground

Photo: Raptors carry out air strikes in Syria; courtesy U.S. Air Force

September 23, 2014 (Washington D.C.)--A new poll by CBS news and the New York Times has found that Americans overwhelmingly support U.S. airstrikes in both Iraq and Syria.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

Pages