December 2014 Articles

DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: DEC. 20-JAN 11

 

Photo: Winter solstice sunrise on Cowles Mountain

December 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has some wonderful events, from winter solstice walks to  performances of holiday classics including the Nutcracker Ballet and Handel’s Messiah. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions…from the Aztecs playing in the Poinsettia Bowl to the Trout Reopener at Santee Lakes.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.


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INCUBATING NEW BUSINESSES IN EAST COUNTY: HEAR NOORI BARKA’S PLANS TO CREATE GOOD JOBS FOR OUR REGION

 

 

Hear our interview with Noori Barka, which originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

December 18,2014 (El Cajon) –Imagine a place where people who want to start new businesses in East County can have free space, resources and investors—if they pledge to provide jobs here in East County. That’s the concept that Noori Barka, president of Calbiotech and a leader in the Iraqi-Chaldean community in El Cajon, aspires to attain by starting up an incubator business concept here.   He’s helped to launch a new 501c3 nonprofit, the San Diego East County Business Incubator with a goal of opening its doors next year.

 “If you have an idea, you want to start a business…we will incubate you for up to three years and during this time we will give you the full support,”  Barka told East County Magazine. Start-up businesses will be given space, tools, expertise, and investors.  After graduating in three years, people can receive continuing support – provided that they launch new businesses in East County. 

Barka hopes to create good-paying jobs in the biotech industry and other fields, helping to solve the high unemployment in East County, particularly among the new immigrant community, where unemployment is nearly 50 percent.

Audio: 


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HOLIDAY AND WINTER HAZARDS

 

Source: County News Service

December 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The winter months can be more fire hazardous for most households, but the good news is that all of the hazards can be avoided if people are made aware of them and take precautions.

 “It can be a great time of year and you don’t want to see that turn tragic because someone wasn’t diligent,” says Kelly Gaffrey of the San Diego County Fire Authority.


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CITY HELICOPTERS CAN NOW FIGHT FIRES ACROSS COUNTY AFTER DARK

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – The Cedar Fire started at night in a remote East County canyon. With no helicopters capable of doing water drops after dark, it quickly raged out of control, becoming the worst firestorm in California history.


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SPENDING BILL CALLS FOR FEDS TO BACK OFF ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT, BUT LANGUAGE IS VAGUE

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – Two California Congressmen slipped language into the $1.1 trillion spending bill signed into law by the President, calling on the federal government to stop spending money enforcing marijuana laws in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. But the language is vague and lacks teeth, so it’s not yet clear whether marijuana patients, clinics and growers can breathe a sigh of relief.


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HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS


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EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: LOCAL AND STATEWIDE NEWS

December 18,  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

STATE

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


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ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS

December 18, 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. headlines include:

U.S.

WORLD

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


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WIND TAX INCENTIVES EXTENSION PASSES CONGRESS

 

East County News Service

December 17, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – A bill to extend the wind production tax credit and investment tax credit, along with other tax incentives for wind energy developers, has passed both houses of Congress and is now on President  Barack Obama’s desk.


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BRAZEN THIEVES STEAL BULLDOZER IN LAKESIDE

 

December 17, 2014 (Lakeside) – A vehicle theft in East County this week was exceptionally brazen.  Thieves stole an 18-ton bulldozer from a trucking company in Lakeside.


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FELIX CAVALIERE'S RASCALS ON STAGE JAN. 24 AT POWAY CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

 

January 6, 2015 (Poway) - Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals are coming to the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation on Saturday, January 24th at 8 p.m. Felix Cavaliere is best known as the keyboardist and lead singer of the 1960’s Young Rascals, kings of blue-eyed soul! With hits “Groovin’” “Good Lovin’” “A Beautiful Mornin’” and more.


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THREATS ON MOVIE THEATERS PROMPTS CANCELLATION OF "THE INTERVIEW" FILM DEBUT SET FOR CHRISTMAS DAY

 

Update:  Sony has cancelled release it The Interview on Christmas Day, after Homeland Security confirmed it had linked the hacks/threats to North Korea.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2014 (San Diego)--Hackers have threatened 9/11-style attacks on movie theaters debuting “The Interview,” which is set for release on Christmas Day.  The threats follow hacks against Sony Pictures Entertainment over its film, a comedy depicting journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korean President Kim Jong-un.


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EL CAJON TURNS THE CORNER: MAYOR BILL WELLS DELIVERS OPTIMISTIC STATE OF THE CITY 2014 ADDRESS

 

By Paul Kruze

Photo by Randy Jordan

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon)--It has been the worst of times and it has been the best of times for the city of El Cajon.

Mayor Bill Wells painted a generally optimistic picture in his State of the City address delivered on Tuesday, December 9th shortly after he was sworn in before a full City Council chamber. The mayor’s upbeat message came despite having to deal with some formidable headwinds during the past year—a year that saw the fifth largest city in San Diego County deal with political appointments surrounded by controversy, a crackdown on the city’s liquor stores, the city’s improving financial stability and ongoing renovation plans for the embattled East County Performing Arts Center.


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BORDER ANGELS IN THE WHITE HOUSE

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2014 (San Diego) – Border Angels founder and San Diego immigrants rights activist Enrique Morones met with President Barack Obama recently at the White House, following a briefing on recent immigration executive action.  Morones told ECM he asked for a second executive action “if the new Congress does not act soon on humane immigration reform.” (You can learn more about Border Angels efforts to help local refugees and immigrants at www.borderangels.org .)


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WIND ENERGY COMPANY SUES TO BLOCK RELEASE OF BIRD DEATH DATA TO MEDIA

 

Photo: Hawk at Ocotillo wind farm; photo by Jim Pelley

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A lawsuit filed by Pacificorp, a wind energy corporation, seeks an injunction to halt the Associated Press from obtaining reports filed by the company with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service documenting deaths of eagles and other protected bird species at its wind energy facilities. Pacificorp, which is owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway, claims disclosure would cause “irreparable harm” to the company.


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SDSU GREEK COMMUNITY DETAILS STEPS FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE EDUCATION

 

All fraternity and sorority members will undergo training and then organize and participate in sexual violence education events and activities

December 16, 2014 (San Diego)--The leaders of the San Diego State University Greek community today announced proactive steps their organizations will be taking to address the issue of sexual assault on the SDSU campus. With support from the division of Student Affairs, all members of the Greek community will undergo a series of trainings, participate in a number of educational events and continue to take part in campus dialogues about this important issue, says Beth Chu, community relations director for SDSU.


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RNB LOUNGE SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER TO CHILDREN

 

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon) - DJ Jam (Dr. Dre & Snoop Dogg) and DJ Artistic (San Diego Music Association’s 2014 Best Club D) are hosting the 2014 RnB Lounge Toy Drive at the El Cajon Grand (351 West Main Street in El Cajon) on Wednesday nights.


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READER'S EDITORIAL: PROSECUTE AMERICA'S WAR CRIMINALS

 

By Connie Frankowiak, Julian

December 15, 2014 (Julian) -- For 6 years the U.S. Congress creates a tome that would challenge a weight lifter at a cost of millions to come to a conclusion that most Americans knew already that Bush, Cheney, Powell, Tenet, Rice, Rumsfeld and CIA agents and their contractors were involved in war crimes for  years and the U.S. Congress knew it; so much for the rule of law and checks and balances.


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NEIGHBORHOOD MARKET ASSOCIATION DONATES 7,000 TOYS TO CHILDREN IN EAST COUNTY

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon)--The Neighborhood Market Association held its sixth Annual NMA Toy Drive for disadvantaged  youth around San Diego on Sunday at the Crystal Ballroom in El Cajon, raising  over 7,000 toys that were given out to thousands of children throughout the community.


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GLOBAL WARMING: HAS ANYONE REALLY DONE ANYTHING?

 

 

 

 

By Roger Coppock

 

 

The first article of this series showed that bone dry East County San Diego warmed more than twice as fast as the rest of the globe.  ( http://eastcountymagazine.org/why-san-diegos-east-county-global-warming-... )  In this second article, we'll measure the success of past solutions.  In the final article of this series, I'll suggest solutions.


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FROM THE FIRE CHIEF'S CORNER: LISTEN UP! THE BEST GIFT THIS SEASON DOESN'T HAVE TO COST A DIME

 

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 16, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The holidays provide a good opportunity to spend quality time with family, friends and co-workers while making deposits in our relationships. Naturally, conversation and talking with people is a big part of this season. “Most people are very good at talking about themselves, however, the best gift this year is the gift of listening, and it doesn’t cost a dime reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.”


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VIEJAS SETS NEW TOY DRIVE RECORD: DONATES 14,000 TOYS TO SALVATION ARMY

 

Viejas Tribal government staff, Casino & Resort team members and guests helped reach toy drive goal

Link to video from Toy Drive “Big Reveal”:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3c8rQTaZqUCY0J5b0JFT193c0U/view?usp=sharing

December 16, 2014 (Alpine)--One of the biggest annual holiday toys drives in San Diego County just set a new record. The 2014 Viejas Toy Drive to support the local Salvation Army exceeded its goal …raising a total of 14,702 toys.


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BATTY FOR BATS

 

Story by Barbara Loveless

Photos by Barbara Loveless and Cindy Myers

“De bat – he rat got wings – all de children know dat”

December 16, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - And so goes the chiroptera-phobic Carly Simon song from the 1970s. But all the half-dozen or so children – and about that many adults –who attended “Batty for Bats” at Lakeside River Park Conservancy  know that bats are not even closely related to rats and their ilk. They’re more closely related to … you might want to sit down … well, us!


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"CHIT CHAT" BANDIT SUSPECT ARRESTED AFTER CHASE

 

December 16, 2014 (El Cajon) - A man suspected of robbing two banks in El Cajon and a third in La Jolla has been arrested after stealing a van and leading authorities on a chase across San Diego and Riverside Counties.


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WOMAN REPORTS ATTEMPTED KIDNAPPING NEAR SDSU

 

December 15, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego State has issued an alert to students following a report of an attempted kidnapping.  A female students reports that while walking home in the 6300 block of Alvarado Road on December 12th at 10 p.m., two men grabbed her by the arm and a third pushed her from behind toward an SUV.


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COWLES MTN. WINTER SOLSTICE WALKS DEC. 20-22

 

December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The Mission Trails Regional Park Trail Guides will lead pre-dawn hikes to the area of the solstice observatory on Cowles Mountain on the 20th and 22nd of December. The Canyoneers of the San Diego Natural History Museum will lead the hike on the 21st.


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SNOW FORECAST FOR MOUNTAIN PEAKS, RAIN TO SOAK REGION

 

By Miriam Raftery

December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--A dip in the jet stream along the West Coast is bringing more wet weather starting Monday night through early Thursday this week. The heaviest rain will be Tuesday morning and again Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms possible on Wednesday, the National Weather Service predicts.

Snow is forecast to fall in the mountains, with snow levels falling as low as 4500 feet by Wednesday.  A total of 6-12 inches could pile up above 5500 feet by Wednesday night, which includes Mount Laguna here in East County.


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PHOTO OF THE MONTH: GUESS WHAT'S SPOTTED IN DESCANSO?

 

December 15, 2014 (Descanso) - “Descanso reader Duncan McFetridge was surprised to find an unusual visitor nestled down in his kitchen during this week’s storm:  a spotted skunk, who didn’t mind sharing the space with a couple of housecats, McFetridge adds.


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READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: FROM DECEMBER 15, 2014

 

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

December 17 (Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:45 pm) Featured Poets and Open Mic) at the monthly New Alchemy Poetry Series. Featured poet Jackleen Holton & Ron Salisbury. Free parking behind Harbor House Restaurant after 6 pm.


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HUNTER ACTION TO TRANSFER MOUNT SOLEDAD CROSS TO PRIVATE GROUP PASSES CONGRESS

 

December 14, 2014 (San Diego) - Language added to the Defense Authorization Act by San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter would transfer the Mount Soledad cross to a private war memorial organization.  Congress passed the bill on Friday and it is now awaiting signature by President Barack Obama.


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