EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE WINS 11 AWARDS FROM SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB
East County News Service October 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-East County Magazine picked up 11 more awards in San Diego Press Club’s 2014 Excellence in Journalism awards on October 28th, bringing our total to 80 journalism awards since our launch in 2008. This year’s awards including winners in the following categories: breaking news, environment, general news, investigative reporting, political/government, public service/consumer advocacy, criminal justice, health and medicine, radio special reporting and radio feature categories. To read and hear our award-winning reports, click “read more” and scroll down. East County Magazine Editor and Radio Show Producer Miriam Raftery said, “I am is pleased at this recognition from San Diego Press Club for our dedicated team of reporters, photographers and broadcast journalists. Our team includes interns, citizen volunteers and media professionals who have all worked hard to provide news in the public interest.” “Out of the Ashes,” our special radio report on the 10th anniversary of the Cedar Fire which aired on KNSJ and was produced by Miriam Raftery, received a first place award for specialty reporting. This special report had previously also won first place in the Society of Professional Journalists’ competition. (Note: radio link may take a minute to load.) Our intern Jessica Richmond received a first place award for environmental reporting in the daily newspapers and websites category for her article titled “An ecological disaster in the making?” examining the history and impacts of major energy projects in our region She also shared a third place award with editor Miriam Raftery in the criminal justice category for a story titled, “Sheriff response times in rural areas raise concerns.” Leon Thompson and Miriam Raftery received a first place integrated media award in the health and medicine category for “A Hearty Recovery,” documenting Leon’s recovery from open heart surgery on our radio show and news website. See our story, hospital interview, and Leon’s heartfelt message. Tom and Nadin Abbott’s coverage of the Chariot Fire on Mount Laguna earned a third place award for breaking news, for their story titled “Historic Lodge at Shrine Camp, Sierra Club’s Foster Lodge cabin among 108 buildings destroyed in Chariot Fire.” Nadin Abbott also took a second place award in the general news category for her “Six States? Ballot Initiative Effort Seeks to Split California” story. East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery won seven awards, including several shared with other staff members . In addition to those already mentioned, Raftery won second place for environmental reporting with a story titled “SOITEC fails to disclose truth about impacts of solar projects.” She picked up another second place award for public service/consumer advocacy for a story titled “Why is County Veterans Services ignoring rural East County vets?” That story resulted in passage of a measure by County Supervisors to bring veterans services to rural libraries. Raftery won a third place investigative reporting award for her article titled “Was it fraud? Experts raise serious questions after low first-year energy production at Ocotillo Wind.” In addition, she took third place in the political/government category for her coverage of events that led to the resignation of El Cajon’s mayor, with an article called “Mayor Lewis in controversy over comments on Chaldeans.” Mark and Cody Clement shared a third place radio feature award for their entertaining “Wildest Jobs” interview with a rodeo clown in Lakeside, aired on East County Magazine’s radio show here on KNSJ. Printer-friendly version
ECM WINS 10 SPJ AWARDS FOR ONLINE NEWS AND RADIO SHOW
East County News Service July 9, 2014 (San Diego) –East County Magazine picked up 10 journalism awards tonight in the Society of Professional Journalists San Diego contest, including four first place awards and for the third year in a row, the James Julian Memorial Award for community reporting. ECM picked up two awards for reports aired on KNSJ radio, as well as honors for online reporting. This brings ECM’s total awards to 69 since our launch in 2008. “This is public service journalism at its finest—identify the problem for readers and track the changes. It worked in this case. Bravo,” commented a judge for the James Julian award, which includes a $100 cash prize for our story titled Why is County Veterans Service Department ignoring rural East County vets? By Miriam Raftery. After the report aired, Supervisor Dianne Jacob introduced a measure later adopted to bring veterans’ services to county libraries in rural locations. Tom Abbott won a first place award for his dramatic photograph, Lone firefighter shot during the Chariot Fire, which judges praised as a “good photo of a breaking news event.” The best talk/interview story was awarded to Miriam Raftery for her Draining Lake Morena interviews on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ. The judges remarked, “This show serves an important community service by hosting public discussions on-air about controversial issues.” In the investigative/enterprise story category for daily reporting, Raftery won first place for What’s polluting waterways in Ocotillo? The story revealed how a green energy project may be threatening a town’s water supply. The judges remarked, “Aggressive reporting that won’t take `no’ for an answer.’” Raftery also won first place in the opinion/editorial category for An ill wind blowing. The judges commented, “Hammer blow after hammer blow nails each devastating point of the argument in this piece aimed at keeping a `green’ wind-powered system from destroying land, businesses, wildlife and people.” East County Magazine Show producer Miriam Raftery also received a second place award in radio/audio community services program or series for Out of the Ashes: Special Report on the 10 Year Anniversary of the Cedar Fire, aired KNSJ. Raftery covered the 2007 wildfires and revisited contacts from her reporting a decade ago as well as some never-before-told stories from one of the worst firestorms in California history. Tom and Nadin Abbott shared an honorable mention in the breaking news category for their behind-fire lines coverage of the Chariot Fire, which destroyed over 100 homes on Mount Laguna in 2013. The story was titled Historic lodge at Shrine Camp, Foster Lodge cabin among 108 buildings destroyed in Chariot Fire. Raftery picked up a second place in the breaking news story category for 1800 acres of wilderness scorched in San Felipe amid growing concerns over out-of-control burn. She also received two honorable mentions for Grand Jury issues report on GUHSD and Alpine High School in the education category and in the environmental category for The betrayal of Boulevard: could this happen to your town, too?” Competition was stiff in the SPJ journalism awards competition this year, with more than 500 total entries received. East County Magazine is a division of the nonprofit 501c3 Heartland Coalition/Heartland Foundation. KNSJ is a nonprofit public radio station broadcasting from Descanso. It can be heard at 89.1 FM. The East County Magazine show airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. with reruns on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9 a.m. and Saturdays at 8 a.m. Printer-friendly version
PUBLIC URGES CPUC TO MAKE UTILITIES, NOT RATEPAYERS, PAY FOR MISTAKES AT SAN ONOFRE
By Nadin Abbott Photos Tom Abbott October 2, 2012 (San Diego) — The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) held two meetings on October 2 at the Bahr Shrine Auditorium in Kearny Mesa. The first session had about 50 members of the public attending, ratepayers who came from all over Southern California, including San Diego’s East County. The common theme from residents, expressed well by Carol Jahnkow from Encinitas, was, “Why should rate payers pay for Southern California Edison (SCE) and San Diego Gas and Electric’s (SDG&E) mistakes?” Paul Dosik of El Cajon, a retired Electrical Engineer, said that the “untested design should have gotten regulatory approval.” The rate payers should not pay for it. A gentleman from Santee stated, “I am opposed to any back charge.” He also said that both utilities are monopolies. Sempra Energy, the owner of SDG&E is investor owned and seeks profits for its shareholders. John Fox of California Public Interest Research Group (CALPIRG) made the same point. “Rate payers played no role in the decisions made by the utilities.” He added that the utilities have already collected $4.5 million since San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) went officially offline. This is part of the funds needed to safely decommission the plant. The other common theme stated by many speakers is the high cost the utilities have imposed on Southern California ratepayers. Maris Brancheau told Commissioner Mike Florio and Administrative Judge Kevin Dudney that it is time to move away from these large energy behemoths. She also said “the CPUC is trying to push under the rug what they did.” She also emphasized another point about the cost of power, since she is originally from Borrego Springs, one of the poorest areas of the county—and the hottest: “Borrego Springs people cannot afford to run the AC and people die.” Echoing Brancheau was Michael Richard, Associate State Director of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), California Division, told Commissioner Florio that “general rate increases make it harder for members on fixed incomes.” A few of the attendees were seniors on fixed incomes who confirmed that point. Pete Hasapopoulos of the Sierra Club told the commissioner that the “surcharge is on it’s 20th month.” He urged, “Do not allow the subsidy to continue forever–immediately end the subsidy.” He added that since San Onofre has been offline SDG&E has tried to saddle the County residents with power infrastructure, such as Pio Pico, a gas-powered plant that he believes is not needed since solar is growing. Elected officials speak Before the meeting ECM talked with Assemblymember Toni Atkins of the 76th district. She said that she was coming “to talk about protecting the ratepayers.” When she addressed the Commissioner in February of 2013 she “joined rate payer advocates in calling for the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station or SONGS to immediately remove from the rate base for Southern California Edison and San Diego Gas and Electric.” The reason for this was that SONGS stopped generating electricity in January of 2012. Therefore, ratepayers have been paying for power that they have not been receiving. State Senator Marty Block sent Allison Don, his field representative. She told the Commissioner that it is time for Southern California Edison to be transparent, especially “with the premature retirement of SONGS.” She talked about ratepayers paying fees on a station that was on life support, and continuing to pay for them. She echoed Atkins, saying that ratepayers “should cease to be charged.” She mentioned State Code 451, which requires “that rates are just and reasonable.” What the two utilities are doing is unjust, Atkins said. Bruce Coons, candidate for San Diego City Mayor, came before the Commission. He first emphasized his early experience as a purchasing manager for a large corporation. In his view, like many of the speakers, the San Onofre problem was a mistake made by the company. He emphasized that in his view “the investors should not be made whole.” He added, “They should take this loss and not make the ratepayer pay for it.” Anger at both Media and the Commission Pat Gar asked the Commission that the “next time you have a hearing, the local press cover it.” She suggested a press conference a few days before so the people are aware and make time to come to these hearings. She also told them that there is a rising disparity in incomes, partly because corporations are not made to pay for their mistakes. “You have an opportunity to make this right.” (Note: ECM did publish prior notice of this hearing on our website and broadcast details on our radio show.) Ray Lutz from Citizens Oversight in El Cajon echoed this. He reminded the CPUC that it mostly holds these evidentiary hearings in San Francisco, which makes it impossible for the average ratepayer to attend. It was obvious that Florio was not comfortable as Lutz continued to ask why were these meetings held away from the heart of the problem. Lutz also emphasized that the ratepayers should not pay for the mistakes made by chiefly SCE. It is time to take the ratepayer into account, he argued. The most heart breaking testimony came from Martha Sullivan, who told them that most of her career with the State was at the CPUC. Now that the shoe is on the other foot she now understands how hard it is for ratepayers to have their voices heard. Her voice at times broke as she spoke, reminding the Commissioner that many a times she sat where Florio now did. She also told them that while she was filing for her pension, people still thanked her for still working for the people of California. This was another moment where Florio looked very uncomfortable as she told them that she was sure they did not mean to, but “a thick callus has formed.” The Utilities’ side SDG&E had a media release at the hearing. In its public statement, the utility explained that “without SONGS,
KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE: A PARENTS GUIDE TO BULLYING
By Nadin Abbott Photos by Nadin and Tom Abbott Part two in a three-part series (Read Part One and Part Three) August 29, 2013 (San Diego) – Dana Stevens, Executive Director of the Communities against Substance Abuse (CASA), presented a PowerPoint presentation on bullying for parents last week during a forum on child safety in Santee. East County Magazine has also recently spoken with other bullying experts to get tips on keeping kids safe. “Often times victims of bullying hurt themselves, run away, quit going to school,” said Stevens, adding, “Victims often blame themselves.” This can lead to depression, sadness, and withdrawal. According to Stevens, 18% of ninth graders and 17% of eleventh graders report seriously considering suicide. She added that 14% make a plan to “carry that out.” Bullying was not in the social lexicon until at least the 1970s and that is when research into bullying really began, Stevens noted. Bullying is defined as “a power imbalance between the bully and the target.” It could involve many aspects including gender, language, size of the victim, as well as popularity in school, among others. Bullying can take many forms, ranging from physical to verbal abuse. Then there is social bullying and that which is spread though rumors and innuendo. Also breaking friendships. “This is the kind of behavior we typically see in the middle school campus,” Stevens said. “Verbal bullying is the most reported form; 77% of students report verbal bullying, name calling, teasing, and the bullying we hear the most now is cyber-bullying.” It is carried out through social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram and instant messaging. It can include e-mail and phones. With one stroke, the bully can send his or her message to the world, and it cannot be retrieved. For parents, it is important to empathize with their children, to listen, and to teach their kids to walk away. Do not keep the violence going by encouraging the bully. Do not give the bully what they want, an audience. And for the victim, Stevens advised, “Always remember, it is not your fault.” How does a child avoid becoming a victim? Stevens recommends children develop self-confidence, to speak up, and to develop social skills. Adults need to be a model to children and let them know, firmly, that violence is unacceptable. Teach children to solve conflicts among themselves in a non-violent way. Also do not be afraid to monitor what your child does in cyberspace, Stevens advised. During ComicCon, ECM spoke to other experts on the subject, among them Carrie Goldman, the author of Bullied: What Every Parent, Teacher and Kid NEEDS to Know About Ending the Cycle of Fear. http://www.carriegoldmanauthor.com/ Goldman told ECM that there are ways for kids to prevent cyber-bullying. Among them, children need to learn “not to share their passwords and not to impersonate each other, and to become suspicious if they get a message that seems out of character” from a friend. This usually means that somebody hacked the account. Kids also need to learn “not to forward along nude photos or other cruel message because they are not acting as a mere bystander, but as bullies themselves.” Moreover possession of nude photos of minors can subject them to criminal penalties. Goldman told ECM that adults are “the worst perpetrators of bullying” and that she gets just as many calls from adults as minors. There is quite a bit of bullying in both the workplace and the “online world and forums.” Tina Malka of the Anti-Defamation League said the goal of the ADL is to move children “from the bystander position to the allied position.” She added that “we know bullying is now a 24-7 thing. It’s all the time, it’s inescapable.” Malka told ECM that the ADL produces educational material for children in the San Diego County and works with multiple school districts to bring awareness of the problem. Moreover, because of technology, “If you are getting bullied, you cannot just go home to get away from it.” One of the programs the ADL runs in the county is called “No place for hate.” The objective of the program is to create a culture of tolerance on campus. As a parent, ask your school what programs are in place, and how to deal with bullying. Chiefly, do not ignore it. We are well past the “boys will be boys” mentality—and bullying can have negative consequences not only for victims, but also for the bullies. As Stevens said during last Thursday’s Santee forum, many bullies end up committing felonies as adults. Printer-friendly version
COMIC-CON FAR MORE THAN COSTUMES AND BIG HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTIONS
By Nadin Abbott Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott July 23, 2013 (San Diego) – There is more to Comic-Con than Game of Thrones or cool costumes. Yes, there are plenty of incredible costumes. We promise to show you that aspect of the Convention later in the article with the Steam Punk reunion that happened on Saturday. That said, Comic-Con also has a strong educational aspect to it. You may sit with Maxwell Alexander Drake, author of the Genesis of Oblivion Saga, winner of the Moonbean Fantasy Award Winner for Excellence in Literature. This year he taught in depth how-to writing panels. Then there is Meryl Jaffe, PhD of the Center for Talented Youth at John Hopkins University, who uses graphic novels in education. First we will cover Meryl Jafffe’s comments on comics during a forum run by the Comic Legal Defense Fund. The forum started with the history of comics and kids. She admitted to the forum that, “I was one of those parents who said to my kids, ‘Don’t think you are taking those books out of the library.’” She added that when she was growing up, the popular comics were Archie and a few detectives, but those books were “not what I wanted my kids to read.” She added that her children ran an intervention on her and proved to her that these books had value to them, educational value. Her children sat down with her and said, “If you are interested in literacy, you must look at graphic novels,” she recalled. Jaffe told them to prove it. They did. These days Jaffe emphasizes that these graphic novels can be used to teach Core Curriculum starting as early as grade school. As ECM covered during the convention, March, which recounts the life of Congressman John Lewis, can effectively be used to teach the history of the Civil Rights Movement. Now on to Drake and his contribution to the show. Drake started the how-to panels. These are instructional panels intended to teach prospective writers how to write. How did he get into this at Comic-Con? As Drake told ECM, it was “the right time, right place, trying to meet the right people.” These programs are relatively new. “The first time I talked at Comic-Con was three years ago, and I wasn’t coming that year,” he recalled. Following a last minute cancellation, Maxwell had to plan a trip to Comic-Con three weeks before the convention. He stayed at a hotel at Tijuana. For the next year he was invited almost after the convention was over, almost a full year in advance. “The how-to sessions are more in-depth in specifics. For example the ‘anatomy of a fight scene’ today, I went into the tricks that I use, the tools that I use,” he noted. You can find more about his novels at http://www.GenesisOfOblivion.com. Visit his site at http://www.maxwellalexanderdrake.com. We also had a chance to talk the very creative experts who have created incredible costumes, among them Grady Keeton from East County. ECM asked Keeton, who is an engineer by trade, what is Steampunk? He described it as “Victorian Era science fiction, where things developed a little differently than they did” in our timeline. Some elements include the development of ray guns, or lasers in the 19th century. There is also time travel. Keeton was wearing a field jacket in the British style, made famous by movies, and carried a Pith helmet. As far as costume and character creation, he said that this allows for a lot of variation. “You might see a Victorian dress with something that looks far more modern.” He added, “You could see the work of Jules Verne as one of the earliest representations of the genre.” It is very elaborate, and in his hobby group, members hail from all over the county. We also had a chance to speak with Jimmy Diggs, who is best known for his work in Star Trek. Diggs is currently developing a series. Diggs told ECM that he was attracted to Steampunk because “I love good science fiction. Science fiction that fires up the imagination.” Diggs added that this genre “is very collaborative.” This is not studio based, but rather fan based. This is also the future, and it is as if George Lucas started Star Wars after fans created Wookies, Storm Troopers, and the rest of it, he suggested. He said about fans of the genre, “The people who are involved in Steampunk are highly imaginative, creative people.” Diggs also raised another important aspect to the genre. “Fifty percent of the fan base for Steampunk is female; it is the most female driven genre of science fiction out there. And I love that!” The project itself is going to be on Kickstarter, and the motto is ”The Future Is in Your Hands.” They will literally let fans decide how episode ends, and how plot arcs will develop. The reason for this is that the universe created by Diggs subscribes to the multiverse theory of quantum mechanics. This means that every decision you make will affect the time line. In this universe, H.G Wells wrote novels to warn of the future. The first was War of the Worlds, later made famous by Orson Welles’ radio broadcast on October 30, 1938 that panicked audiences mistook for an actual news broadcast. In this universe he also co-invented all his technology with Nikola Tesla. Time travel and parallel universes are real, fans believe. The novels are a place where Wells hides the clues of many futures, and the Martians will come back. In the series, actual historical figures will be part of it. For example two episodes will feature Sigmund Freud. Another will feature Mark Twain. The series is called “The Crypto Historians.” Printer-friendly version
ECM EARNS 11 AWARDS AT SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB CEREMONY
8 of 11 awards recognize ECM’s in-depth coverage of energy issues in our region By Miriam Raftery October 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Continuing our proud tradition, East County Magazine was once again among the top recipients of honors at tonight’s San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. All entries were in the Daily Newspapers and Websites category, going up against the major print newspapers and online news sites in our region. The majority of the honors recognized ECM’s in-depth coverage of the impacts of major energy projects, including industrial wind turbines, on local rural, mountain and desert communities. ECM editor Miriam Raftery won nine awards, including a first place award in general news for Silence of the Lambs: U.S. Government authorizes killing of endangered bighorns in path of wind project. Raftery and ECM intern Mia Myklebust shared an additional first place award in the public service/consumer advocacy category for Jacumba: A town surrounded. That story focused on the impacts of major energy projects on a small rural community. Scroll down to see our full list of winners and read the winning entries. Raftery’s entry titled This was your land: East County suffers loss of our public properties picked up two awards, winning first place in the public service/consumer advocacy category as well as second place among all general interest website entries—a category open only to all first place winners across other categories. The piece documented the cumulative impact of factors including wildfires, Sunrise Powerlink, proposed wind projects and more on our state and federal lands. Photographer Tom Abbott won first place in the live or breaking news category for his winning image during the during the June Primary titled “DeMaio and Filner gear up for partisan fight.” Nadin Abbott, a citizen journalist trained by ECM, picked up a second place in the health and medicine category for San Diego’s high suicide rates—and how to get help. Four writers and photographers (Jim Pelley, Susan Massey, Denee Estevan Woolley and Miriam Raftery shared a second place in the Multicultural category for Tribal members hold vigil at Ocotillo wind site. Another wind energy story, Whistleblower alleges gag order, written by Raftery received a second place award for investigative reporting. In addition, Raftery’s Wind Storm: An ECM special report series on potential impacts of the Ocotillo Express wind project” won second place in the Series category. Read these excerpts from the series, which documents impacts of Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Express wind development, a case study illustrating the negative consequences of federal fast-tracking of large energy projects: Part I: Tribes implore President Obama to stop Ocotillo wind project, save cultural sites Part II: Whistleblower alleges gag order kept state park employees from revealing harm to Anza Borrego Desert State Park (a joint investigation with 10 News) Part III: Potential risks to residents from 20 square mile wind project proposed for Ocotillo Part IV: Planners approve Ocotillo wind, ignore serious health and safety issues, environmental impacts, community and tribal concerns Raftery’s editorial titled Supervisors should deny Pattern Energy’s application for Ocotillo Express wind won third place in the essay/commentary/opinion category. In addition, Raftery took third place in the Feature category with A Friday that was anything but black, describing a day of wine-tasting and fall foliage viewing along the back roads of East County. Printer-friendly version
MIRAMAR AIR SHOW TAKES TO THE SKIES THIS WEEKEND
By Nadin Abbott Photos by Tom Abbott October 11, 2012 (Miramar Marine Corp Air Station)—This weekend’s air show at Miramar is the largest show in the continental United States, according to Lt. Col. Farnan. Visitors to the base can expect to see “more civilian and military aircraft in one place” than anywhere else. The V-22 Osprey, an aircraft capable of vertical take off and landing (VTOL) will be showcased at this year’s show. It is used to transport 24 fully equipped troops as well as equipment. It is considered a versatile aircraft that is multi-mission capable. http://www.boeing.com/rotorcraft/military/v22/ Things that visitors can expect are the popular MAGTAV, the exercise where the Marines mock taking over the tarmac. Also there will be a night show, with fireworks displays. Moreover the Osprey will do a separate show. Faran emphasized good relations with the community. As he put it, “San Diego is unbelievable. I cannot thank San Diego enough.” Do’s and Dont’s… According to Lt. Col. Evan R. Wahl, the Station Operations Officer, they actually expect clear weather during the weekend. Hence they do not expect the air show “to be weather affected.” If the cloud ceiling drops to 1,000 feet or below, however, that could lead to a change in the event schedule. The base expects to see at least half a million visitors over the three days, perhaps all the way to three quarters of a million. So be patient when arriving and leaving. There is plenty of parking as well. Wahl said that people should avoid large bags, and if you must carry items, bring a small bag. Expect that to be checked, and there will be assistance from the TSA. Coolers will not be allowed in, and he asks people to use sunscreen. Bring hats, glasses and yes, hearing protection since it will get loud. Wahl also said that dehydration is a common problem. If people need water, it will be available at the Air show. Among the most popular attractions at the show are the Blue Angels. We had an opportunity to talk to Lt. Commander Dave Tickle. He is the pilot of the Number Six bird. This means that part of his job is to show you the full capabilities of the F-18 Super Hornet. His favorite maneuver is to come from behind the crowd and then take the fighter almost vertical and engage in fast turns and loops. As Tickle explained this showcases the ability of the fighter to sneak behind you. Tickle is 31 year old and hails from Birmingham. He considers “flying with the Blue Angels to be a high honor.” They are ambassadors from both the Navy and the Maine Corp to the American people. Before joining the team he did two combat deployments on board the USS Enterprise and logged twelve hundred and fifty hours of flight time. Pilots in the team come from the Tactical Air Fighter communities. Moreover, the F-18 he flies, “is the same fighter our pilots fly currently on deployments around the world.” The team is highly competitive, and this year out thirty pilots who applied, only two made it. This team is just as competitive for maintenance and support staff. For the purpose of the show they will not break the sound barrier, since “we don’t want top break any windows.” We learned from the staff as well that if there was a need, these fighters can be turned around and be combat ready within 72 hours. They also have the same avionics package as the rest of the fighters in the fleet. The C-130 that accompanies the team is operated fully by Marine Corp Personnel. This year is also the Centennial of Marine Aviation and the Bicentennial of the War of 1812 with the British. (This is the war when the White House was burned.) The team has two number seven planes. They are two seaters, and are used to take up photographers, VIPs, and future team members to familiarize them with their position. One word of caution, the CHP will enforce no parking on the freeway and SDPD will tow vehicles away. If you want to go to the show, go on base and have some fun. Printer-friendly version
ECM WRITERS, PHOTOGRAPHERS TO BE HONORED AT 2012 SAN DIEGO PRESS CLUB AWARDS
September 28, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – For the fifth year in a row, East County Magazine reporters and photographers will be taking home awards in the San Diego Press Club Excellence in Journalism Awards. Nadin Abbott, Tom Abbott, Jim Pelley, Ryan Schuler, and ECM editor Miriam Raftery are all winners in the 2012 competition. The winning categories—and just how many awards ECM has won – will be announced on October 23 at the San Diego Hall of Champions. Jim Pelley is our Ocotillo-based photojournalist who has been documenting issues involving the Ocotillo Express wind project. Nadin and Tom Abbott have covered major wildfires, political events and other top news stories. Ryan Schuler, our sportswriter, was an intern with ECM at the time he picked up his award, though we don’t yet know whether he won for his ECM stories or coverage in the Daily Aztec, where he also writes. ECM editor Miriam Raftery has received more than 100 journalism awards in her career. Society of Professional Journalists San Diego chapter honored Raftery with its 2012 James Julian Memorial Award presented for Raftery’s investigative reports which led to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) retracting its demand that local wildfire victims return disaster funds. Raftery has also received an American Society of Journalists and Authors national Arlene Award for community reporting for her coverage of election integrity issues. East County Magazine has received dozens of top journalism awards since our launch in September 2008. San Diego Press Club named East County Magazine the best general interest website in San Diego County for 2009. Our website was also named second best news site after the San Diego Union-Tribune. ECM awards include top prizes for investigative reporting, breaking news, features, multi-cultural coverage, environmental reporting and many other categories. Our nonprofit media site has also received an investigative reporting award from Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) San Diego chapter, as well as an SPJ award for editorial writing. In 2012, we received the 2012 Media Award from the League of Women Voters, San Diego for our coverage of developers’ efforts to abolish community planning groups. View the complete list of 2012 San Diego Press Club winners here: http://www.sdpressclub.org/uploads/2012_Awards_Winners_Announced.pdf Printer-friendly version