GROSSMONT COLLEGE SEEKS ALUMNI TO HONOR IN WALK OF FAME
Printer-friendly version March 4, 2009 (El Cajon)—The Grossmont College Foundation, a non-profit organization that raises funds for educational programs benefiting students at Grossmont College in El Cajon, is seeking nominations for its 2009 Walk of Fame Alumni Award. The Walk of Fame, located on campus in the Main Quad area, is a display of several bronze plaques embedded in concrete that feature names of previous distinguished alumni. Nominees must have completed a minimum of 12 units at Grossmont College, earned a minimum 2.0 grade point average and contributed significant achievements and leadership in their field. Deadline for submission of entries is 4 p.m. on Monday, March 23. Names can be submitted via e-mail to Ernest Ewin, Grossmont College Foundation executive director, at ernest.ewin@gcccd.edu, or call Alexis Popko for a nomination form at the Foundation office at (619) 644-7109. New honorees are expected to be announced in May. The Foundation’s efforts help fund scholarships, facility improvements and educational supplies, equipment and programs. The Walk of Fame program began in 1989. Among the 18 previous Walk of Fame recipients are medical researchers, political advocates, artists, athletes and community leaders, including nurse educator Dr. Dorothy Wiley, athletes Brian Sipe, Brad Daluiso and Joe Roth, actors Robert Hays and David Leisure, comedian Dat Tien Phan and musician Bernard “Buddy Blue” Seigal. Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON EMPLOYEES GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITY
Printer-friendly version March 3, 2009 (El Cajon)—From blood drives to helping families during the holidays, City of El Cajon employees take pride in getting together throughout the year to help others. When City employees learned of the shortages occurring at the local food banks due to the struggling economy, the Employee Special Events Committee launched a food drive. For over a month, City employees brought in non-perishable food items to be donated to families trying to make ends meet. On Monday, March 2, City employees gathered in front of stacks and stacks of donated food items and delivered it to the Crisis House on Magnolia Avenue. The City’s Special Events Committee, who organized the donation of the food, was overwhelmed by the response. Committee members are: Angela Aguirre, Lori Bogan, Eric Craig, Merce Edwards, Karla Lowe, Jennifer Lytle, Maria Navarro, Betsy Schofer and Ron Valles. Committee member Jennifer Lytle said, "The City of El Cajon Special Events Committee Food Drive has been an excellent opportunity for City employees to lend a hand to the community we are proud to be a part of." Receiving the food at Crisis House was Assistant Director Ron Miller. He said, "Thank you so much to the employees of the City of El Cajon, their large donation of food is very much needed and very much appreciated. Given the state of the economy donations have been down, but today’s donation from the City will provide food to 30 to 35 families and individuals we help each day." For thirty-five years the volunteers at the Crisis House have offered special services aimed at helping disadvantaged and homeless families and individuals in the East County, providing the guidance and resources necessary to achieve a successful transition to self-sufficiency. Their offices are located at 1034 N. Magnolia Avenue. For more information, or if you’d like to help, please call the Crisis House at (619) 444-1194. Printer-friendly version
RELIGIOUS ART FESTIVAL WINNERS ANNOUNCED AT St. MARK’S UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Printer-friendly version Resurerction Flower,award-winning photo by mkona Schlesinger of Poway March 4, 2009 (San Diego)—Many East County residents were accepeted into the 46th annual all-media Religious Art Festival of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church by juror Hiroshi Miyazaki. In the poetry division Elaine Parker, Rancho San Diego won second place and Eldon (Mike) Meyer of Lemon Grove received two Honorable Mention Awards. Poway artists Mona Schlesinger and Janet Perkin received Honorable Mention Awards in art. Other East County artists in the show include Arthur Matula, Rolando; Beverly Savinski, Poway; Betsy Brown, El Cajon; Elaine Davis and Olga Scolari, Jamul; and Bill Williams, Escondido. Joyce Mate of Rancho Bernardo had a poem accepted. The top art winners are Catherine MacDonald, University City, first place; Daniel Manley, Clairemont, second place; and Jose Morales, Clairemont, third place. Other Poetry winners are: Kathy O’Fallon, Lake Arrowhead, first place; second place; and Karen Scanlon, Clairemont, third place. The general public is welcome to attend the FREE Awards Ceremony on Saturday, March 7, in the church sanctuary, 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego. Angie and John Serrano will provide special music for the ceremony with piano, soprano saxophone and vocals. A reception will follow the ceremony. The show, which is in the church sanctuary, will also be open for FREE viewing on Saturdays March 14, 21, 28, and April 4 and 11, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Groups may schedule a time to see the show outside these hours by calling the church office at 858-273-1480. Printer-friendly version
SUSTAINABLE JULIAN: IS IT POSSIBLE? MARCH 21 WORKSHOP WILL UNVEIL AMBITION COMMUNITY PLANS
Printer-friendly version Kathleen Beck and Jeanette Hartman (Brian Kramer) March 8, 2009 (Julian) — Julian residents and environmentalists are embarking on an ambitious plan to make this historic mountain town energy-self-sufficient using renewable resources. Starting with a wind demonstration project at the library, the plan calls for 200 homes in Julian to become self-sustaining through wind and solar energy. "The more that Julian becomes renewable energy self-sufficient, the more control its residents and businesses will have over the supply and price of the energy they need to survive," says environmental designer Jim Bell. Ultimately, Julian could also create a positive cash flow to boost its economy by producing its own clean, green energy, program proponents believe. On March 21st at 1 p.m., Bell and others will present "Sustainable Julian" in the Julian Library, 1850 Highway 78 in Julian. In addition to promoting sustainable energy, the program will also teach the potential for Julian to become water and food self-sufficient as well. Admission to the event is free. Julian resident Jeanette Hartman, who holds degrees in biology and geography, will discuss plans to start a center for responsible energy in Julian under a nonprofit, From the Ground Up, now being formed. "Our first project will be a demonstration project at the library, where we will demonstrate various types of responsible energy systems, meaning environmentally and socially responsible," Hartman said, citing solar and wind as examples. "If you break down what Sempra is trying to do with major national energy corridors, they are not socially responsible," said Hartman, who opposes Sempra’s proposed Sunrise Powerlink high voltage-transmission lines. "As part of this library program, our aim is to get 200 homes self-sustaining, meaning they are not tied into the power grid, because if you are tied into the grid you are vulnerable to the utilities," Hartman explained. "We don’t want to be vulnerable to them anymore. They are threatening to turn our power off during high winds, because they don’t want to be responsible for fires caused by downed power lines. They’ve proven themselves to be irresponsible." The Sustainable Julian event was the brainchild of Kathleen Beck, a Wynola resident who organized People’s Powerlink, the first grassroots organization formed to halt Sempra’s Powerlink project. She later obtained a master’s degree in humane education and wrote a thesis titled Building Human Activism. "So many people know we have to stop global warming, but they think the only answer is these huge corporate-sponsored alternative energy projects," Beck observed. "Some of us are now saying that with a bigger-is-better philosophy, you get a lot of problems." Instead of massive wind farms or solar farms, Beck and others are proposing a different solution. "Energy generated close to its source–that’s been my motto all along," said Beck, who encourages people to take power into their own hands by attending community meetings and creating local solutions to meet energy needs such as harnessing wind energy in Julian, solar in Anza-Borrego, and geothermal from the Salton Sea to help nearby communities meet power needs. "If every community investigated what they could do and took responsibility, I think we’d find we don’t need these huge transmission lines," she concluded. Beck will also instruct area residents on how to create "victory boxes" — gardens to help Julian become sustainable in food as well as energy production. For more information on sustainability, visit www.jimbell.com. All materials are free to download and read, including two of Bell’s books and a video. Printer-friendly version
COLLEGE DISTRICT BIDS FAREWELL TO CHANCELOR
Printer-friendly versionDr. Omero Suarez’ 11-year legacy transformed district March 2, 2009 (EL CAJON)–After more than a decade at the helm of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Dr. Omero Suarez turned off the lights in his office a final time Friday, ready to embark on a new chapter in his life. He will be replaced by Dr. Cindy Miles, who begins her job today. The past few days have been punctuated by a succession of farewell presentations and gatherings, as governing board members, faculty, staff and students paid tribute to the retiring chancellor’s contributions to the district. His ccomplishments have been highlighted by Governing Board President Bill Garrett and others at the Feb. 17 board meeting, where Suarez was presented with a crystal trophy. Uder his leadership, the district has broadened its scope and significance to the region. More than 29,000 students now turn to Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges each semester to better their lives and fulfill dreams, 36 percent more than when Suarez first arrived. The Chancellor’s reign was not without controversy, notably over his removal of a buy-out clause in his contract without board permission. But on the occasion of his retirement, bard members offered only praise. Proposition R, the $207 million facilities bond measure that has been "such a transformational force to the district" and the chancellor’s leadership in ensuring more equitable state funding for community colleges top a long list of Suarez’district achievements, said Garrett. Governing Board member Deanna Weeks noted the alignment of courses within the district so that students’ credits earned at one college would be recognized by the other. It was not always so, the trustee pointed out. And no longer do students have to submit separate applications at each college. "You’ve done wonderful things for this district," said Governing Board member Rick Alexander. "You should be extremely proud of your accomplishments." Academic Senate Presidents Chris Hill and Michael Wangler thanked Suarez "for all you have done." Classified Senate President Debi Miller and the classified senate executive board presented him with a plaque on behalf of the classified senate, a group representing non-teaching staff. On Thursday, headed to what he thought was a business meeting at Cuyamaca College, Suarez was the guest of honor at a surprise farewell gathering, where he was presented a framed collage of familiar scenes around the campus. "At our informal farewell event, we wanted to celebrate the many ways Chancellor Suarez has supported the entire district and particularly our students," said Dr. Cristina Chiriboga, interim president. "Certainly the building out of college facilities via Proposition R has made it possible offer students state-of-the-art learning venues. As well, his leadership in ensuring equalization provided much-needed funding that ultimately benefited students and helps us accomplish our educational mission." One final tribute open to the community is planned for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Sycuan Resort Garden Room, 3007 Dehesa Road in El Cajon. Printer-friendly version
COLLEGE DISTRICT BIDS FAREWELL TO CHANCELOR
Printer-friendly versionDr. Omero Suarez: 11-year legacy transformed district March 2, 2009 (EL CAJON)–After more than a decade at the helm of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District, Dr. Omero Suarez turned off the lights in his office a final time Friday, ready to embark on a new chapter in his life. He will be replaced by Dr. Cindy Miles, who begins her job today. Printer-friendly version
VIEJAS ENTERPRISES RECEIVES BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
Printer-friendly versionMarch 3, 2009 (San Diego)–At an inaugural celebration, Viejas Enterprises was awarded the East County Regional Business of the Year by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce. The first "Bet on the Chamber" celebration, held at Viejas’ DreamCatcher Lounge, recognized over 20 outstanding East County businesses.The Chamber annually recognizes businesses throughout East County that have made a substantial contribution to the community. Viejas was the proud recipient of the highest award due to their continual community support and exceptional business practices. "Being awarded the business of the year by the East County Chamber is quite an honor," said Viejas Tribal Chairman, Bobby L. Barrett. "The East County community is lucky to have so many outstanding businesses contributing to the local economy. Viejas works hard to be one of the best year after year, and we are thankful to be recognized for our efforts." The Viejas Band of Kumeyaay Indians is a sovereign Nation whose people have inhabited the San Diego County area for thousands of years. The 1,600 acre Viejas Indian Reservation is located near Alpine, California, approximately 35 miles east of San Diego. Viejas Enterprises operates the Tribe’s business entities, including the Viejas Casino; Viejas Outlet Center; Viejas Entertainment & Production; Three Fires LLC and Four Fires LLC, two partnerships that have developed hotels in Washington, D.C. and Sacramento, California; Borrego Springs Bank; three radio stations and two RV parks. For more information, visit www.viejasbandofkumeyaay.org. Printer-friendly version
CONGRESS ENACTS NEW FIRST-TIME HOME BUYER TAX CREDIT
Printer-friendly versionMarch 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–A tax credit of up to $8,000 is now available for qualified first-time home buyers purchasing a principal residence on or after January 1, 2009 and before December 1, 2009. Unlike the tax credit enacted in 2008, the new credit does not have to be repaid. Learn how you can take advantage of this $8,000 tax credit to buy the home of your dreams. http://www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com/2009/home2.html First-time home buyers who purchased a principal residence on or after April 9, 2008 and before January 1, 2009 may qualify for a $7,500 tax credit. Click here for more information. Printer-friendly version