CASINO NIGHT A WIN FOR LA MESA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery Jeff Hallman (right) of Hallman Jewlers portrayed James Bond; Mary England (center) filled the bill as a Bond Girl for the La Meas Chamber’s Casino Night; George Juchum (left) is owner of Rockscapes, Inc. April 14, 2009 (San Diego)—More than 175 guests filled the Golden Ballroom at the Town & Country Hotel for the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce’s Casino Royale event last week. Emcee Jeff Hallman played the role of James Bond, with Chamber president Mary England doubling as a “Bond Girl” for the evening’s festivities which included dinner, installation of new officers and recognition of local heroes who help make our community safe. Even dessert rolled out with a casino theme! Guests tried their luck at roulette, blackjack and other games of chance. Elected officials, including Mayor Art Madrid, were among those in attendance. Party-goers also bid on live and silent auction items including a Dan Fouts jersey, Chargers helmet, wide-screen TV, and a Mexican vacation, with radio personality Joe Bauer serving as auctioneer. Local heroes recognized for their dedication and commitment included American Medical Response paramedics Adam Galotti and Susan Keith, La Mesa Fire Department members Sonny Saghera and Chris Kleist, La Mesa Police detective Bryan Jacoby and officer Cesa Delgado, and La Meas Police retired senior volunteer patrol memers Belle Sutker and Marce Atkisson. Guests tried their luck at gaming tables Auction included sports memorabilia The 2009-10 board of directors for the Chamber was also presented, including chairman of the board Michael Murphy, vice chairman Jim Wieboldt, vice president David Meyer, treasurer David Smyle, secretary Cindy Braaksma, and board members Jennifer Burnett, Laurel Cruz, Joseph Kitzman, Laura Lothian, Heidi Chacon, Brady Gunther, Duane Lewis, and Steve South. Topping off the evening, even dessert fit the casino theme—complete with edible dice and chocolate coins, making the evening a sweet success for all. Chamber officers were honored at the event “The evening was so popular that I have reserved the date for our 2nd Annual Casino Royale event ,” England disclosed. “It will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at the Town & Country Hotel in the Town & Country Ballroom.” Printer-friendly version
SUPERVISOR JACOB & AREA MAYORS TO SPEAK MAY 1 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly versionApril 26, 2009 (El Cajon)–County Supervisor Dianne Jacob is scheduled to be joined by several mayors of East County cities as featured speakers at the East County Chamber of Commerce’s “First Friday Breakfast” starting at 7:15 a.m., Friday, May 1, at Grossmont College’s Student Center on the eastern side of the campus. Also speaking at the breakfast will be Barry Jantz, 2009 chairman of the San Diego East County Economic Development Council (ECEDC), sponsor of the program. The ECEDC, an alliance of key representatives from business, government and education, works to foster economic prosperity in San Diego’s East County region. Immediately following the conclusion of the Chamber breakfast, a brief ceremony will be held starting at 9 a.m. to honor El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco as the 2009 inductee to the Grossmont College Foundation Walk of Fame. Located a short distance from the college’s Student Center, in the Main Quad area on campus, the Walk of Fame is a display of bronze plaques, embedded in concrete, that feature the names of distinguished Grossmont College alumni. Since Grossmont College Foundation began its Walk of Fame program in 1989, the 18 previous honorees have included medical researchers, political advocates, artists, athletes and community leaders. The Foundation is a non-profit organization that directly supports Grossmont College students, faculty and staff through scholarships, educational equipment and supplies, facilities and education programs. Sprecco earned his associate degree in administration of justice from Grossmont College in 1976. As a Grossmont college student, he worked for a brief time at the college as a campus security officer. Also while attending Grossmont College, he was hired by the El Cajon P.D. to maintain and wash the police vehicles. His career with the El Cajon Police Department spans 37 years. He was appointed chief in March 2008. The public is invited to attend both events. Admission for the Chamber’s breakfast is $20 for Chamber members with reservations, and $25 at the door for Chamber members or potential members. To reserve a seat, call the Chamber reservation hotline at (619) 440-0706, or visit www.eastcountychamber.org. There is no cost to attend the Walk of Fame ceremony. Grossmont College is located at 8800 Grossmont College Dr., in El Cajon. For driving directions and a campus map, visit www.grossmont.edu. For additional information, phone Grossmont College’s Office of College and Community Relations at (619) 644-7868. Printer-friendly version
SWINE FLU STRAIN IN SAN DIEGO MATCHES DEADLY VIRUS IN MEXICO; ANTI-VIRAL MEDICINES COMBAT DISEASE IF TREATED EARLY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery ECM intern Marissa Kerizan also contributed to this story. April 25, 2009 (San Diego)—The Center for Disease Control has found that swine flu virus strains in San Diego match samples of a virus that has killed 81 people and sickened over 1,300 in Mexico. In Mexico City, where the majority of cases occurred, all public events have been suspended. Schools, museums, theaters and libraries there have been closed to halt spread of the disease. Twenty confirmed cases in the U.S., including four in San Diego, have raised concerns among public health officials locally and nationally. Cases have also been confirmed in Mexicali near the border, in other cities in Mexico, in Imperial County, California, Texas, Kansas and most recently, eight students at a New York school where 75 people became ill. “We do not know whether this swine flu virus or some other influenza virus will lead to the next pandemic,” said Dr. Ricahrd Besser, acting director of the Center for Disease Control. “However, scientists around the world continue to monitor the virus,” he said in a conference call with reporters. “This is something we are worried about and we are treating seriously.” The CDC is working with the World Health Organization (WHO), which has dispatched experts to Mexico to work with health authorities on diagnosis and disease management. At the San Ysidro and Otay border crossings, U.S customs officials have been given masks to wear if they wish. The border remains open and no travel restrictions have been imposed. Swine flu is a respiratory disease that originated in pigs but is now believed to be being transmitted person-to-person. The illness can also be spread through contact with infected pigs, but cannot be caught by eating pork. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, fatigue, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. None of the San Diego cases were treated in East County hospitals, ECM has confirmed. But health officials have not disclosed where patients live or work. that While all four people treated in San Diego with the disease have recovered, the illness can lead to fatalities from complications such as pneumonia. Although there is not yet a vaccine, this strain of swine influenza found locally can be treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir, antiviral drugs that can make illness milder, speed healing and prevent serious complications. The medications work best if started within two days after symptoms first appear. The disease remains contagious for seven days or longer. "We have heightened our surveillance and put area healthcare providers on alert. This will most likely generate additional cases of human infection with swine influenza," said County Public Health Officer Dr. Wilma Wooten. San Diego County health officials urge people with influenza-like symptoms to contact their healthcare providers, and offer this added advice. If you are sick, stay home and avoid contact with other people. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze and discard tissue after use. Wash hands with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective. Emergency warning signs that need emergency medical care include: CHILDREN Trouble breathing or fast breathing, bluish skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or not interacting, being too irritable to be held, flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough, or fever with a rash. ADULTS Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in chest or abdomen, sudden dizziness, confusion, severe or persistent vomiting. For more details, call San Diego County’s Swine Influenza Information Line at (858)715-2250, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/swine or call 1-800-CDC-INFO. Printer-friendly version
HOLLINGSWORTH OPPOSES BILLS TO RESTRICT SALE OF TOBACCO NEAR SCHOOLS & ADD RENEWAL FEE FOR TOBACCO LICENSES; SENATOR TOOK HEFTY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM TOBACCO INDUSTRY
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 24, 2009 (Sacramento) California State Senate Leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murietta), whose district includes San Diego’s East County, has issued a statement opposing three bills aimed at restricting sale of tobacco to minors. The three measures, SB 601, 602 and 603, passed the Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee on a party-line vote. Holilngsworth took $39,500 in campaign donations from the tobacco industry between 2003 and 2006, according to a 2007 report issued by the Center for Tobacco Research Control and Education. http://repositories.cdlib.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1074&context=ctcre “Californians are starving for real leadership to get us out of this economic mess,” a press release issued by Hollingsworth’s office said. “Further burdening small businesses in our current economic crisis does not promote that goal.” Hollingsworth pledged to work for “real job growth and economic recovery” but did not provide specifics. Nor did his press release mention that the measures he opposes were aimed at restricting access by minors to tobacco. SB 601 would prohibit sale of tobacco within 1,000 feet of elementary or secondary schools. It would also restrict tobacco retail licenses to grocery stores, convenience stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, tobacco and cigar stores. SB 602 would prohibit issuance of new tobacco retail licenses in areas that already have a high concentration of tobacco retailers. It would also eliminate bureaucratic obstacles to enforcement against retailers who sell tobacco to minors in violation of state laws. SB 603 would create a $100 annual renewal fee for tobacco retail licenses. It would also limit the number of tobacco retailer licenses issued to one for every 2,500 people over 18 years of age. For more details on the bills, visit http://www.center4tobaccopolicy.org/_files/_files/New%20Bills%20Legislative%20Update%20_2_.pdf Printer-friendly version