CAL FIRE RESPONDS TO SEVERAL SMALL FIRES, ALL DOUSED QUICKLY
Printer-friendly versionJune 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)4 p.m. – Lightning started several small fires this afternoon in San Diego’s eastern region, including multiple blazes in the Deer Springs area, all extinguished at less than an acre apiece. “A couple of them actually hit power lines,” said Captain Nick Schuler of CAL-FIRE. Another lightning-sparked fire also burned approximately one acre in the 2000 block of Willow Glen Road in Fallbrook. In addition, the cause of a small fire in Ramona this afternoon remains under investigation. Smoke also billowed up over portions of East County from a controlled burn east of Boulevard. “The burn will continue tomorrow,” said Schuler, who sent a photo of the Fallbrook fire shown here. CAL-FIRE transitioned to peak staffing on June 1st, with 26 engines each staffed by four-man crews. In addition, our region has two air tankers, a Sheriff’s helicopter and one air attack vehicle pre-stationed here for the summer months. Despite steep state budget cuts, fire equipment for our region remains the same as last year, with manpower per engine actually increased in preparation for hot, dry weather conditions. East County Magazine did not activate our wildfire alert system because the blazes were rapidly contained and posed no threat to structures, roads or residents. Printer-friendly version
MEMO TO ARNOLD: A SCRIPT TO SAVE KALEEFORNIA, NOT TERMINATE IT
Printer-friendly version An Editorial By Miriam Raftery Editor, East County Magazine June 3, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—If California ever needed an action hero at the helm, it’s now. Instead, Arnold has taken the “girlie man” way out –balancing the budget on the backs of the poor by proposing to eliminate healthcare for children and welfare-to-work programs. He also wants to close 80% of state parks, release prisoners, and slash school spending. Granted, a grid-locked Legislature, Republicans who pale at the words “raise revenues,” Democrats who were split on ballot initiatives and fed-up voters who failed to pass the measures have left him few easy choices. But Arnold has one ace left in the hole: star power. Here’s how he can use it to debut the most important road show of his career: “Save Kaleefornia.” 1. Ask your friends in Hollywood—yes, those limousine liberals—to host a “Save Kaleefornia” day. Donate all proceeds from movies shown statewide to a special “Save Kaleefornia” fund. 2. Invite movie stars, TV stars and sports celebrities to donate signed memorabilia for a giant “Save Kaleefornia” celebrity auction. 3. Get Bill Gates to organize an online “Save Kaleefornia” fundraising drive—starting by kicking in a hefty donation himself. 4. Ask your pal Warren Buffett to kick in a billion bucks or so. 5. Urge the top 100 wealthiest people in California to pay their fair share as a public service. Publish a list of all their names. 6. Tell the most profitable corporations to pony up some money, too. I’ll bet SDG&E could spare a few million, given the profits reported on their latest shareholder report. 7. Tell your Republican friends it’s time to take some “personal responsibility” to cover the costs of running this place. Urge them to do some fundraising in their churches, service clubs, and schools. 8. As for Democrats, ask those who would actually have been willing to pay higher fees or taxes to please send in a voluntary donation. 9. Host a “Save Our State Parks” day at every state park in California. Go sign autographs. Triple fees for that day only. Bring a band and a few of your Hollywood friends along for good measure. Sell beer and popcorn for the rednecks, and bring some wine spritzers and sushi for the chi-chi liberal crowd. 10. Star in a new action-packed horror movie: “The Destruction of Kaleefornia.” Then ask people to prevent it from happening. Donate all proceeds to salvage what’s left of our state. 11. Take your show on the road with Bono, Madonna and other rock stars in a “Concerts to Save Kaleefornia” series. Tell everyone in every state that’s ever visited California—or wants to someday—to help out. 12. Ask Miss California for some help. She’s been very eager to save California from gay marriages—maybe she’ll help out by becoming a “Save Kaleefornia” spokesperson, too. I’ll bet that lingerie she modeled would fetch a dandy price on E-Bay. 13. Send CAL-FIRE firefighters and hotshots out to street corners for a “fill the boot” drive. Who can resist a real-life action hero? 14. Major League Baseball, Football and Basketball all seem to be drawing healthy crowds. Why not ask them to designate a “Save Kaleefornia Day” at every stadium in the state, donate a portion of ticket proceeds, and put a donation barrel outside every gate? 15. Ask Obama to urge every American to buy stuff from California. Convince them it’s their patriotic duty—like buying American. Do we really want the sixth largest economy in the world to go belly-up? We’re too large to fail! 16. Go to Europe. Canada. Everywhere. Schmooze heads of state and the populace masses. Ask your legions of fans to help out, too. 17. Hold a special “Save Kaleefornia” lottery drawing and sell tickets. Greed is a powerful motivator! 18. Ask California’s politicians to kick in leftover funds in the campaign coffers. (I’ll bet a lot of them are going to lose. Why not put those excess funds to work?) 19. Hit up your campaign donors for some money to Save Kaleefornia. All those corporate lobbyists surely owe you a few favors. How about hosting a gala? 20. Get the tourists to pitch in, too! Tell ‘em if they want to keep the Golden State golden, they should donate some “gold” of their own. Get businesses to hawk “Save Kaleefornia” T-shirts and other merchandise–think of it as a stiumulus to save our state. Sell “Save Kaleefornia” merchandise at every tourist trap in the state. Speaking of gold, when I was in Sacramento last week , a tour guide in the historic State Capitol (yes, one of those state park museums you want to close) quipped that you might soon be scraping gold off the Capitol dome. I oppose that suggestion. After all, we’ve got to save something for a rainy day! If you wish to send this editorial to the Governor or voice your own views, you can send him an e-mail using this form: http://gov.ca.gov/interact#email Or contact his Capitol office in Sacramento: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-558-3160 ( new number ) Or reach the Governor via his San Diego office: 1350 Front Street, Suite 6054 San Diego, CA 92101 Phone: 619-525-4641 Fax: 619-525-4640 For a list of addresses, phone and fax numbers for the Governor’s offices in other Califiornia cities and in Washington D.C., click here: http://gov.ca.gov/interact#contact. Printer-friendly version
WHAT’S GROWN IN EAST COUNTY STAYS IN EAST COUNTY! A GUIDE TO EAST COUNTY NURSERIES
Printer-friendly versionBy Pamela Homfelt, pH Exterior Design June 1, 2009–If you’re landscaping or gardening in East County, why go anywhere but locally for everything plants? With the great variety and quality of plant nurseries plus economical, environmental and horticultural reasons, there is no reason to travel any further than right around the corner. Most of our East County nurseries are growers, meaning they grow their plants on the premises from seed or very small plants called liners. Transportation costs and environmental hazards are greatly reduced. Buying locally grown food is now advocated as an important environmentally responsible practice, the same can be applied to purchasing garden plants. Just like frequenting your favorite restaurant, forming a personal relationship with a favorite nursery can be very advantageous. As we all know our climate is considerably different from coastal areas. Plants grown coastally are acclimated to cool, sometimes foggy days and even cooler nights. Coastal air contains more humidity and even the intensity of the sun is less than the eastern portion of the county. Plants grown in the same environment in which they live will establish with less stress. What happens when we are happy and less stressed? We are healthy. The same is true for plants and trees: when gardening in East County check out these East County Nurseries: ARMSTRONG GARDEN CENTERS/EL CAJON 1755 E. Main Street El Cajon 92021 619.442.9281 Hours of Operation: 8 – 6pm Daily www.armstronggarden.com Armstrong Nursery with 33 statewide locations is hard to beat for consistent quality and selection. You will notice however, each location has a unique personality. The array of pottery is outstanding, complementing almost every garden style. Trellises, arbors, fountains, statuary, outdoor furniture and so much more, will satisfy every gardener’s cravings. Check out their great selection of hats from San Diego Hat Co., another locally owned company. With three Southern California growing grounds supplying most of their stock, an outstanding selection of prime plants, including herbs, veggies, perennials, succulents, flowering landscape shrubs, grasses, vines, and fruit trees is always available. Check out the ‘Stepables” groundcover that can take some foot traffic. Historically famous for their rose selection, Armstrong’s is usually one of the first to have the newest hybrids, many with colored foliage. Oh, almost forgot, the houseplant selection is fantastic! BLOSSOM VALLEY PROTEA 619.561.8287 Office 619.322.5627 Cell By Appointment only www.blossomvalleyprotea.com If seeking the rare and unusual a visit to the largest Protea nursery in the United States, right here in our own East County is a must! These magnificent landscape plants, from our sister Mediterranean countries of Australia, New Guinea and South Africa, are grown right on the home based grounds. Thriving in our warm dry climate, Proteas are also an absolute must for any cutting garden. Owner Walter Perkola, an expert on these spectacularly blooming plants is also available for consultation. HUNTER’S NURSERY 3110 Sweetwater Road Lemon Grove 91945 619.463.9341 Hours of Operation: Mon/Sat: 7:30 – 5pm Sun: 9 – 4pm So many nurseries are family owned businesses but Hunter’s just might hold the record as the oldest. In 1919 Howard Hunter opened Hunter’s Nursery on the same plot of land which it now sits. Currently managed by Howard’s grandson Guy Hunter and his mother, Betty, the 90-year-old family business is alive and well. Quality landscape plants and trees, from 1 gal to 24” boxes neatly fill the three-acre parcel. Bagged soil, amendments, fountains, statuary and more make this nursery a treasure for surrounding communities. Delivery services are available for larger orders. KNIFFINGS DISCOUNT NURSERY 14940 Oak Creek Road, El Cajon 92021 619.561.0611 Hours of Operation: Mon/Sat: 7 – 5pm Sun: 10 – 4pm www.kniffingsnurseries.com With over 468 rose varieties listed on the website, roses are are the specialties of the house. Since 1927 the 12 acre nursery has been an East County icon and Ted considered one of the premier speakers on everything coming up roses. Do note however, this nursery is also stocked with a great selection of low water use perennials, natives of California and other Mediterranean regions, trees, tropical and deciduous fruit trees, just about everything the gardener or homeowner could ask for. Ask about the abundant supply of organic fertilizers, compost and worm castings keeping all locally grown plants happy and healthy. Announcement! Local expert, Ted Kniffing, has a weekly question and answer style garden program on am KPRZ/1210 from 7:30 – 8am every Saturday. So enjoy the birds and a cup of coffee and call in to 866.577.2473 before the gardening day begins. MR. G’S TREES 11935 Highway 67 Lakeside, CA 92040 619.561.0751 Hours of Operation: 9 – 4pm Mon., Wed., Fri. 9 – 5pm Sat. & 12:30 – 5pm Sun. Formerly Rancho Jojoba Nursery, this classically charming nursery is stocked with some pretty unusual low water use landscape plants and trees, flowering shrubs, perennials, natives and Australian plants. Surprisingly, the new owner, Rachele Melious, with dirt under her nails and a huge sun shading garden hat, was a bio chemist in another life. But upon understanding her knowledge and expertise, the connection is apparent. Rachele’s knowledge of hypo-allergenic plants and trees is truly impressive. If you are an avid gardener with a history of allergies or asthma you really have to visit Mr. G’s Trees. Fruit trees, flowering plants, and veggies fill the shelves so give the ‘little nursery that could’ your business. You will be happy you did. While visiting Mr. G’s check out the very neat and orderly woodworking factory and examples of some of the cutest garden sheds anywhere in the county, beautifully hand crafted and customized to each client. Russian born Igor Kustanove, of San Diego Custom Sheds, www.sandiegocustomsheds.com, is a superb craftsman with attention to detail to admire. PERENNIAL ADVENTURES NURSERY 10548 Anaheim Drive LaMesa 91941 619.660.9631 Hours of Operation: Thur., Fri.,Sat., 10 – 4pm Appointments available during the week If inspiration is required for a garden redo look no further. The home based nursery, in operation for 23 years, is surrounded by picture perfect, mature
DESERT PROTECTIVE COUNCIL ISSUES “SOLAR DONE RIGHT” GUIDELINES
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–The Desert Protective Council has established guidelines for solar energy installations. Policy makers and solar developers are encouraged to follow five principles for developing renewable energy to protect the environment from potential damage by massive solar farms. The DPC also suggests contacting Congressional officials to ask them to embrace the following “Solar Done Right” principles. Printer-friendly version
NEED HELP TO MEET DROUGHT RESTRICTIONS? WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN HAS ANSWERS
Printer-friendly versionJune 2, 2009 (El Cajon)–On June 1, the City of San Diego’s mandatory water restrictions go into effect. http://www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation/drought/droughtlevels2.shtml. By July 1, most other water districts in San Diego County will also be implementing restrictions. http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/droughtordinance_agencies.phtml. Fortunately, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has plenty of tools to help you deal with impending water restrictions. Printer-friendly version
CONTROLLED BURNS WED. & THURS. OVER EAST COUNTY’S RURAL AREAS
Printer-friendly versionJune 2, 2009 (Boulevard)–If you see smoke, don’t panic! CAL-FIRE has announced plans for a 100-acre controlled burn east of Boulevard near McCain Valley on Wednesday and Thursday, June 3 and 4, East County Magazine has learned. Smoke will be visible over most of East County, said CAL-FIRE Captain Nick Schuler. The controlled burns are part of CAL-FIRE’s program to reduce dense vegetation and reduce the risk of a catastrophic firestorm. If you would like to receive e-mail alerts of actual major wildfires as well as advance notice of large controlled burns, click the “Subscribe” button at the top of our homepage. It’s free — all we need is your name and e-mail address! Be sure to let your friends know about our free wildfire alerts, too, now that fire season has officially begun. Our alerts reach you even if your phone lines or cell phone towers burn down, as long as you have electrical power, making our alerts effective even when reverse 9-1-1 calls can’t get through. Printer-friendly version
FUN RUN/WALK JUNE 7 TO BENEFIT HOWIE HAWVER, GROSSMONT COACH WITH LOU GEHRIG’S DISEASE
Printer-friendly versionThe Grossmont College Athletics Dept. will present “Le Tour de Grossmont College,” a fund-raising fun walk/run, starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, June 7, at the college. Registration begins at 6:30 a.m. at the Main Quad area on campus. The event will raise money for medical expenses for Grossmont College women’s soccer coach Howie Hawver, who is currently battling ALS, or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. The 2.2-mile walk/run route will follow the perimeter road surrounding the college campus. Refreshments, live music and prize opportunities are scheduled. Parking will be free. For event information, phone (619) 644-7412, or visit http://www.HowieHawver.blogspot.com. Participation fee is a minimum donation of $30 per person, which will include a commemorative t-shirt. Checks can be made payable to Grossmont College Foundation, and mailed to 8800 Grossmont College Dr., El Cajon, CA, 92020. Hawver is the only head coach the Grossmont women’s program has ever had. In the past 14 seasons, his teams have made 12 state playoff appearances. Hawver also has coached at Patrick Henry High School and with the Crusaders Soccer Club. Grossmont College is located at 8800 Grossmont College Dr., in El Cajon. For driving directions and a campus map, visit www.grossmont.edu. Printer-friendly version