VIEJAS OUTLET CENTER ANNOUNCES “TUESDAYS IN THE PARK” FREE MOVIES N THE PARK–ALPINE’S FIRST FARMERS’ MARKET
Printer-friendly versionJune 10, 2009 (Alpine) — Viejas Outlet Center will host “Tuesdays in the Park” featuring the 2009 Movies in the Park Season with free, family-friendly movies starting June 16. In addition, the center will host “Market in the Park”, Alpine’s first farmers’ market, beginning June 23. Both events are free to the public. Every Tuesday through August 11, the Viejas Outlet Center will feature free Movies in the Park. Guests are encouraged to arrive early for dinner or shopping before the show, then sit back and relax with family to enjoy a popular movie under the stars. Movies will begin at sundown each week. In addition, each Tuesday from June 23 through August 25 the Market in the Park will feature fresh produce, plants and specialty items from local vendors from 3:30-7:30p.m. Movie schedule is as follows: June 16 – Kung Fu Panda June 23 – Indian Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull June 30 – The Tale of Despereaux July 7 – IGOR July 14 – Madagascar 2 Escape Africa July 21 – Hotel for Dogs July 28 – Surf’s Up August 4 – The Ant Bully August 11 – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone The Farmers Market and movies are free and open to the public. Blankets are allowed, but no alcohol or pets permitted. Located at 5005 Willows Road in Alpine, Viejas Outlet Center features 255,000 square feet of shopping space featuring national brands including Coach, Polo Ralph Lauren, GAP, Guess and Nike. For more information on Viejas Outlet Center, visit www.shopviejas.com or call 619-659-2070. Printer-friendly version
DARING MEN AND WOMEN IN THEIR FLYING MACHINES: WINGS OVER GILLESPIE DAZZLES CROWD
Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery June 10, 2009 (El Cajon) – A daredevil performance by famed stunt pilot Martin Kennedy thrilled spectators at Wings Over Gillespie, a three-day air show held June 5-7. Kennedy maneuvered a Staudacher S600, considered one of the world’s top aerobatic planes, through a series of tumbles, spins and heart-stopping freefalls that seemingly defied the laws of gravity. Kennedy, a geochemistry professor at the University of California, Riverside, also demonstrated moves he invented including the “barber pole” and the “boomerang.” To view his performance at Gillespie, watch our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muHVSYEqlHQ For more of Kennedy’s performances, visit his website: http://www.kennedyairshow.com/ “We had close to 22,000 people over the entire weekend,” said air show chairman Bob Simon, wing leader of Air Group One, the San Diego division of Commemorative Air Force (CAF), sponsor of the show. “In the past, we’ve had 15,000 to 17,000 people,” said CAF is a national organization founded after World War II to preserve vintage aircraft. “They bought a couple of Bearcats and expanded from there,” said Simon. Today, 69 wing groups around the nation maintain about 159 airplanes. In San Diego, Air Group one has over 100 members. Other air show highlights included recreations of famous World War II and Viet Nam air battles with pyrotechnic displays. In commemoration of D-Day, eleven planes complete with parachutists recreated the famous invasion battle to the delight of onlookers in El Cajon on Saturday, June 6th. Visitors also had the opportunity to view displays of vintage aircraft and chat with pilots, including members of San Diego 99, a local chapter of the International Organization of Women Pilots, which dates back to Amelia Earthart. Guests also observed firefighting aircraft make an aerial water drop – and got an unexpected up-close look at a fire engine in action after a pyrotechnic display ignited a brush fire on the infield. For the future, Simon predicted, ““Next year, consider the response that we got, I think it will be bigger and better.” For more information on the air show, including photos and additional videos, visit: http://www.wingsovergillespie.org/. Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: LET SCHOOLS SELL OLD BOOKS TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Printer-friendly versionBy Assemblymembers Joel Anderson and Julia Brownley June 9, 2009 (Sacramento)–Our local libraries often hold book sales to generate funds for new books, or other needed materials or supplies. It makes sense: Sell old or out of date resources and use those funds to purchase new items. A no-brainer. Many school districts in California have stacks of unneeded, old and obsolete instructional materials in warehouses which if resold could generate new funds for our schools. In these tough times of shrinking school budgets that threaten to hurt our children’s education, why don’t we let schools gather up surplus or out of date books and other instructional materials and sell them? Unfortunately, state law has many restrictions on re-selling materials, making it almost impossible for schools to generate additional revenue from these sales. Under current law, obsolete or surplus instructional materials may only be given to charitable organizations, or sold to an organization that agrees to use the materials solely for educational purposes. The law also requires that a school who receives instructional material certify that they will not make a charge to the end users of the instructional material. In order to deal with these restrictions, we have jointly authored Assembly Bill 487 to allow the sale of instructional materials, removing excessive restrictions and empowering local control. This bi-partisan, common sense legislation will establish the Surplus Instructional Materials Fund under the administration of the Superintendent of Public Instruction. The bill requires that the moneys in the Surplus fund be available for school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools to acquire supplemental instructional materials. While government revenues continue to drop, we need to make every option available for our schools to streamline operations and generate additional funds. There is no place for bureaucratic red tape at the expense of our children’s education. Assemblymember Julia Brownley, (D-Santa Monica) is the chair of the Assembly Committee on Education and the Author of AB 487; Assemblymember Joel Anderson (R-El Cajon) is the joint author of AB 487. Photo: Anderson and his daughter on the Assembly floor. Printer-friendly version
PEOPLE MAGAZINE AND MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL CHOOSE LA MESA DENTIST JEFF GRAY A FINALIST FOR “ALL STARS AMONG US”
Printer-friendly versionLa Mesa Dentist Jeff Gray has been chosen by PEOPLE Magazine and Major League Baseball as one of three finalists for the “All-Stars Among Us” campaign to represent the Padres at the All Star Game in July. To win, Gray has to receive your vote. To qualify, Gray has demonstrated a commitment to public service. He is the founder of “Smiles for Life,” an annual campaign supported by more than 800 participating dentists across North America. In Peoria, Arizona, to watch Padres spring practice about six years ago, Gray took the opportunity to meet Super Star Entertainer Garth Brooks. Subsequently Gray partnered Smiles for Life with Brooks’ Teammates for Kids. Together over the past decade more than $25 million has been distributed to children’s charities in the US, Canada and around the world. To vote, go to www.peopleallstars.com before voting ends June 24. Click on the Padres logo and Jeff’s picture. (Generously, Gray names his competitors for the honor: Eric Northbrook, whose foundation helps people who have suffered spinal cord injuries, and Richard Nares, whose foundation transports sick children to doctors appointments and weekly cancer treatments.) You can vote more than once, up to 25 times. Jeff Gray, DDS, is located at 8555 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa. For information, go to www.smilesandiego.com or call 619-337-7700. Printer-friendly version
CALIFORNIA-FRIENDLY® LANDSCAPES WIN BIG PRIZES
Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) – Winners of the sixth annual California-Friendly® Landscape Contest gathered to collect their prizes at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on May 16th. Twenty homeowners from across the county received honors for outstanding examples of beautiful, drought-tolerant landscapes. Photographs of the winning landscapes adorned a display in The Garden’s Plaza, and garden editor Mary James and garden author Nan Sterman co-MCed the presentations. Creative winners walked away with prizes ranging from $250 – $500. A tie in the Professionally Designed category saw Susan Hurwitz (San Dieguito Water District) and Cynthia Winters (Otay Water District) each receive $500, as did the regional best in Do-It-Yourself, Maggie Walton (Helix Water District), and Native Landscape, Fritz Brecke (Lakeside Water District). Each of the participating water agencies also chose a Best of District which were awarded $250 each: Santa Fe Irrigation District Paul and Ruth Parker City of Oceanside Mike Garrow Otay Water District James and Cynthia Ciolli Padre Dam Municipal Water District Rick and Rosi Crouch Rincon del Diablo Municipal Water District Ellen Pettit Ramona Municipal Water District Ron Parks City of Escondido John and Barbara Horst Olivenhain Municipal Water District Lorene Rice San Dieguito Water District Costa and Allison Haramis City of San Diego Katharina Krause Helix Water District Peggy Chambers Sweetwater authority Glenda DeVaney Lakeside Water District Frank and Cheryl Barraco Vallecitos Water District Gisela Gelbing City of Poway Patrick and Roberta Korch Vista Irrigation District Susi and Jose Torre-Bueno When asked why she decided to have a drought-tolerrant landscape, Peggy Chambers said, “It was to cut down on water use and expense. I wanted an easier to maintain landscape, and I was slowly drawn to the so-called ‘California-friendly’ shrubs and plants.” She discovered, however, there were other benefits. “I love watching the birds and butterflies flit around the shrubs. The colors and scents are intense, and I love being in the midst of it all.” Cynthia Winters came to be a California-Friendly gardener by an entirely different route. “About 5 years ago a friend introduced me to a few succulents. The plants were much easier to take care of than my flowers. Then 2 ½ years ago I met Karen Suggs who lives in Campo, and her entire yard is California Natives and succulents. The design and her unique approach to “reusing every cutting” were appealing to me. I purchased many books on how to garden this new way and became committed to moving in this direction.” On the other hand Susan Hurwitz made the decision in conjunction with her landscaper and her architecture. “We like the southwestern flora. It was recommended by our landscape designer and of course the water issue was considered. Our inspiration was from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The fact that our house is a flat-roofed Santa Fe style building was a consideration, and we worked closely with our designer to achieve a cohesive look.” The winning sites are superb examples of landscapes appropriate for San Diego and its increasingly dry climate. Water shortages and cutbacks will continue to be a fact of life in Southern California. The winners of the contest influence their neighbors and friends and serve as inspiration for other county residence. Photos of the Landscape Contest winners can be seen at the Water Conservation Garden, located on the grounds of Cuyamaca College and can be viewed at: www.landscapecontest.com. Printer-friendly version
EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SPARKS ARREST IN LEMON GROVE; GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CARRY TORCH TO RALLIES AT 4 EAST COUNTY CITY HALLS
Printer-friendly version June 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—A protester was arrested in Lemon Grove Saturday for assaulting San Diego Pride director Ron DeHarte during an equality relay for gay rights. (View a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91X_cD-tqk&feature=related). Overall, however, the relay through four East County cities was peaceful, organizer Eve Parker reported. “We had such a wonderful and supportive day in East County,” she added. Countywide, about 2,000 people turned out to commemorate the anniversary of the stonewall riots in New York, an event many view as the start of the gay rights movement. In East County, 23 torchbearers carried a torch to rallies at city halls in El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa and Lemon Grove. Parker, who spoke at all four rallies, urged people to unite and inspire change. The California Supreme Court ruling overturning Proposition 8 and banning new gay marriages “will not stand,” she predicted, comparing the gay rights movement to the struggle for women’s suffrage and abolition of slavery. “We are all human beings,” said Parker, who is heterosexual but believes in equality for all individuals. “Let us raise our flags, our torches, and our voices for marriage equality.” (View video of the El Cajon rally: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHzgoKs3ktM ) Nancy Jennings, a professor at Cuyamaca College, spoke at the El Cajon and Santee rallies. “I care about this because it matters,” said Jennings, who added that she has a gay family member. “If the majority can vote rights away from a minority, we should all be concerned.” Opposition to gay rights has been largely based on "misinformation and fear," she said, adding that one of her students mistakenly believed Prop 8 would allow boys to enter a girls' restroom. Gay marriage, which is now legal in six states, has been opposed by conservatives and some religious groups whose members believe a traditional marriage should be reserved for unions between men and women. But Jennings argued that the prohibition on gay marriage violates the 14th amendment to the Constitution which declares that no state shall make or abridge a law that denies rights or equal protections to citizens. Courts have previously invalidated a ban on marriages by prison inmates, she observed. “Any two people, even murderers and rapists, can marry—except for two gay people,” noted Jennings. The battle is about more than the word “marriage” she observed, noting that without full marriage rights, a gay or lesbian partner may be denied hospital visitation rights, the right to inherit property, or custody rights to children if a partner dies. One federal study identified 1,138 federal benefits to marriage, she said. Jennings likened prohibitions on gay rights to Jim Crow racial segregation laws. "Two hundred years ago, many believed that slavery was a good idea," she noted. "Ultimately, I hope people will look back on this time as a dark time in our nation's history." Romer de los Santos II, secretary of San Diego Pride, spoke at all four city halls in East County. “Our hope is that the equality torch will continue to burn in your hearts and inspire you to reach out to your neighbors,” he said. Other speakers included Lemon Grove Councilmember George Gastil, Chris Ward, chief of staff for Assemblyman Marty Block, and Elle Van Dermark, a historian. Marchers ended the event at the County Administration Building, where San Diego Councilman Todd Gloria spoke and twelve torches were united in a circle and lifted high, symbolizing participants’ hopes for future equality. Printer-friendly version
SWEET SUCCESS: GROVE PASTRY SHOP
Printer-friendly versionJune 7, 2009 (Lemon Grove)—“What is special about this place is that we make the most challenging cakes—cakes that nobody else around town will take,” said Luis Francisco Montero, baker at the Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove. Montero spoke with East County Magazine during an East County Chamber of Commerce reception earlier this week at the bakery, which celebrates its 54th year in business. Montero’s most challenging creations include a three-dimensional spaceship cake and a 500-piece saxophone case measuring approximately half the size of a door, which each key hand-made separately. “It takes ten years or more to learn how to bake,” Gene Gage explained, adding that it is becoming very difficult to find skilled bakers. He used to hire retired military bakers, but the military is no longer teaching those skills. “All our cakes are made by hand—our butter creams, our custards, everything,” Gage said. The bakery specializes in wedding cakes with delicious fillings and frostings. Other elaborate cakes on display during our visit included a cake shaped like a diapered baby, alphabet blocks, and an assortment of elaborate cakes for a variety of special occasions from graduations to birthdays. Additional specialty cakes range from mango mousse charlotte to strawberry succulence. As its name implies, the Grove Pastry Shop also makes an assortment of pastries as well as cookies and breads. Teresa’s breads, named after owner Teresa Johnson, feature varieties such as apple nut and blueberry. The breads are sold in Costco, Henry’s, Sprouts, Fraser Farms, Windmill Farms and other local stores. In addition, the shop also sells wholesale to local restaurants and hopes to soon begin taking orders online to keep up with demand that continues to grow, more than half a century after the shop first opened its doors in East County. To view a gallery of the shop’s creations or learn more, visit www.grovepastryshop.com. The shop is located at 3308 Main Street in Lemon Grove, telephone (619)466-3277. Printer-friendly version