PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: JULY IN EAST COUNTY
Printer-friendly versionDear Readers – Please send your favoritie photos taken in East County or San Diego’s Eastern Regions to editor@eastcountymagazine.org for consideration in our "best photos" section. Here are a few of our favorite pics for July: La Mesa Democratic Club leaders pose in front of "The Swamp" refreshment stand during a "M*A*S*H Bash held in honor of a visit from Mike Farrell, star of the popular TV show. La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England receives a special proclamation from Assemblyman Hollingsworth’s representative during a "Mary’s Turning 40 Again!" celebration at the Riveria Supper Club. Lake Murray Fireworks & Music Fest went off with a bang on July 4th thanks to fundraising efforts by Navajo Events and dedicated community members. Printer-friendly version
GOVERNOR USES LINE-ITEM VETO POWER TO SLASH FUNDS: DISABLED, CHILDREN’S HEALTH, SENIORS & HIV/AIDS PATIENTS HARDEST HIT; 100 STATE PARKS MAY CLOSE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery July 30, 2009 (Sacramento)—Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently told the New York Times that he felt “perfectly fine” and said that no matter what happens with California’s budget crisis, he would still " sit down in my Jacuzzi tonight” and “lay back with a stogie.” Now the Governor has wielded his veto power to terminate or drastically reduce funds for programs that help the most vulnerable Californians–including sick children, the disabled, AIDs patients, the poor, and others in need. His actions have triggered a massive backlash of protest reaching from San Diego to the State Capitol, including a potential legislative effort to override the Governor’s vetoes. San Diego County health care providers are “outraged and devastated” by $384 million in vetoes from state health and welfare programs, the San Diego Union Tribune reported yesterday (http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jul/29/n11275819399/?metro&zIndex=140610). “They’re eroding the safety net in San Diego County and leaving the most vulnerable populations without healthcare,” Robert L. Feinberg, said head of San Diego Family Care, which runs local community clinics where at some locations, the number of uninsured patients has risen 50%. Courage Campaign, an online activist organization, has launched a You-Tube video titled “Up in Smoke” at http://www.couragecampaign.org/page/s/UpInSmoke. The video shows the cigar-smoking Governor lolling in a Jacuzzi amid an economic crisis with “bailed-out banks making money on state-issued IOUs they refuse to cash.” The ad accuses Schwarzenegger of wanting to “balance the budget on the backs of those most vulnerable, slashing education for kids, cutting healthcare for the sick, laying off nurses and firefighters.” It urges citizens to not let California go up in smoke and publishes a phone number for people to call Governor Schwarzenegger. “We question whether the majority of these cuts are legal,” Senate President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg told the media, vowing to fight vetoes in health and human services programs. But Senate minority leader Dennis Hollingsworth (R-Murrieta), whose district includes East County, supported the Governor’s action. http://www.sacbee.com/740/story/2054686.html The Legislature presented the Governor with a budget that already made deep cuts in many of these programs and more. Schwarzenegger used line-item vetoes to make deeper cuts with a goal of creating a $500 million reserve and closing a funding gap left when the Legislature removed off-shore oil drilling and a raid on County funds from the budget. The Governor vetoed $124 million from Child Welfare Services including funds for social workers caring for abused and neglected children, the California State Association of Counties reports. Other veto items include $120 million from Medi-Cal, $37.5 million from in-home supportive services for the medically frail, $52.1 million from AIDS/HIV programs (threatening federal matching funds as well), and $50 million more in cuts from the Healthy Families Program—which already imposed a waiting list for sick children from poor families to receive care after the Legislature’s deep budget cuts. “No talk of preserving a safety net for the neediest here,” the Sacramento Bee reported in its July 29 Capitol Report. “Children’s and healthcare advocates estimated that nearly a million kids will be denied coverage,” the newspaper stated. The Governor also hacked funds for domestic violence victims, the developmentally disabled, the Black Infant health program, Adolescent Family Life programs, Primary and Rural Health Program, and various aging and community based services programs including those providing food to seniors, caregiver respite care and Alzheimer’s Day Care resources. The cigar-smoking Governor also cut funds for a an anti-tobacco media campaign. The veto cuts include $6 million more from state parks, meaning 100 parks will likely be closed, according to a report published last night at www.calitics.com. If you wish to contact your state Senator and Assembly member to voice your views on the budget cuts and whether they should vote to override the Governor’s vetoes, you can find their phone and e-mail contact information in our Sound Off section. Printer-friendly version
MEG WHITMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR AND EX-EBAY CEO, TO SPEAK AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE AUG. 5
Printer-friendly version August 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – The East County Chamber of Commerce and Cuyamaca College invite the public to meet Meg Whitman, Republican candidate for Governor. Whitman, former CEO of E-Bay, will speak at the Cuyamaca College Student Center from 1 to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, August 5th. This event is free to the public. Whitman, a Republican, has said that her number one goal as Governor would be to “help the private sector create 2 million jobs for Californians by 2015.” As President and CEO of eBay she helped the company grow from 30 employees to more than 15,000. According to her website (www.megwhtiman.com), her plan to create jobs in our state would include: – Streamlining the permitting and approval processes to make it easier for businesses to expand or locate in California – Eliminating inefficient/unnecessary regulations that increase business costs, decrease competitiveness and threaten California jobs – Lowering taxes to give businesses the incentive to invest, innovate, hire more workers and prosper Whitman also calls for “excellence in education.” Her website does not address, however, how she might tackle other serious issues such as budget cuts in healthcare and other programs that have hurt the state’s most vulnerable populations, nor how she might resolve the healthcare crisis in California. For more information or questions on this event, contact http://www.eastcountychamber.org/. Printer-friendly version
COUNTY REPORTS FOUR MORE DEATHS FROM H1N1 (SWINE) FLU; SUMMER FLU HERE “VERY UNUSUAL”
Printer-friendly version July 30, 2009 (San Diego) – Four women, all with underlying health conditions, have died from the panedemic H1N1 influenza virus (formerly called swine flu), the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency reported yesterday. To date, San Diego County has had 735 confirmed cases, including 12 deaths. The women ranged from 30 to 53 in age, including one who was visiting San Diego from out of state and will not be included in local statistics. “It’s very unusual to have flu here in mid-summer. The normal flu season is generally over by May,” Tom Christensen, media and public relations specialist for San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency told East County Magazine. Fortunately, he confirmed that no individuals locally have been identified with the drug-resistant strain of H1N1 which has surfaced in a few cases in Europe. “It appears that the virulence of the strain is similar to the regular, season flu, but we continue to gather data to assess this,” Christensen concluded. Spokesperson Holly Crawford said the cases diagnosed locally are only the "tip of the iceberg" because most patients with the illness don’t visit a physician or get tested. "It’s a pandemic, so it’s throughout the county," she noted. The public is encouraged to stay home from work or school if they have influenza-like illness or symptoms similar to the seasonal flu which includes fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. If a person with underlying medical conditions is experiencing influenza-like illness or symptoms, they should contact their primary care physician in a timely manner. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met today to make recommendations for use of vaccine against novel influenza A (H1N1). The committee met to develop recommendations on who should receive vaccine against novel influenza A (H1N1) when it becomes available, and to determine which groups of the population should be prioritized if the vaccine is initially available in extremely limited quantities. The committee recommended the vaccination efforts focus on five key populations. Vaccination efforts are designed to help reduce the impact and spread of novel H1N1. The key populations include those who are at higher risk of disease or complications, those who are likely to come in contact with novel H1N1, and those who could infect young infants. When vaccine is first available, the committee recommended that programs and providers try to vaccinate: * pregnant women, * people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, * health care and emergency services personnel, * persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years of age, and * people from ages 25 through 64 years who are at higher risk for novel H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. The groups listed above total approximately 159 million people in the United States. For more information on panedemic H1N1 influenza, visit www.sdcounty.ca.gov or www.cdc.gov or call 2-1-1 San Diego. Printer-friendly version
EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER FROM A SPECIAL OLYMPICS ATHLETE : PLEASE DON’T TERMINATE PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED!
Printer-friendly version Editor’s note: Governor Schwarzenegger and the Legislature just slashed hundreds of millions from programs helping disabled people with medical care, finding jobs, and Special Olympics. An effort to override the Governor’s line-item vetoes is underway. Details at http://www.sacbee.com/740/story/2054686.html. To contact your Assemblymember and State Senator before this crucial vote, visit our Sound Off section. Dear Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–I have been a Special Olympics’ athlete for more than twenty years. Now I learned that you are cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from programs that serve disabled persons and communities. Please do not do this. I have seen you many times at Special Olympics’ events. From the things you said I thought I you understood how important our athletic program is. I like you and I watch your movies. But I can’t believe you would do this to us. My friends and I work hard at difficult jobs and some things are much harder for us to do. Playing sports is more than recreation. I have heard you many times talk about how good and beneficial programs like Special Olympic are. So why would you say that aid to persons with disabilities was ". . . on the Chopping block." I have my own apartment now and a good job working at Miramar. Will I have to go back to a group home? Are you going to take away our team? If you do – please do not come to our next tournament. Your invitation is terminated. Chris DiMascio Sports for Exceptional Athletes San Diego Softball, Floor Hockey, Soccer and Basketball Printer-friendly version
EAST COUNTY RESIDENT ORGANIZES DRIVE TO SEND CARE PACKAGES TO AMERICAN SOLDIERS SERVING IN COMBAT ZONES
Printer-friendly version By Marisa Kezirian July 26, 2009 —East County resident Roberta Mattice has begun a heartfelt program to provide care packages for American troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Postal Service, and the American Legion Women’s Auxiliary as part of Operation America Supports You. Care packages contain basic necessities to which our soldiers often don’t have access. Many soldiers have no families or any kind of support, so the care packages are usually the only mail they receive, said Mattice. In an interview with East County Magazine, she shared her experiences and the tremendous effect this rewarding process has had on her life. “Believe it or not, it fills my heart,” stated Mattice. “I am so proud and honored that so many people are willing to help us in so many ways. It’s been six years,” she said, adding that she frequently hears from the men and women who receive the care boxes. “They thank us for remembering them and remembering that they have been altered from their everyday lives to serve our country, and us,” she said. “I am humbled by the experience.” Through the efforts of different organizations, even Girl Scouts sending cookies to the troops, Mattice found out about the need for sending care packages to soldiers. “I eventually heard about people with family members serving and how they were sending care packages to them and their units…From word of mouth, I eventually found a source for contacts in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Mattice. “I’ve been wanting to communicate with troops since the beginning of the war, six years ago, to send both cards and letters of support. I grew up in a military family, and know the importance of these men and women who are away from their families and friends. When I was a child, my father would bring home soldiers from the local Army base to spend holiday dinners with our family.” Also involved in the effort is Mattice’s sister, Linda Millimaki. The two began by gaining support from friends, co-workers, and family members, and now their support system has truly blossomed. So far, three mailings have been sent overseas. The first mailing was sent in December 2008, a Christmas theme, followed by an Easter theme, and a 4th of July theme mailing. “Even some of our business contacts have joined the movement,” said Mattice. “Our last mailing was 75 boxes, versus the 35 we started with last December. We now have gained support by word of mouth and from total strangers. Also, as a member of the American Legion’s Women’s Auxiliary, I have garnered the support of several of the San Diego County’s units. And, in fact, the company I work for, America’s Vacation Center, was generous enough to cover the postage of our very first mailing.” When talking with Mattice, East County Magazine inquired: Have you received any thank you cards or stories from any soldiers or families that you have helped thus far? “Yes, we have,” said Mattice. “One of the addresses that we sent boxes to was a soldier whose family lives in Temecula. Linda is now a pen pal with him. I have a pen pal as well, and he has actually called my house twice, but I wasn’t home either time! His last message was to tell me he thought he was coming stateside. One of my American Legion friends wrote several cards for me to put in the boxes and a soldier tracked her down on the website and sent her a thank you email. Recently, one of the Army chaplains, whose name we got from a local church, sent myself and my two sisters, Linda Millimaki and Darles Wilde, a coin from their company. He explained to us that the coin was given as a Medal. It is quite an honor!” For more information on helping this effort by donating items or sending cash contributions please contact: sistersandfriends@yahoo.com. Marisa Kezirian is a student at San Diego State University and an intern with East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version
REWARDS OFFERED FOR GUN TAKEN FROM SLAIN BORDER PATROL AGENT & FOR INFO LEADING TO CONVICTION OF KILLER(S)
Printer-friendly version FUNDRAISER PLANNED FRIDAY IN SAN DIEGO TO HELP ROSAS' FAMILY July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Robert Rosas, who was murdered near Shockey Truck Trail in Campo on Thursday, July 23, 2009. In addition, a $10,000 reward has been added for information leading to recover of a black .40 caliber service pistol (Heckler & Koch P2000) believed stolen from Rosas the night he was murdered. Rosas and other agents were tracking a group of people believed to have crossed the border illegally. Other agents lost radio contact with him and became concerned for his safety. Shots were reported by members of a Minutemen group near the border. Agents conducted a search and found Rosas’ body at approximately 9:15 p.m. He had been shot several times in the head, neck and torso. The FBI asks anyone with information concerning the death of U.S. Border Patrol Agent Rosas to contact the FBI at telephone number (858) 565-1255. If requested you may remain anonymous. The FBI is conducting this investigation jointly with the U.S. Border Patrol, the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of one of our own,” Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano has said. “I have directed that the full resources of the department assist in the investigation to find and bring to justice those responsible…His death is a vivid reminder that we are engaged in a serious effort. Border Patrol agents and other DHS employees risk their lives every single day to protect and defend our nation.” The FBI has not announced arrests in connection with the crime. However, Mexican authorities indicate they have arrested an alleged gunman identified as Ernesto Parra Valanzuela, along with members of an alleged smuggling ring. Others arrested reportedly include Jose Eugenio Quintero Ruiz, 49, who is wanted for suspicion or murder and rape in the U.S., his brother, Jose Quintero Ruiz, 43, as well as Jose Alfredo Camacho, 34 and Antonio Valladares, 57. A sixth possible suspect was taken into custody Friday when a signal from the murdered agent’s cell phone led the to a hospital in northern California, Channel 6 news reported. Rosas, 30, a resident of El Centro, was married and leaves behind an infant daughter and a toddler son. toddler son. A photo tribute to Rosas is online at http://officerrobertrosas.chipin.com/officer-robert-rosas-family. Rosas was the first Border Patrol slain in the line of duty since 1998. His death has led to renewed calls by some for completion of the border wqll to tighten security, since Rosas was killed in an area with gaps in the fencing and since border violence has escalated in recent months along with escalating drug-cartel battles in Mexico. Carl Braun, San Diego Examiner.com, wrote, "This tragedy underscores the need for a better fence and tighter control over the United States Border with Mexico… The area where the agent was killed is still only protected by the decades old ten-foot fence that smugglers and illegal immigrants have been scaling or crawling under since it was installed." Not everyone agrees with that solution. "The drug violence is due to drug demand," Enrique Morones, founder of Border Angels, an immigrant rights group, told East county Magazine. "The U.S. has 5% of the world population yet consumes about 50% of the world's illegal drugs. Stop the demand, and the drug trade will drop dramatically," he said, adding that the "wall has nothing to do with it." John Fanestil, a leader in the Friends of Friendship Park Coalition, had this to say. "I condemn violence against Border Patrol agents and law enforcement personnel," Fanestil told East County Magazine, adding that his organization is committed to working to make the border safe for all who live and work along it. He added in his e-mailed statement, "It’s important for people to know that violence from Tijuana is not “spilling over our borders” – this not my assessment, but that of Chula Vista Police Chief Rick Emerson – see: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jul/16/county-and-chula-vista-get-funds-fight-crime-tied-/. It’s also important for people to understand that the violence like that which took Agent Rosas’ life is the result of our government’s crackdown on drug cartels – this not my assessment, but that of former DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff – see: http://www.dhs.gov/xnews/speeches/sp_1202219631845.shtm Fanestil condemned "failed immigration policies" and called for "expansion and rationalization" of proceses for legal immigration for Mexicans seeking work in the United States, which he believes would reduce incentives for people to immigrate illegally. "We would then be able to co concentrate our law enforcement resources on the bad guys who operate along the border," he said, adding, "More border wall will not result in reduced levels of violence along the border." The FBI has posted a billboard in East County displaying photos of 12 men wanted in the U.S., including two arrested in connection with Rosas’ murder. Printer-friendly version
JOHN DEAN SPEAKS IN EAST COUNTY ON BUSH ADMINISTRATION USE OF TORTURE
Printer-friendly version FORMER NIXON WHITE HOUSE LAWYER & AUTHOR TO SIGN BOOKS, OFFERS NEW REVELATIONS ON WATERGATE By Miriam Raftery July 29, 2009 (La Mesa)–John W. Dean, former White House Counsel to President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973 and the key government witness in the Watergate prosecution, will speak in La Mesa on Wednesday, August 5th. The author, columnist and political commentator will speak on the Bush administration’s use of torture and will also sign copies of his books, including Worse Than Watergate, Conseratives Without a Conscience, and Blind Ambition: The End of the Story, a just-released update edition with startling new revelations on Watergate. This free talk will be presented at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa with a social time beginning at 6:30 PM and the program beginning at 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 5. A a question and answer session will be followed by a book sale and signing that will end by 9:00 PM. Polimedia Publishing reissued John Dean’s definitive insider account of the Watergate scandal, Blind Ambition: The End of the Story, on July 21st, 2009. Dean appends his original bestseller, out of print for two decades, with a powerful new AFTERWORD, providing new revelations and details that answer the most persistent questions lingering since the original investigation. "Readers will be astonished with the brutal honesty of Dean’s disclosures, which finally close the case on Watergate," a press release on the event states. "He explains with insightful clarity why (and how) a bungled, conspicuously amateurish burglary at the Democratic National Committee unraveled a presidency, forcing Richard Nixon from office. Dean provides definitive answers to outstanding historical questions, and alerts us to the growing efforts by Nixon revisionists to reinvent this tragic chapter of American history by rewriting it." Be one of the first people to get a copy at this event. In 2004, Dean published Worse than Watergate, a critical analysis of the George W. Bush administration, calling attention to the extreme secrecy of that administration, and its consequences, long before the mainstream news media recognized and acknowledged the problems. Worse than Watergate spent 10 weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers list. Dean’s 2006 book, Conservatives without Conscience, examines contemporary American conservatism to show how traditional conservatism has been replaced by a dangerous authoritarianism. This work spent six weeks on the New York Times Best Sellers List. Dean’s most recent New York Times best-seller is Broken Government: How Republican Rule Destroyed the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches, which explores how Republican rule and control of government has altered established processes and procedures in a negative manner that has affected all Americans. Dean was born in Akron, Ohio. He earned his law degree from Georgetown University. In 2000, Dean retired to become a successful author, lecturer, and columnist. Dean, who lectures throughout the world, writes his bi-weekly column for FindLaw.com. He lives in Los Angeles and is working on his tenth book. For background on this lecture, you may wish to read the article from June 12, 2009 by John W. Dean titled Expert Advice On Dealing With A Prior Administration’s Use of Torture at FindLaw.com. This event is jointly sponsored by the La Mesa-Foothills Democratic Club and the Eastlake-Bonita Democratic Club as a community service. People of all parties are welcome to attend. For more information go to www.lamesafoothillsdemocraticclub.org or call 619-741-1994. Printer-friendly version
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT–KROC CENTER AUG. 4
Printer-friendly version July 29, 2009 (San Diego)–Join Crime Stoppers, Target and the Salvation Army Kroc Center for the free National Night Out Against Crime. Meet your neighbors and enjoy giveaways, games, face painting, live entertainment, police K-9s, rockclimbing, balloon animals, community booths and more. This free community event will be held on Tuesday Aug. 4 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Kroc Center recreation field, 6845 University Ave., San Diego. For more information, call 619-287-5762 or visit www.kroccenter.org. Printer-friendly version
DIVINE BOVINE: THE COW, THEN & NOW
Printer-friendly version ART SHOW AUG 18-30, ARTIST RECEPTION AUG. 22IN LA MESA July 29, 2009 (La Mesa) – Holy cow—a unique art show is coming to La Mesa! O’Dunn Fine Art has acquired some “udderly” delightful images of the cow by Danish impressionist Gunnar Bundgaard (view a complete 20th Century collection at www.odunnfineart.com.) Providing delicious contrast are post-modern renderings of the divine bovine by Lionel Talaro, on view in the gallery August 18-30. “Who knew that cows are hot? We did,” says gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn, who offers this advice. “Paintings are subject to prior sale…..don’t beef at us if they’re spoken for!” Guests are invited to savor refreshments and meet Talaro at a reception on Saturday August 22, from 6 to 8 pm. Talaro, having created many stimulating figurative and fantasy images over the past 15 years, forges ahead with a passion for painting cows. “The character and playfulness of cows never get the attention they deserve,” notes the artist. “Their expressions say so much, and they truly are beautiful.” Educated at the Art Center in Pasadena and the Art Institute in Calabasas, Lionel began his career as an illustrator in 1992 in the motion picture and comic book industries. The appeal for Talaro’s work has been recognized via numerous awards and an extensive commercial and private client list. Please RSVP for the reception on August 22 at shannon@odunnfineart.com. Printer-friendly version