GROSSMONT COLLEGE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT NAMED TO CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES’ BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Printer-friendly version Student leader tasked with keeping state board attuned August 1 2009 (El Cajon) – Marc Valenzuela, Grossmont College’s new student body president, has a busy year ahead–including his latest appointment as a student liaison to the California Community Colleges’ Board of Governors. Valenzuela, who also represents the nine community colleges in San Diego and Imperial counties on the Student Senate of California Community Colleges, has been selected as one of two Student Senate representatives to attend the monthly BOG meetings in Sacramento. Appointing him was SSCCC President Reid Milburn, who will join Valenzuela at the meetings to provide Student Senate updates and testimony on behalf of California’s 2.6 million community college students. The Student Senate was formed in the mid-‘90s to ensure students have a role in the consultation process used by California community colleges. “We are delighted that a Grossmont College student will have the opportunity to be working so closely with the Board of Governors,” said Chancellor Cindy L. Miles. “The students at community colleges will be well served with Marc Valenzuela as their representative.” A native of El Centro and a 2008 graduate of Southwest High School, Valenzuela has attended Grossmont College since fall 2008. During the past two summers, Valenzuela has worked in San Diego as an assistant stage manager at the Starlight Theatre in Balboa Park. After graduating from Grossmont College, he plans to transfer to a four-year university and major in public relations. The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the world with 110 colleges and 72 districts. The Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District serves the East County region of San Diego County and beyond to the Imperial County and Mexican borders. The two community colleges comprising the district, Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, serve more than 28,000 students per semester. Printer-friendly version
BURNING ISSUE: ECM EDITOR SPEAKS ON SDG&E SHUT-OFF PROPOSAL IN TV, RADIO SHOWS
Printer-friendly version July 31, 2009 (San Diego) – Hosts of two radio programs and a TV show today interviewed East County Magazine editor Miriam Raftery on some of the hottest topics in town– including a fiery East County issue: SDG&E’s proposal to shut-off power during fire-prone weather. Audio, video and transcripts from KPBS and KCBQ are available below. (cartoon reprinted with permission from of Voice of San Diego) Raftery led a sizzling discussion on the controversial shut-off plan for Editor’s Roundtable on KPBS this morning. She was also a guest on KPBS TV’s San Diego Week show. Other topics on KPBS included an upturn in the housing market and "trash talk" about garbage collection fees in San Diego. ECM’s editor was a also a guest for nearly an hour on KCBQ radio’s Rick Amato show last night, guest-hosted by Gayle Falkenthal. Hot topics on KCBQ ranged from wildfire issues to the state budget. in addition, listeners heard previews of some exciting coming attractions to be hosted by East County Magazine. Listen to audio and read a transcript of KPBS Editors’ Roundtable: Radio: http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jul/31/sdges-controversial-power-shut-plan / Watch San Diego Week on KPBS TV, or read a transcript: TV: http://www.kpbs.org/videos/2009/jul/31/4493/#video Listen to “What’s Happening in East County?” segment on the KCBQ Rick Amato Show, guest hosted by Gayle Falkenthal: http://www.amatotalk.com/podcasts/AMATO-07-30-09-HR1.mp3 Printer-friendly version
VIEJAS CASINO NAMED “BEST CASINO” 10 YEARS IN A ROW; ALSO TAKES TOP HONORS FOR DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
Printer-friendly version August 1, 2009 (San Diego) – Viejas Casino (http://www.viejas.com) has been named the “Best Casino” for the tenth year in a row. Viejas also picked up awards for “Best Casino Dining,” “Best Live Music Venue” (for Concerts-in-the-Park), “Best Steakhouse” (for The Grove Steakhouse), “Best Dance Club/Entertainment” (for the DreamCatcher Lounge). The highly-coveted honors were announced today as part of the 2009 Best of San Diego Reader’s Poll. “Being recognized by our guests as San Diego’s best in five categories is a great honor,” said Viejas Tribal Chairman Bobby L. Barrett. “And being voted San Diego’s Best Casino ten years in a row is truly an accomplishment. This ultimately reflects the hard work and dedication of our team members, who continually strive to improve the experience for our guests, providing them with the best destination in all of Southern California for entertainment, food and fun year after year.” The architectural design of Viejas Casino acknowledges its Native American origins and takes inspiration from Kumeyaay culture. The interior features thousands of slot machines; over 80 table games such as $1 and $2 Blackjack, no-commission EZ Baccarat and Pai Gow; a Poker Room; an off-track betting facility; bingo hall; and six restaurants including the delicious Harvest Buffet. Viejas comes alive with live entertainment at three concert venues: the V Lounge, DreamCatcher and Concerts in the Park, featuring local, regional and national acts. Readers of the San Diego Union-Tribune’s newspaper and web site voted for the best that San Diego County has to offer in 78 separate categories. “We are very grateful to our guests, team members and the Viejas tribal community for providing such a diverse entertainment product offering,” said CEO Lyn Baxter. “Whether you want to spend a relaxing day shopping with the family or a fun night out with friends, Viejas has it all in one location that’s an easy drive from anywhere in Southern California. We are always looking for ways to make our guests’ experience better. Being chosen as San Diego’s “Best Casino” for ten years in a row is a tremendous compliment.” Viejas Casino is located directly off I-8 on Willows Road, just 35 miles east of San Diego. For more information, visit www.viejas.com or call 1-800-847-6537. Located directly across from Viejas Casino, Viejas Outlet Center features 255,000 square feet of shopping space and is home to more than 60 brand name stores and eateries. For more information on Viejas Outlet Center, visit www.viejasoutletcenter.com or call 619-659-2070. Printer-friendly version
A ROARING WILD NIGHT AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS
Printer-friendly version Story and photos by Joel Ryerson July 31, 2009 (Alpine)–"Look how close you are!" exclaimed Lynn Hopewell, a guest of the overnight event at Lions, Tigers, and Bears in Alpine. "When I was up in Las Vegas I saw the cats at the MGM Grand, but this is a totally different experience," added Hopewell, who was amazed at how close you could get to the big cats. The occasion was a campout last weekend to help raise funds for exotic animals at East County’s big-cat rescue facility. About thirty five guests attended the event, which included a rustic barbecue dinner prepared by the crew. Guests brought their own tents and set them up in a grassy area right next to the Big Cat enclosures. Guests were free to roam around the area and check out the variety of wild cats in the enclosures, which included tigers, lions, bobcats, mountain lions, leopards, and more. The organization’s mission is to provide a safe place for rescued big cats and raise awareness to the public about the abandonment and neglect of exotic animals. Bobbi Brink, the founder of Lions, Tigers, and Bears, spoke about the oppression and dangers her wild cats faced before they were rescued. Raja and Natasha are two of the tigers that were rescued by Brink. They were pets in Texas before they were rescued. For five years, the two tigers shared a six-foot by 12-foot cage with no shelter and no shade in the hot Texas sun. Brink also spoke about the dangers of exotic animal trading, which she mentioned is second to drugs and weapons in the United States. "Many people breed these cats for their coats, bones, and body parts," she said. Brink seems determined to do anything she can to help eliminate this unpleasant business.She devotes her entire day to taking care of all the animals she has rescued. Among the many things guests get to experience is feeding time. Feeding the cats is no simple task for Brink and her crew. Once hunger sets in and the cats realize its feeding time, their instincts take over and anything can happen. The crew, being extra careful, bravely finishes the task at hand. The cats are, after all, wild and can never be domesticated. That doesn’t stop Brink and her devoted volunteers from caring for these animals each and everyday. Upcoming attractions planned include a bird exhibit and a mountain Lion conservation station that Brink hopes will raise more awareness about the local animals that inhabit east county and the surrounding areas. Lions, Tigers, and Bears is truly a one of a kind experience for guests of all ages. For more information or to make a donation to Lions, Tigers, and Bears, visit http://www.lionstigersandbears.org. Joel Ryerson is a communications major at San Diego State University and an intern with East County Magazine. Printer-friendly version