100-ACRE FIRE AT PENDLETON; NO THREATS TO STRUCTURES AT THIS TIME
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2009 (Camp Pendleton) –If you’re driving north and see smoke, don’t panic. A slow moving brush fire in the Whiskey Impact Area is currently burning on Camp Pendleton. The brush fire started at approximately 1 p.m., Aug. 26 and has burned approximately 100 acres. The Whiskey Impact Area is located in the Northeastern portion of the Base. The fire poses no threat at this time, according to fire authorities at the base, and traffic on I-5 is not impacted. The Camp Pendleton Fire Dept. conducted back burn operations Thursday and has requested two San Diego Sheriff Dept. helicopters to assist in containing the fire. Printer-friendly version
VIEJAS ADDS A “STRIKING” NEW DEVELOPMENT
Printer-friendly version VIEJAS BOWL continues Viejas Outlet Center’s transformation into “lifestyle center” August 27, 2009 (Alpine) – Viejas announced plans today for a new, boutique bowling center, to be called Viejas Bowl, at the Viejas Outlet Center, across from the award winning Viejas Casino. The new development boasts 15,667 square feet of space and will include 12 United States Bowling Congress certified lanes, plus numerous flat screen TVs for sporting and other events. Other features will be announced at the opening of the center slated for late fall. Viejas Bowl will be located on the east end of the Viejas Outlet Center, across from the popular, new Fun Zone Arcade, providing an “entertainment zone” with an array of options for all ages. “We are excited about this new addition to the entertainment lineup here at Viejas,” said Tribal Chairman Bobby L. Barrett. “Viejas Bowl will be casual, but upscale and will provide a new, affordable entertainment option for families in the area. We’ll have comfortable couches and a fun lounge feel, which will fit into the Viejas theme and represents the next step in offering a diverse entertainment complex.” Viejas CEO Lyn Baxter said, “Viejas Bowl is our latest move toward creating a true “lifestyle center” at the Viejas Outlet Mall. This is the direction many traditional retail centers are going, especially as they explore new approaches in this challenging economy. Fortunately, Viejas Outlet Center’s transformation to a “lifestyle center” is already well underway, with the addition of a day spa, Movies in the Park, Farmers Market and the ice rink, which has been a huge hit. Viejas Bowl is the latest, and probably our most dramatic, move toward the “lifestyle center” approach. So far, our customers have definitely embraced it and we think Viejas Bowl fills a void in East County.” Viejas Bowl will be open seven days a week and will be available for children and adults of all ages. More information on hours and prices will be announced soon. Located directly off I-8 on Willows Road, just 35 miles east of San Diego in Alpine and across the street from Viejas Casion, Viejas Outlet Center features 255,000 square feet of shopping space and is home to national brand names stores, restaurants and, coming in fall 2009, Viejas Bowl. For more information on Viejas Outlet Center, visit www.shopviejas.com or call 619-659-2070. Printer-friendly version
GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version GARAMENDI OFFERS SOLUTIONS TO ATTAIN A SUSTAINABLE CALIFORNIA By Jackie Hanson August 26, 2009 (San Diego) – What would it take for California to become energy self-sustaining? As surfers caught waves just a few yards away, Lieutenant Governor John Garamendi spoke at the new Scripps Seaside Forum in La Jolla on August 5th, offering ideas to help fix California’s environment, economy, and educational system by linking research, production and sustainability. The event was organized by United Green, a division of the nonprofit Heartland Coalition, East County Magazine’s publisher. Garamendi, called for a “new revolution” that would: 1) change energy patterns with new technology and products, 2) create jobs; thousands, even millions of jobs, as all trades renew to come in line with new technology, and 3) generate wealth with long-term investing. “If we are not investing in education, we are throwing away our future.” stated Garamendi, a member of the U.C. Board of Regents. This new revolution calls for an educated workforce , not only to research, but to also produce what we invent, he added. We must be ready to upgrade our products to stay ahead of cheaper producers who inevitably undercut our ideas, he emphasized. The Lieutenant Governor also noted that by investing more in prisons than education, we guarantee that many drop-outs end up incarcerated because they lack gainful employment options. Among his other “new revolution” ideas: Rethink stimulus programs so that venture capitalists share some of the risk for start-ups in the new technology. Pull back out-sourced jobs. We need to bring innovation to our manufacturing sector so we have minds that can invent, produce and reinvent products. Make changes in our tax and tariff laws to encourage swifter change. Reduce emissions and adapt. “This must be done,” he insisted. Adjust our thinking to consider the “true cost” of methods that will lead to catastrophic costs in the future, such as coal. Consider the life-cycle cost of buildings as we build to a high standard and eliminate waste of resources and energy. Conserve water and promote its recycling. Garamendi reminded us that adversity presents a need for action and an opportunity for change. If we do it right, recovery from our current problems will lead to a new industrial revolution based on renewable energy (unlike the one fueled by carbon that helped create many problems we face today). However, he pointed out, we must expand opportunities and invest in a learning curve of research. With $3 billion in stimulus money we could fund research into bio fuels, wave energy, improved solar and wind options, and more. If that seems like a lot of money, remember that$ 5 billion currently goes to oil, where it’s not needed, he observed. Why perpetuate a failing system when the money can be used to invigorate the economy with better solutions? Editor’s note: John Garamendi is running to fill a seat for California in the U.S. House of Representatives in the November 2010 election. Printer-friendly version