HOW DID YOUR LEGISLATOR VOTE ON CONSUMER ISSUES? HOLLINGSWORTH RANKS 2ND WORST IN LEGISLATURE; SALDANA RANKS 100%
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Legislators representing astern areas in San Diego County got mixed scores from Consumer Federation of California’s 2009 scorecard for California lawmakers. The scorecard ranks state Senators and Assemblymembers for votes to protect consumers on issues including food safety, identity theft, health care reform, toxics, false advertising, real estate lending reform, and deceptive insurance industry practices. Topping the list locally is Assemblymember Lori Saldaña (now a candidate for County Supervisor), who voted to protect consumers 100% of the time in the last year and 98% during her entire legislative career. Worst was Senator Dennis Hollingsworth, who voted for consumer protections just 7% of the time last year and 15% over his cumulative years in the legislature—earning the second worse score in the entire Legislature. Democratic lawmakers scored consistently higher than area Republicans on consumer protection issues locally and statewide. Below are votes for all representatives with all or a portion of their districts east of I-15 in San Diego County. The first score is for 2009, the second is a lifetime legislative ranking. ASSEMBLY Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) 20%, 21% Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) 80%, 80% Nathan Fletcher (R-San Diego) 19%, 19% *Martin Garrick (R-Carlsbad) 20%, 13% Mary Salas (D-Chula Vista) 94%, 90% Lori Saldaña (D-San Diego) 100% 98% SENATE Denise Ducheny (D-San Diego) 71%, 78% *Dennis Holilngsworth (R-Murrieta) 7% , 15% Christine Kehoe (D-San Diego) 87%, 92% Mark Wyland (R-Escondido) 18%, 17% *cities denote where officials live; districts include portions of San Diego County’s eastern regions) If you don’t know who your local state representatives are, visit: http://www.legislature.ca.gov/legislators_and_districts/legislators/your_legislator.html To find records on other members of the California Legislature, visit: http://consumercal.live.radicaldesigns.org/downloads/2009%20Scorecard_1.pdf Printer-friendly version
BODY FOUND BELOW BRIDGE NEAR FALLBROOK IDENTIFIED
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Fallbrook) – The body of a man found yesterday in the southbound lane of I-15 at Old Highway 395 has been identified as Leland John Davis, 60. Davis resided in Escondido, along with his wife. An off-duty Escondido police officer found the body yesterday morning while on his way to work and moved the body onto the shoulder. Medics were unable to revive the victim, who was pronounced dead at a local hospital. No official cause of death has been announced, however a suicide note was found in Davis’ vehicle, which was parked near the bridge on Old Highway 395. A traffic alert was issue following discovery of the body. An autopsy is set for today, according to the County Coroner’s office. Printer-friendly version
SANTEE HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING & FESTIVITIES NOV. 20
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Santee) –The City of Santee will host its Holiday Lighting Celebration on Friday, November 20, 2009 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Road in Santee. Festivities include ice skating, horse-drawn carriage, caroling, concerts, kids’ activities, Santa visit, a tree lighting ceremony and fireworks. From 5:30 to 6:15, entertainment by Singing Solo will be provided. at 6:15, the tree lighting ceremony and fireworks will take place, followed by a Navy Band Southwest Brass Quintet concert from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Activities are free, except for ice skating, which costs $3 a person for participants 5 and up. Other activities include free kids’ crafts and cookie decorating, Lowe’s workshop, and special appearances by the Sonrise Church Carolers, Santee Historical Society, and Santa and his helpers. for more information, call the event hotline at (619)4100 ext. 201 or visit: For more information, visit http://www.ci.santee.ca.us. Printer-friendly version
STOP BLACKWATER VICTORY PARTY NOV. 20
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Citizens Oversight, an East County-based watchdog group, led a successful effort to convince Southwestern College to terminate its agreement with Xe (formerly known as Blackwater) for training of local law enforcement students. Now Citizens Oversight invites the public to join a “Stop Blackwater!” victory celebration on November 20th . The party will be held at Caffe Tazza, 374 E. H St., Suite 1705 in Chula Vista 91910, down the street from Southwsetern College. Volunteers, students, faculty, activists, elected officials and candidates are invited to attend. In addition, Citizens Oversights welcomes those interested to attend tonight’s Southwestern College Board Meeting to extend thanks for the Board’s change of heart. The board meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at 900 Otay Lakes Road in Room 214. Blackwater, a private military contractor, drew global criticism over its actions in Iraq including the Nisour Massacre and actions which triggered the siege of Fallujah. In East County, the company sparked controversy over plans to build a private military training camp in Potrero. Blackwater later withdrew those plans amid massive public outcry, officially stating that its change of plans was due to inability to meet County noise requirements. For more information on the Southwestern College decision to cancel its agreement with Xe, see http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/node/2086. For details on both events, visit www.citizensoversight.org. Printer-friendly version
MAJOR ACCIDENTS SNARL COMMUTE ON 3 AREA FREEWAYS
Printer-friendly versionNovember 18, 2009 (San Diego)-SigAlerts have been issued following serious accidents on area freeways this evening including I-8, I-805, and SR 163. Two cars have rolled over, trapping passengers inside on southbound I-805 at Murray Ridge Road. The accident also involves a motorcycle and there are multiple injuries, IPN reported at 6:38 p.m. Traffic remains slow following an earlier accident on westbound I-8 at Mission Center Road, according to SigAlert San Diego.com, where IPN reports that a multi-vehicle pile-up left a motorcyclist unconscious. An ambulance has also been called for a third accident on 805 south of 163, where an SUV has overturned, California Highway Patrol reports. Printer-friendly version
MAN ROBS OFFICE DEPOT IN LA MESA
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (La Mesa) — At approximately 2:52 p.m. yesterday, a man robbed the Office Depot store at 8481 Fletcher Parkway in La Mesa. The robber demanded money from a store clerk, displaying a simulated gun under his shirt. The clerk gave the suspect approximately $334.00 in cash. The suspect fled eastbound and was last seen running running towards the Petco Store. A search of the area with ground police units and the ASTREA helicopter did not locate the suspect. He is described as a black male in his thirties, medium build, 5-10 to 6 feet tall. He wore a white baseball cap, black over size plastic sunglasses, a burgundy colored vest over a shirt and blue jeans. If you have information on this crime, please contact the watch commander at La Mesa Police at (619)667-1416 and reference case number 09-06228. Printer-friendly version
SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT: LAUGHTER IS FOCUS AT ALPINE BUSINESS NETWORKING MEETING NOV. 19
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Alpine) Alpine Business Networking Meeting is offering a tour of Alpine Fitness Club (www.AlpineFitnessClub.com), 1620 Alpine Blvd., location of the organization’s next meeting on November 19 (upstairs at "Mike’s Place") from 5:30-7:30 p.m. The meeting will feature Michael Coleman from Laughing in San Diego, as well as a 15 minute Laughing Yoga session focused on specific ice-breaking and networking opportunities. Studies of people who have participated in Laughter Yoga sessions show a significant reduction in stress and significant improvements in their ability to cope with stress, organizers report. Physically, laughter strengthens the immune system, reduces pain, improves the cardiovascular system and respiratory systems, equalizes blood pressure, aides with digestion, and provides other benefits. Emotionally, laughter is one of the best antidotes to stress, anger, worry and other negative emotions. Similarly, laughter is an effective antidote for depression. Socially, laughter breaks down barriers between people. It is a perfect icebreaker that helps people build trust and feel safe with each other. For more information, call (619) 445-0285 or visit http://www.abna.biz/events-calendar/eventlist.html. Printer-friendly version
SOPHIE’S GALLERY PRESENTS “WINGS OF SNOW” EXHIBITION DEC. 4
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (El Cajon) –Sophie’s Gallery invites you to “rekindle the magic of the season” at its 10th Annual Holiday Show celebration, “Wings of Snow.” The exhibit features a collection of unique angels and winged mosaic pieces hand-crafted by developmentally disabled individuals from St. Madeline Sophie’s Center. The gallery is located at 109 Rea St., just east of the Magnolia/Rea Street intersection. A reception will be held on Friday, December 4th from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served and entertainment will include live music. A $20 donation is suggested. Click here for details and a $10 discount coupon for purchases at Sophie’s Gallery: http://www.stmsc.org/events.shtml Printer-friendly version
EL CAJON ARTIST HOLDS ONE-WOMAN ART SHOW DOWNTOWN TO BENEFIT CANCER CENTER
Printer-friendly version November 18,2009 (San Diego) – Fletcher Hills artist Mary Lou Holmberg will host a One Woman Art Show on Friday, November 20th from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the lobby of Emerald Plaza, 402 W. Broadway in downtown San Diego. Her show, titled “Return,” celebrates two years of clean health for the award-winning artist and lung cancer survivor. Admission to the art show is free. A percentage of sales will benefit Scripps Cancer Center, where Holmberg was treated. Holmberg is a member of the San Diego Watercolor Society, the La Jolla Art Association, the San Diego Museum of Arts, Artists Guild, the Sedona Art Center and the Northern Arizona Watercolor Society. She is a frequent student of the Athenaeum School of the Arts in La Jolla and a student of many workshops. Her work has been selected for the El Cajon International Festival of Arts for three years. Her work has also been juried into most of the San Diego Watercolor Society gallery shows, featured at the La Jolla Art Association gallery and recently included in a Northern Arizona Watercolor Society show at the Sedona Art Center. To learn more about the artist and her work, visit www.marylouholmberg.com. Printer-friendly version
CHRISTMAS CARDS FOR OUR TROOPS
Printer-friendly version November 18, 2009 (Ramona) — The Ramona Forum will collect Christmas cards for the troops this year. To get them there in time, collection must be completed by the end of the month. “Please contact everyone you know and ask them to buy a Christmas card, and write a greeting,” Dave Patterson, founder of the Ramona Forum, asked. “The cards will be mailed in boxes, so no stamps needed. Just a personal greeting.” Donations to defer the mailing cost are also requested. “Please volunteer yourself as the card collection point, and follow up to make sure your friends don’t forget,” asks Patterson, a Viet Nam veteran. “Let’s see how many we can get for those kids on a mountain top.” Cards must be received by the Ramona Forum no later than November 29. For more information, call Dave Patterson at 760-207-9139. Printer-friendly version