MURDER CHARGES FILED IN STAGED LAKESIDE CRASH
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2010 – Murder charges have been filed against Michael Richardson, who is accused of staging a June 29, 2010 car accident on Highway 67 in Lakeside to cover up the deaths of his wife and mother-in-law. The bodies of his wife, Thao Richardson, and his mother-in-law, Phan Lai, were found in wreckage down an embankment, days after their deaths. As ECM previously reported. After the bodies were discovered, police initially charged Richardson with statutory rape of his 17-year-old niece. Further investigation has led to the filing yesterday of double murder charges, according to the San Diego Sheriff’s office. If you have information on these crimes, call the Sheriff’s homicide detail at (858)974-2321/after hours (858)565-5200, or call Crime Stoppers at (888)580-TIPS (8477. Printer-friendly version
HIDDEN GARDENS OF MT. HELIX: ALL ABOARD! MODEL RAILROAD PROVIDES FOCAL POINT AT COLLECTOR’S HOME
Printer-friendly version Part 3 in a 5-part series on gardens featured in the 2010 Grossmont-Mt. Helix Association garden tour. August 27, 2010 (Mt. Helix) — Dick and Cynthia Jackson have made the most of seemingly every inch in the front and back yards of their modest-sized home on Bonnie Vista. A courtyard of bricks set in sand welcomes guests to this charming garden, where classic boxwood hedges define a patriotic garden of red, white and blue blooms including hollyhocks, roses, silver sheen and razzleberry. The home’s front yard also includes a fountain and vegetable garden complete with tomatoes, lettuce and melons. In back, a pergola shades a patio area overlooking a pool and outdoor fireplace. Dick Jackson designed the structure complete with sturdy support columns of stacked chimney flue tiles reinforced with rebar and finished with stucco, all overlooking views south to the Coronado islands. “I’ve always had hobbies. When I was a kid, my Dad always had a railroad room,” said Dick Jackson, who created his own outdoor railway display. A battery-operated G-gauge model railroad winds through a village of miniature buildings and tiny topiary trees of pomegranate and rosemary. Cynthia Jackson designed an Oriental “rug” made of bricks beneath a vine-covered pergola. The yard also features a clever rain-harvesting system to capture 110 gallons of rainwater diverted from roof gutters; the gravity-fed tanks can reach capacity in just one hour of rainfall. In addition, the property includes a potting area with earthwork farm. Printer-friendly version
BOOK REVIEW: SHADOW MASTERS SHINES LIGHT ON DARK DEALINGS
Printer-friendly version Shadow Masters, By Daniel Estulin (Trine Day, LLC, Walterville, Oregon, 2010, 357 pages.) Book Review by Dennis Moore August 26, 2010 (San Diego) — Award-winning investigative journalist and best-selling author of The True Story of the Bilderberg Group, Daniel Estulin, has followed up with another powerful expose in a similar vein, Shadow Masters. To carry the Bilderberg theme further, the author demonstrates how governments and their intelligence agencies are working with international drug dealers and terrorists for mutual benefit and profit. As he explains in his book, this extraordinary investigation examines how behind-the-scenes collaboration between governments, intelligence agencies, big business, drug traffickers and “terrorists” has lined the pockets of the elite on one hand, while on the other profoundly contributing to the destruction of sovereign nation-states in favor of more efficient units, but without such messy things as the US Constitution and its Bill of Rights. Estulin indicates that “Dealing their cards from the darkness, the Shadow Masters create ‘reality,’ inventing the good guys and the bad buys, playing a rigged game for power, profit and … our future.” In his book, we find out the identities of these “good and bad guys.” As in The True Story of the Bilderberg Group, the author takes us inside the secret meetings and sheds light on why a group of politicians, businessmen, bankers and other mighty individuals formed the world’s most powerful society. Shadow Masters, from the author’s viewpoint, is that natural extension of what those in the Bilderberg Group had in mind. In my initial communication(s) with the author, I inquired of him as to what was behind his thinking in naming of his book, Shadow Masters. He stated that he kept thinking of these people as “psychotic little gray men working from the shadows, running and in some cases controlling the events around the world from behind the curtain. The word “Master’ somehow logically fell into place as in someone in control, the head person. And I already had the word ‘Shadow.’ Thus, Shadow Masters.” Benjamin Disraeli, one of England’s greatest Prime Ministers, puts Shadow Masters in perspective by noting: “The world is governed by very different personages from what is imagined by those who are not behind the scenes.” Estulin follows up by recalling in his book the words of a former U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Seychelles, David Fischer: “The whole game of intelligence is called a wilderness of mirrors. You look at it, but what you see isn’t reality, it’s always changing. I had a feeling that none of what I was seeing was real.” Thus, the crux of Estulin’s book. Drugs, diamonds and dirty money are integral parts of the Shadow Masters, emphasized throughout the book. The illegality of the plants – coca, cannabis and the opium poppy – creates the world’s largest “black” marketplace: over one trillion untaxed, cash dollars annually, supplying the Shadow Masters with funds to corrupt our financial institutions, according to the author. “What looked like a clean and simple narrative, a morality tale pitting a heroic ‘human rights’ crusader and former KGB against a tyrannical leader of Russia – a rough nation of lawlessness and corruption doomed to imprisonment by its bloody past – has, on closer examination, turned into something quite different, and far more complex,” the author wrote. “ Again, why would the President of Russia, at the peak of his popularity and awash in oil revenues, risk a breach with every Western nation by ordering the protracted public murder of a man, at worst, was a nuisance to the regime?” All this, and more, is answered in the Shadow Masters. Estulin asks in Shadow Masters such probing questions as “who killed Litvinenko, the former KGB agent, and what did his death have to do with the overall scheme of things? He speaks candidly throughout the book about a Victor Bout, named the “Merchant of Death,” who has been designated second only to Osama bin Laden as the world’s most evil person. The author’s explosive investigation of Bout rips the lid off one of the most sinister and mind-boggling deceptions of recent times. Estulin spent over six months in Thailand, attending court hearings and visiting Bout in prison, obtaining exclusive interviews. With unprecedented access to Bout’s business files and personal materials, the author shows the accusations against Bout to be less than the truth – a fable serving the needs of the Shadow Masters, according to Estulin. He indicates in his book that one way to delve into the innermost secrets of the Shadow Masters and the world’s interlocked terrorist networks is to look at clandestine arms trafficking, and that according to the mainstream press, the most infamous gunrunner of them all is Victor Bout. He further states that corporate media defines Victor Bout as a savvy, ambitious, modern-day, multinational entrepreneur. Estulin states in his book: “Victor Bout is the poster boy for a new generation of post Cold War international arms dealers who play a critical role in areas where the weapons trade has been embargoed by the United Nations. The story spans several continents and involves a large network of shady individuals, front companies and government officials; corrupt African bureaucrats and thieving East European military officials.” Thus, the Shadow Masters! On one hand, the mainstream press has tried to portray the author’s investigative journalism as conspiracy fiction, but there is no denying that his discussions of the Shadow Masters have been drawing full houses across North America, Europe and Southeast Asia. The undeniable facts that he has presented in his book, supported by government documentation, lends credence to the theme of his book. Estulin’s hypotheses and/or the “connecting of the dots” in his book, can be summed up in his statement: “So, you have an international terrorist (Osama bin Laden) trained and funded by the CIA, an international terrorist organization (the KLA, excuse me, the Kosovo Protection Corps) trained and funded by the British, American and German Secret Services and Special Forces,
EL CAJON WOMAN KILLED IN SANTEE CRASH
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 27, 2010 (Santee) – Christina Gravitt, 46, of El Cajon was killed Wednesday, August 25 as the result of a high-speed accident. According to the San Diego County Medical Examiner, Gravitt was driving a Dodge Durango traveling southbound on Magnolia Avenue in Santee at a high rate of speed when the vehicle went out of control. After skidding across four lanes, the vehicle struck a utility pole and a large tree before rolling over onto its hood in a resident’s front yard. Gravitt, who was not wearing a seatbelt, was ejected and died of blunt force injuries. She was pronounced dead at 2:25 a.m. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA SPOTLIGHT: MAYORAL CANDIDATE LAURA LOTHIAN
Printer-friendly version Candidate’s troubled past leads to new beginnings By Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery In part one of this series on election races in La Mesa, East County Magazine spotlights Mayoral challenger Laura Lothian. August 27, 2010 (La Mesa)–Currently a successful real estate salesperson for Windermere Pacific Coast Properties in La Mesa, Laura Lothian is challenging incumbent Mayor Art Madrid in the November election. Her qualifications include serving on the La Mesa Parking Commission, on the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and as a member of the Village Merchant’s Association and La Mesa Historical Society. She has been endorsed by Councilwoman Ruth Sterling. New Beginnings La Mesa Mayoral candidate Laura Lothian believes in new ideas and new beginnings. “I think it’s not healthy to have someone in the same position year after year… I have a vision I want to implement, and then I’ll get out,” she pledged. She cites friends who bought a troubled restaurant and soon had the place thriving by infusing enthusiasm, but not changing menus or décor. “The parallel I want to make is that sometimes a new energy comes in and it changes everybody’s attitude.” Lothian describes herself as “having been a new kid my whole life.” She attended nine schools before graduating high school and mentions living in at least eight states from the deep South to New England. Lothian went on to study journalism at Caifornia State University Long Beach. In California, she has lived in several Orange County communities, as well as Coronado and Mission Hills before moving to La Mesa in 2008 and building a successful career in real estate as well as becoming an active community volunteer. Her website states, “Laura is a long-time resident of La Mesa and understands your concerns.” She also pledges "squeaky clean integrity" and a "passion" for La Mesa. Most of all, Lothian credits her ability to start over as central to her decision to run for Mayor. On her website, she states, “If elected mayor, I would be new at something again but I have proven repeatedly that I possess drive, common sense, a hard-work ethic and a knack for fixing what needs fixing.” In an interview with East County Magazine, she said candidly, “I realize it was remarkable to go from divorce, losing my house, my kids moving to Orange County and Mexico,” she paused. “I was able to beat it, and do something and do it right.” Troubled Past In researching candidates for higher office, ECM searches the on-line records for Superior Court, San Diego Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk as well as Google searches for news articles. We also look at voting records at the Registrar of Voters, and professional licensing records. Lothian stated that she married Matthew Lothian in 1987. ECM’s record search revealed problems for Lothian and/or her then-husband in at least 10 financial cases through the years including injunctive relief, loan defaults, sale of their foreclosed house, collection actions, an eviction, and State and Federal Tax Liens totaling $2.5 million. Most significantly, a 1990 L.A. Times article here names her husband as one of five men at B.N. Goldberg Associates who were sentenced in a fraud case in Orange County “in connection with a $5-million telemarketing scam in which hundreds of investors were conned into purchasing phony contracts for precious metals.” Matthew Lothian was sentenced to one year of prison plus probation and was fined $300,000 for his actions in the mid-’80s. The candidate explained, “Before I met him he worked for a company, and it took the government about a decade to get to him.” After they married she became a stay at home mom of three. “I gave birth to my second child alone,” she said, pointing out that the tax liens were in her husband’s name. She said she did not work for the company. She stayed with him for twelve years after his conviction. Asked why, she said, “I married him because I loved him,” adding that she considered divorce but had three young children to care for. “He is the most gentle person on earth. He got caught up so young, 23 years old, eager and ambitious.” In 1997 Superior Court records list her husband as a defendant in another fraud case, Travelmax International Inc et. al. vs. Alverson, about which Lothian said she knew nothing. Lothian described her ex-husband as “a really great guy, well liked, super personality, a ton of friends. A really happy go lucky, good guy.” She said “I saw it eat him alive and he almost died; he had a stroke and seizures. He’s 48 and uses a walker now, handicapped and lives with his mother.” She explained that “eventually his depression and alcoholism was too much,” so they divorced in 2002, after fifteen years of marriage. “I’ve just forgotten about him. It’s like a visiting uncle. I’ve gone through trials, lawyers, probation, and I just finally said I can’t take any more.” She is proud of her ability to go to work to support herself and her children, and said she sold 100 homes to become the fourth ranking sales agent in the country for Help-U-Sell in her first year, and was the top grossing producer for 2007, 2008 and 2009 for Windermere. Department of Real Estate records show Lothian’s salesperson license was under conditional suspension for three months in 2004. She said that’s because continuing education papers were not returned on time because she mistakenly believed her employer would send in test results. Her license was later restored after she provided documentation, she added. The Present Late last month, the La Mesa Police Department was called to Lothian’s home on Date Street twice in one evening. Around 8 o’clock a parent called with a tip that alcohol was being served to minors. When police arrived, Lothian’s 19-year old daughter told them she was having a birthday party but no alcohol was going to be served. After receiving multiple calls from
FIRE HALTED NEAR GROSSMONT COLLEGE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photos by Dennis Richardson Update 7:30 p.m. — Cause of the fire has been determined to be accidental, due to workers installing a fence. August 27, 2010 (El Cajon) updated 1:30 p.m. — Heartland Fire dispatch confirms that a fire that forced evacuation of homes near Grossmont College is now fully contained. No buildings were lost or damaged. Scroll down for videos provided by a reader. The fire charred about 12 acres north of the campus. Evacuations were ordered for the 8900 block of Clifford Heights, as East County Magazine reported earlier this morning. About 50 workers were evacuated from buildings at the north end of campus, but no classes were disrupted. A multi-agency strike team composed of "all East County agencies" provided a "high wildland response," according to Monica Zech, spokesperson for the City of El Cajon. If you’re not yet signed up for our Viejas Wildfire & Emergency alerts, sign up FREE at the signup logo on the top right side of our homepage. Printer-friendly version
KICK OFF YOUR SHOES! GRAPE STOMP AT ORFILA AUG. 28
Printer-friendly version August 26, 2010 (San Pasqual) — Orfila Vineyards in San Pasqual invites you to celebrate the fruits of their labors at its annual Grape Stomp from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, August 28. Tickets ($85 each) include dinner, wine-tasting reception with hors ‘de oeuvres, live music, tractor rides, and of course, stomping of the grapes. Reserve early, as this event sells out each year. Full menu includes: Baby Greens with fresh mango, raspberries, strawberries, French feta, avocado, diced green onions and slivered almonds, presented with a Balsamic orange dressing Tomato watermelon salad with feta and toasted almonds Risotto primavera Arborio rice & chicken stock with asparagus, artichokes, prosciutto, fresh basil, onions and peas finished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese Grilled Italian sausages Sweet and spicy sauteed chicken piccata with dry white wine, butter, fresh lemon juice, minced parsley and capers Homemade Italian flat bread presented with assortment of toppings: tomato sauce, olive oil, fresh garlic,fresh pesto, pine nuts, seasoned walnuts, marinated artichokes, slivered grilled eggplant, sun dried tomatoes, fresh basil, sliced tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, feta cheese, gorgonzola cheese & Parmesan cheese Crepes Sucrees Made to order lemon curd & chocolate mousse with fresh seasonal fruit, whipped cream, chopped nuts and chocolate sauce Freshly brewed Gourmet Coffees (regular and decaffeinated) Certified organic Sumatra golden Mandheling Lemonade and iced tea stations For reservations, call 1.800.868.9463 or visit More Info: www.ORFILA.com. Printer-friendly version
COOLER TEMPS, GUSTY WINDS FOR WEEKEND
Printer-friendly version East County News Service August 27, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Look for relief from blistering triple-digit heat this weekend, with high temperatures forecast to dip into the 80s Saturday and Sunday in East County. Gusty winds are also forecast in mountain and desert areas, the National Weather Service predicts. Yesterday saw formation of some spectacular thunderheads over East County. However thunderstorms are not forecast for the next several days. It’s idyllic weather for enjoying some end of summer outdoor activities. For a list of ideas, check our Calendar and Festivals of the Month sections (both listed under "Best of East County) on the right side of this page. Printer-friendly version
INFRARED TECHNOLOGY HELPS DEPUTIES NAB SUSPECT IN SPRING VALLEY
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2010 (Spring Valley) – San Diego Sheriff’s ASTREA-3 helicopter assisted Lemon Grove gang suppression deputies in the apprehension of a parolee at large on Wednesday night at 9:44 p.m. on Eileen Street in Spring Valley. As deputies approached the residence where the suspect was believed to be hiding, he fled into the backyard. The suspect jumped several fences and tried to hide on a shed in the backard of a nearby residence. His movements were observed by the sheriff’s helicopter using infrared technology and broadcast to ground units. Ground units were able to surround the fleeing suspect, who eventually surrendered and was taken into custody. Printer-friendly version
SIMPLE WISDOM: NURTURE YOUR IMAGINATION
Printer-friendly version August 27, 2010 (San Diego) — Do you know how to take responsibility for your creativity? Like many, you may have trouble nurturing your imagination. Facing the blank screen, score, canvas, loom, or clay often brings up inadequacy and its undercurrent — fear. Whatever your medium, the challenges are similar – staying present with dissonance or emptiness until your muse arrives. When you delay or avoid projects, you miss the delight of ongoing creation. Here’s the tip. Find a safe place to reach inside to the part of you that carries inadequacy and fear. Let him/her know they are not alone. Offer compassion for all the ways their creativity was unwittingly squashed by wounded caretakers. Allow vestigial grief or anger to move through your experience. Be tender. Breathe. Stay in your body. Next, do a little dance, sing a little song, make silly sounds for a minute or two. Anything will do…the important thing is to move. Once you feel the pulse of life rising recall (or imagine) a time you were able to break through barriers in some project. Feel that triumph. Scan your memory to reveal how long it took before discomfort dissolved into flow. Finally, next time you’re tempted to circumvent a project, first try grappling with it for 10 minutes. Most likely you won’t even notice the clock as you get caught up creating. Amazingly — ideas arrive, solutions appear. You can do this. You were born for this. Just begin. Penelope Young Andrade LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist with over 35 years experience integrating the best of traditional and alternative approaches for bodymind transformation. www.penelopetalk.com 858-481-5752 penart@abac.com Printer-friendly version