THEY’RE BACK: SDG&E HELICOPTERS ALLOWED TO RESUME POWERLINK OPERATIONS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Arocles Aguilar, Assistant General Counsel at the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) today sent a letter to Patrick T. Lee, vice president in charge of the Sunrise Powerlink project for SDG&E. The letter authorizes SDG&E to resume helicopter operations on the Powerlink project immediately. The CPUC found that SDG&E fulfilled requirements for remedial actions including a safety stand down, rigging training, necessity of helicopter operations vs. ground transportation, and incident reporting procedures. A stop work order issued September 27 had indicated that if helicopter operations were resumed, SDG&E would be limited to flying helicopters only in areas not accessible by roads (with the exception of installing towers and line rigging). It is unclear from today’s letter whether that restriction has been applied and CPUC spokesperson Terrie Prosper has not responded to an ECM inquiry as of tonight. During the brief respite from helicopter flights, East County residents living along the construction line had posted messages on Facebook commenting on the peace and quiet. Numerous residents have filed complaints with the FAA alleging that the helicopters were flying too closer over homes and in some cases, carrying suspended loans over residences in violation of federal laws–allegations that the CPUC did not reference in its stop work order. Printer-friendly version
POVERTY RATE SKYROCKETS TO NEARLY 30% IN EL CAJON, RISES ACROSS COUNTY AND NATION: 22% OF U.S. CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery October 4, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – When we launched East County Magazine in 2008, we published a story on the high rate of poverty in El Cajon, which was then 20.6%. Today, it’s soared 50%, to 29.7%–by far the highest of any city in our county. But a growing number of individuals and families throughout the San Diego region are falling into poverty, with children being especially hard-hit, according to new Census data recently released. Countywide, the poverty rate grew to 14.8% in 2010, up from 12.6% in 2009. More than one in ten children (11.6%) are living in poverty locally. Statewide, the poverty rate is 13%, while nationally it is 15.1%–with the highest number of people in poverty (46.2 million) since the Census began tracking poverty 52 years ago. Even more alarming, 22% of children under 18 are being raised in households below the poverty line. Among other local cities, rates ranged from a low of 8.4% in Chula Vista to 20.5% in Escondido; the City of San Diego measured 17.4%. Even many people living above federal poverty levels are struggling to survive in areas such as San Diego, where living costs are higher than the national average. A better measurement, experts say, is the proportion of residents who fall below 200% of the national poverty level, earning $44,700 a year or less for a family of four. In San Diego County, a staggering 34% fall below that level—up from 30% just one year earlier. “The recession is far from over,” Corrine Wilson, research and policy leader at the Center on Policy Initiatives in San Diego, after analyzing the Census data. Wilson said the data paints a “stark picture” adding, “For many families it is getting much worse, whether they’re working or trying to find work.” Poverty rates for African Americans and Latinos locally have poverty rates of 20.6% and 20.9% , nearly double the 10.95 rate for whites and Asians. However whites had the biggest drop in media income in 2010, falling 11%. “It’s clear that things aren’t getting better,” said Corinne Wilson, who oversees research and policy for the Center on Policy Initiatives in San Diego. “People need to get back to work in middle-class jobs that allow them to not just stay out of poverty, but to pay their mortgages, pay their bills and have health care.” Many of those living in poverty are working – including 25,000 people working part time and 93,000 working full-time. Countywide, over 17% of all San Diego County residents have no healthcare coverage. “Job creation alone won’t solve the problem, if industries are allowed to create more poverty jobs,” a CPI report concluded. “Like the rest of the country, the San Diego region needs more quality jobs with living wages and health coverage.” Printer-friendly version
IS LA MESA READY FOR THE NEXT 100 YEARS? SUSTAIN LA MESA FESTIVAL OCT. 8 AIMS FOR IT
Printer-friendly version By Kristin Kjaero September 25, 2011 (La Mesa)–As the City of La Mesa prepares for its centennial in 2012, it is looking towards the future with the fourth annual “Sustain La Mesa” Environmental Festival as well as “Our Planet Our Home” K-12 Environmental Literacy and Art Contest, October 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Harry Griffen Park. The largest festival thus far is chock full of cutting edge information which can help you not only sustain the environment, but ultimately your budget as well. Monarch butterflies will be released as a grand finale. Topics include healthy home rebates, vertical gardening, gray water systems, commuting, a mini electric car show, solar cooking, backyard wildlife habitats, community sustainability agriculture co-ops (CSAs), the city’s Live Well and Community Garden initiatives, and much, much more. A full schedule of speakers will be presented on the Festival Stage throughout the day. The California Center for Sustainability Energy will be unveiling their brand new Residential Energy Roadshow trailer at the event. EDCO is holding a free recycling drop-off at the Festival as well, and will take all electronics, batteries (no automotive), used cooking oil, all plastics including shrink wrap and bags, clean formed Styrofoam, metals and glass; please no hazardous waste, tape or labels. Activities for kids include the San Diego County Office of Education’s Splash Mobile Lab, the San Diego River Park Foundation’s “River Bugs are Cool,” and face painting by the Clown Conspiracy. Awards for the Environmental Art & Literacy contest will be given out on the Festival Stage, and winning pieces displayed in the La Mesa Library through the month of October. As the Festival has grown so large, this year it is expanding into more of the park, and will be divided into zones on Energy and Transportation, Horticulture & Habitat, Water, Community, Kids and Food. A search for more volunteers of all ages has gone out as well. Those interested in volunteering are asked to contact Scott Munzenmaier at 667-1338, smunzenmaier@ci.la-mesa.ca.us . Environmental Sustainability Commisison Chair Gloria Carrillo stated, “As long as there are people who care, reach out and give unselfishly of their time for community service, our city will continue to thrive and be a place of possibility, hope and achievement for future generations and the next hundred years.” Like the city’s Flag Day Parade, the event is funded by grants, donations from individuals and businesses, including SDGE, EDCO and the California Center for Sustainable Energy, and is staffed by community volunteers. “A festival like this is an educational process which serves as a foundation for living in a better, and healthier environment, and enjoying a better quality of life,” said Mayor Art Madrid, who initiated the process that lead to the Council’s creation of the city’s Environmental Sustainability Commission. Click here for the Environmental Sustainability Commission’s web page, a festival flyer, contest entry form and rules, and useful links on sustainability. Schedule of Speakers 10:00 a.m. “Our Planet, Our Home” Award Ceremony 10:30 a.m. $4,000 Healthy Home Rebates, Dadla Ponizil, California Center for Sustainable Energy 11:10 a.m., “Harvest Rain, Grow Food, save $$$,” Candace Vanderhoff RainThanks, Greywater & Permaculture 11:50 a.m. “Planning & Planting Living Walls,” Georges Fortier Vertical Garden Solutions.com 12:30 p.m. “Community Sustainable Agriculture,” Paul Maschka San Diego City College Urban Agriculture Program 1:10 p.m. “Build a Backyard Butterfly Bonanza,” Robin Rivet, Urban Forestry/Advice & Technical Assistance CenterA 2:00 p.m. Monarch Butterfly Release Printer-friendly version
COX ROLLS OUT WIRELESS PHONE SERVICE IN SAN DIEGO
Printer-friendly version MoneyBack Minutes feature a first among wireless carriers October 3, 2011 (San Diego) – Community leaders and elected officials were on hand Friday to celebrate launch of Cox Communication’s “Unbelievably Fair” wireless phone service for its San Diego County customers. Adding mobile phone capability to Cox’s existing bundle of video, Internet and landline telephone services, the company will now integrate home and mobile services. “We did a lot of research and we found that while people like having cell phones, they don’t think it’s fair to lose unused minutes,” said Dave Bialis, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cox’s California operations at a grand opening of the company’s remodeled Euclid retail outlet, now a Cox Wireless store where shelves sport a wide variety of wireless phones, Androids and accessories.Under the Cox plan, customers who don’t use up their minutes can get up to $20 a month back on their bills., he said. The store is one of five retail outlets countywide (including an East County store in Santee), with a sixth coming soon in Hillcrest. Customers must already own at least one Cox product in order to purchase wireless services. “These are Androids. They are Google, which is worldwide and on more networks than iphones,” Bialis said of the company’s new entries into the smart phone marketplace. “More phones will be arriving on shelves by Christmas,” he added. Going to bat for Cox Wireless, Padres Hall-of-Famer Tony Gwynn will be at Cox Wireless on Euclid on Saturday, October 8 from 1 to 2 p.m. Cox Wireless is now available in all of the company’s California markets, including Santa Barbara, Orange County and Palos Verdes. The service has already launched in seven states, and will be available in more than 50% of the company’s national footprint by the end of the year. The first cable provider nationwide to offer wireless services, Cox Communications’ mobile phone plans will begin at $39.99 a month. Handsets include AndroidTM enabled smartphones, feature-packed devices and multimedia phones. Cox Wireless service includes: • MoneyBack MinutesSM – Depending on your voice plan, get up to $20 back every month for unused minutes; • Bundle Benefits SM – Free upgrade on your video, Internet or phone service. Choose from a premium movie channel such as Starz or Cinemax, higher Internet speeds, free unlimited domestic long distance calling on your landline, or early nights and weekends on your mobile phone. • Free Usage Alerts – Receive a text message before you go over your monthly minutes so there are no surprise overage charges on your next bill. • Talk List* – Customers with a monthly wireless plan of 800 minutes or more can enjoy unlimited free calling between any number on their Talk List. (Excludes monthly unlimited plans). • Mexico Calling Plan – Lowers per minute rates to mobile and landline phones in Mexico. “Consumers want a more fair approach to wireless service, and Cox is responding by offering MoneyBack Minutes, Bundle Benefits, and free Usage Alerts,” Bialis added. Cox also provides free Mobile-to-Mobile and calling between the customer’s home Cox Digital Telephone and Cox Wireless device. “With the addition of wireless services, Cox has devised an approach that is a natural extension of its bundle, providing value and simplicity which should resonate with consumers,” stated Irene Berlinsky, senior research analyst with IDC. Cox Solutions Stores – A New Retail Presence With the arrival of Cox Wireless, mobile solutions are now available at the recently unveiled Cox Solutions Stores throughout San Diego County. At the heart of the in-store experience is the Learning Lounge, a comfortable area where a friendly and knowledgeable Solutions Educator is available to help answer customer questions one-on-one or in a workshop on such topics as accessing the features of your new Cox Wireless phone, programming your DVR from multiple devices, or home networking. Cox Solutions Store locations include: Chula Vista – 581 Telegraph Canyon Rd. 91911 Escondido – 1264-A Auto Park Way 92029 Oceanside – 461 College Blvd. 92057 San Diego – 1535 Euclid Ave. 92105 Santee – 9349 Mission Gorge Rd. 92071 Wireless Devices The Cox Wireless portfolio of devices include: • HTC DesireTM, an Android enabled touch smartphone with WiFi, 1 GHz processing speeds and HTC SenseTM interface • HTC WildfireTM , an Android enabled smartphone with WiFi featuring app-sharing widget that works on Twitter, texts or email with a 3.2-inch touch screen • Motorola PlusTM, an Android enabled smartphone with QWERY keyboard, integrated social widgets and 5 megapixel camera • LG AxisTM, an Android enabled smartphone with 3.2” (480x 800) touchscreen and slide out QWERTY keyboard, Wi-Fi and 3.0 MP camera which support panoramic shots • Samsung GemTM, an Android enabled smartphone with an 800MHz processor, 3.2 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi and Swype® technology • LG SaberTM, Brew enabled multimedia device with QWERTY keyboard and VGA camera. • Samsung Messager® Touch, Brew enabled multimedia device featuring a 2.6-inch touch-screen, QWERTY keypad, pre-loaded widgets and 100 MB of storage • Samsung ProfileTM , stay connected on the go with this 3G messaging platform on a BREW operating system. QWERTY keyboard with 2.4” screen and 2.0MP camera Cox customers with an Android device can easily download the Cox Mobile Connect app from the Android Market to program their home DVR and see their home TV listings from their mobile device. Additional features include Universal Contact Manager to securely manage, backup and organize all Cox High Speed Internet and Cox Wireless contacts in one place, as well as Voice Mail to Text which converts voice mail messages to text and delivers them to the Cox Wireless device as a text message, giving customers the freedom to read messages and respond without ever dialing. Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and wireless services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves
FREEWAY SHOOTING SUSPECT ARRESTED, CHARGE WITH ATTEMPTED MURDER
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2011 (San Diego) – Enrique Ayon, 24, has been arrested in connection with three freeway shootings that occurred yesterday in San Diego. The Lancaster, California resident has been booked into San Diego County jail and is charged with attempted murder, assault, discharge of a firearm causing injury, and shooting at an inhabited vehicle. He will be arraigned in Superior Court on Thursday. Authorities are searching for a possible second suspect, since witness reports conflicted on whether there were one or two men in the vehicle. A motorist spotted Ayon’s Chevrolet Malibu vehicle in the Lake View Terrace area of Los Angeles and notified authorities, who shut down the freeway before arresting him at gunpoint, the Los Angeles Times reported. He is being held without bail. The rampage began after the vehicle was involved in a hit-and-run collision in San Ysidro. The first shots were fired around 10:30 a.m., striking a vehicle in on I-805 National City near Plaza Blvd. Soon after, a motorist at the Mesa College exit on I-805 was struck by a bullet and wounded in his thigh, according to the California Highway Patrol (CHP). Shots were also fired at I-805 near 163, where a CHP officer was assisting a motorist. In addition, an ambulance was struck on northbound I-5 near Del Mar Heights Road. No one was injured in the attacks, except at the Mesa College location. The shootings are believed to be random and the motive is unknown. ECM news partner 10 news reports that all shots were from the same gun and of the same caliber, according to CHP Officer Art Athans. Ayon has previously been arrested for public intoxication, unlawfully carrying and possessing a weapon, and possession of marijuana while driving. Printer-friendly version
THANKSGIVING PIES FROM MAMA’S KITCHEN BENEFIT CRITICALLY ILL NEIGHBORS IN OUR REGION
Printer-friendly version October 5, 2011, (La Mesa) –Thanksgiving is coming and the people of the United Church of Christ of La Mesa (UCCLM) invite you to let Mama do the baking this year. Church members are helping Mama’s Kitchen raise money to provide nutritious meals for San Diego men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS and cancer. Mama’s Kitchen hopes to sell more than 6,000 pies during the six-week sales period, which starts October 16, will raise $125,000 and fund nearly 40,000 meals. Each pie sold provides more than six home-delivered meals to a neighbor struggling with critical illness. You can help by purchasing a pumpkin, pecan, apple, or sugar-free apple pie for $20 ($15 of each pie purchased is tax-deductible, and $20 of each Love-A-Client Raffle Pie is tax-deductible). These may be ordered online atwww.mamaskitchen.org now through November 20 (enter “UCCLM” on the Team Line). Pies may be picked up at the location of your choice on November 23 from 10:00 until 4:00. The church is located at 5940 Kelton Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942 (619-464-1519, www.ucclm.org). Printer-friendly version
AUTHOR DAVID HORGAN OFFERS TIPS FOR “WHEN YOUR PARENTS MOVE IN”
Printer-friendly versionMedical Educator Offers Tips for an Easy and Harmonious Living Arrangement By David Horgan October 6, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)–There is a rising trend of parents moving in with their adult children. All across the country, the return of multi-generational living is having an impact. The pluses include a closer relationship with mom or dad and more time for grandchildren to share with their grandparents. The arrangement can work for both parties, but preparation is the key to harmonious family living. Before moving a parent in and making a life altering change to the family structure, there are many things to consider. Inviting an elderly parent to move in has far reaching implications on every aspect of your life, from financial impact to changing family dynamics, from role re-assignment to safety issues, from power struggles to eroding privacy. Be Open: Have a clear and open discussion with your family, siblings, spouse, kids, and ultimately your parent, to decide if making the move is the right decision for all parties involved. Discuss: The pros and cons The different ways this move will effect the family The ways each family member’s routines may be disrupted. Expectations that may differ from “the way things have always been” Any possible monetary issues that could arrive Compromises that each family member will have to make Medical Management: An elderly parent is apt to have a litany of doctor appointments, medication, and needs. With the help of medical and geriatric care professionals, assess your parent’s medical needs and gain a clear understanding of how those needs will affect you and your family. Gather all possible medical resources, containing both specific people and organizations, to minimize frustrations as well as possible mistakes. Use your support network to create and implement a plan as well as back-up plans. Moving Day: Moving is stressful under any circumstance. Moving in an aging parent entails a permanent lifestyle change and one that may be met with resistance, which can make it even more difficult. Plan for every detail upfront to minimize the potential strife. Ready yourself for volatile emotions and flaring tempers from all parties. Use your utmost compassion and support when you decide what stays and what goes. The move may not have been a parent’s first choice. Avoid sweeping decisions, such as throwing away Grandma’s 50 year-old collection of National Geographics, without discussing it with her first. Decide ahead of time on furniture placement. Make a disbursement plan for who gets items that cannot fit into your house. (Storage, give away, other siblings.) House Rules: Your parent is used to running the household with his/her own rules. Everyone must openly acknowledge that each family member must compromise to make the new living arrangement successful. It is important to create a plan that is respectful to all parties, so your parent doesn’t feel slighted and uncomfortable as the “newcomer” to your home. You also want to make sure that you and your spouse do not feel like outsiders. Decide on: Chores Who waters the plants and feeds the cat etc. Who helps and who doesn’t help in the kitchen How you like laundry done Bathroom etiquette What you make for dinner and what time When are lights out, and television off David Horgan is an award-winning medical educator, filmmaker and director from Caregivervillage.com who shares his firsthand account of what to do, what not to do, and what can happen (the good and the bad) in his book ,with Shira Block, When Your Parent Moves In. He has been interviewed on this subject by USA Today and ABC News. Horgan has been repeatedly interviewed by NPR, ABC, NBC, CNN, USA Today, New York Times, Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Entertainment Weekly, and other media outlets. Mr. Horgan is also Media Director for Project-13, a non-profit drop out prevention program in Holyoke, Ma that reaches inner-city kids through film and music production as well as practical work experience. www.whenyourparentmovesin.com Printer-friendly version
KARLS’ BAD, REAL BAD FOR THE COUGARS BUT GREAT FOR THE GRIFFINS
Printer-friendly version By David Hurst October 5, 2011 (El Cajon) — College of the Canyons came into Saturday’s game ranked 10th in the Junior College Top 25 Poll. That will no longer be the case as the Grossmont Griffins dismantled the Cougars 38-14. Coach Mike Jordan was pleased with his team’s effort. "That’s the way we are capable of playing. We started out better than last week, last week we started out better than the week before. It’s a natural progerssion; the team is coming together." Quarterback Mike Karls had a big coming out party. He was responsible for all five Grossmont touchdowns (4 pass,1 run) and was an unstoppable run pass threat that overwhelmed the COC defense. Informed last Monday that he was going to be the starter, Karls took full advantage of his opportunity. The 5’11’’ 185 pound sophomore was an efficient 13-for-20 for 194 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. He also rushed for an additional 109 yards on only 11 carries including an electric 29-yard tight roping run down the sidelines that set up his 1-yard rushing score early in the 4th quarter. As the best player on the field Saturday, Karls felt like he may have cemented the starting spot going forward. “I feel like there’s a little bit of breathing room. I give all the credit to my line and my receivers, without them I’m nothing.” The offensive line was outstanding. Karls was only sacked once, and only two tackles for loss were registered for the vaunted COC defense. His ability to escape the rush and extend plays added a dimension to the offense. Besides Karls, Matthew Kass also topped the century mark with 114 yards on 14 carries. For the second week in a row the Griffins ran for over 300 yards finishing with combined totals of 44 carries for 310 yards, a whopping 6.7 yards per carry. Karls spread his 13 completions to 10 different receivers. His four touchdowns went to four different targets. Ruben Lawton led the way with three receptions. Trevor Roe led the receiving corp with 51 yards, a long reception of 38 yards and a touchdown. Tim Patrick, Lavant Moore, and Joshua Bell also scored receiving touchdowns. “He’s (Karls) is getting better on his deep ball. When he gets that down, it’ll be scary,” said Coach Jordan. Karls definitely wasn’t afraid of the 10th ranked Cougars, “I like being the underdog, to beat the 10th ranked team gives us a huge amount of confidence.” Karls then added that after a victory of this magnitude, “teams should be scared of us.” The Griffins’ defense was a frightening sight for COC. With Grossmont leading the whole game the defense was able to pin its ears back and harass COC passers to the tune of five sacks, led by Shane Pennix’s two sacks in the same series. When COC did figure out the Griffins’ defense, they hurt themselves with missed opportunities. The COC opening drive was ended when David Edgerson intercepted a pass in the end zone. COC missed a field goal in the second quarter that would have cut the Grossmont lead to 7. An 80-yard touchdown that would have cut the Grossmont lead to three was called back for holding. Karls and the offense took advantage of those mishaps. Following the endzone interception, the offense marched 80 yards in six plays culminating in Karls’ 25- yard touchdown pass to Bell to give the Griffins a 7-0 lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Karls started the second quarter off with a 13-yard strike to Lamont Moore to make the lead 14-0. After COC answered with a touchdown, Grossmont kicker Andres Carrillo kicked a 34-yard field goal to give the Griffins a 17-7 halftime advantage. In the third quarter after COC cut the lead to 17-14, Karls took advantage of a short field leading the Griffins on a 5-play, 29-yard drive that culminated in an acrobatic 13-yard back shoulder touchdown catch by Tim Patrick. The Griffins never looked back. After Karls’ 1-yard plunge early in the 4th quarter, Grossmont scored its last touchdown when Karls found a wide open Trevor Roe for a 38-yard clinching touchdown. Grossmont is now 2-3 and riding a two game winning streak heading into the bye week. Coach Jordan had to give credit to the player of the game, Mike Karls. “He’s a special player, he’s very dynamic in everything he does.” Hurst is a student in Media Comm 132. He may be contacted at david.hurst@gcsummit.com Reprinted with permission from the GC Summit Printer-friendly version