ART IN THE PARK AT MISSION TRAILS REGIONAL PARK JULY 14
June 15, 2012 (San Diego) – The Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation and the California Art Club present Treasures of the Mission Trails Regional Park Art Exhibit and Benefit on July 14 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at 1 Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego. The event will include fine art, fine wine, cheese and chocolate. Members of the California Art Club have been creating plein-air paintings of Mission Trails for the past several months. The best of these paintings will be available to purchase and the proceeds will benefit both non-profit organizations. Renowned Native American Flute Player Tim Romero will be performing and George Cowles, East County resident circa 1873-1883, will return in character. Tickets are $35 for an individual and $50 per couple and can be purchased at www.stayclassy.org.
MALAMANA, FLAMENCO DELIGHT AT ANDIAMO JUNE 16
June 15, 2012 (San Diego) – Malamana will be performing flamenco at Andiamo Ristorante on June 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m. The prixe fixe menu is $29.95 per person and includes 3 courses. Menu Pear, & Gorgonzola Salad Entrée choice of: Lobster Ravioli & Diver Scallops Brodetto Pollo Carcciofi Filleto ai Porccini Chocolate mousse cannoli Andiamos is located at 5950 Santo Road, San Diego. Call 858-277-3501 for reservations or visit www.Andiamo-Ristorante.com. For more information on Malamana visit www.malamana.com.
DOUBLE FUN FOR DAD: JULIAN BLUES BASH JUNE 16 AND A FATHER’S DAY COUNTRY JAM JUNE 17
June 13, 2012 (Julian)—Music lovers will want to head east to Julian this weekend for a pair of popular events, both at the Menghini Winery. On Saturday, Robb Bower presents the annual Julian Blues Bash, ‘Key to the Highway.’ Then on Sunday, bring Dad and the whole family to the Julian Father’s Day Jam for “All American Country Music" for a day jam-packed with fun. Saturday’s Blues Bash will feature back-to-back winners of Guitar Center’s “King of the Blues” national competitions, including 2011 winner Jonathan Long, 2010 champion Randy Scott, and 2006 finalists Gino Mateo, Brad Wilson, Lil A and the Allnighters, among others. Admission for the Blues Bash costs $25 in advance for adults, $30 day of show; teens $5, kids under 12 free. Also enjoy a barbecue, cold adult beverages, wine tasting and good times. Sunday’s Julian Father’s Day Country Jam runs 12-5 p.m. and will feature the McCoy Brothers, 3 Chord Justice, Cowboys & Indians, and Southbound Jonny. Cost is $15 for adults and kids are admitted free. So Cowboy up for music, dancing, a barbecue, and some tall cold ones. All U.S. servicemen and women will receive discounts upon showing Active Duty or Retired Military ID. Parking is free both days. Folding chairs and small umbrellas are welcome. No pets, outside food, drinks or coolers will be allowed. Additional sponsors include the Julian Chamber of Commerce and KSON. For advance tickets, maps and more information, see http://robb-bowerpresents.com/index.php
WARMER FOR THE WEEKEND, PLUS ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE SD COUNTY FAIR
STATE AND FEDERAL RUN-OFF MATCHUPS FOR NOVEMBER
By Miriam Raftery June 15, 2012 (San Diego) –Who will be squaring off in the November run-off to represent East County and San Diego in Congress and the State Legislature? With all but 7,000 votes counted locally, according to the Registrar, here’s a rundown on these important race–including our assessment of the odds for those vying in the November run-off election: U.S. Senate It was a pack mentality in the California Senate race, with 24 candidates running. Senator Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat, finished first but with 42.63% of the vote—not a strong showing for a long-time incumbent. Still it was far more than second-place finisher Elizabeth Emken, a Republican with 18.53%. Other Republican candidates’ votes totaled about 25%, while other Democratic candidates combined pulled less than 8%, with the rest split among minor party candidates. Still Feinstein has the power of name recognition—and turnout is expected to favor Democrats in November, with the presidential election and several ballot initiatives that will be draws for liberal voters. U.S. House of Representatives 49th Congressional District: Democrat Jerry Tetalman scored 32.47% of the vote, beating out two challengers to go up against incumbent Republican Darrell Issa in this district encompassing the northeast portion of the county. Issa drew 59.07% of the primary votes. But the other two candidates listed no party affiliation, making it difficult to be certain which candidate will pull those candidates’ backers in November. 50th Congressional District: Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter received over two-thirds of the vote (67.62%) in this renumbered district that includes most of East County. Democrat David Secor placed second with 16.82%, besting three challengers including a Republican, a Democrat, and an Independent. Secor faces a steep uphill battle, however, in this heavily Republican district long represented by the Hunter family on Capitol Hill. 51st Congressional District: Democratic State Senator Juan Vargas took a solid 48% of the vote in a seven-candidate field. Republican Michael Crimmins, with 20.73% of the vote, will vie against Vargas in the fall, dashing hopes of former State Senator Denise Ducheny, who drew 14.32%. The district has one of the highest Democratic registration advantages in the state, making Vargas appear all but certain to represent this district in Congress, replacing Bob Filner, who stepped down from Congress to run for Mayor. 52nd Congressional District: Ten days after the June primary, the counting still continues in the 52nd Congressional District. Incumbent Republican Brian Bilbray has 41.13% of the votes. Scott Peters maintains a slim lead over fellow Democrat Lori Saldana; they have 22.64 and 22.08% percent of the vote, respectively. With redistricting, party registration is nearly evenly split, making this a seat Democrats hope to take back from Republicans in November. 53rd Congerssional District: Democratic Congresswoman Susan Davis won the primary handily in a two-candidate race, with 57.67% over Republican Nick Popaditch, who took 42.33%. This district has shifted boundaries with reapportionment, extending eastward to include La Mesa and much of El Cajon. Though Popaditch is a tough fighter, Davis maintains a strong advantage as a popular incumbent. STATE SENATE 39th State Senate District: Assemblyman Marty Block, a Democrat who has focused on education issues, took first place with 46.17%, followed by Republican George Plescia at 42.91%. The remaining 9.91% of the primary vote went to Democrat Patrick Marsh in the primary, giving Block an edge—though not a shoe-in, for victory in November. STATE ASSEMBLY 71st Assembly District: Santee Democrat Patrick Hurley beat out Republican John McLaughlin from Temecula for the opportunity to vie against Republican Assemblyman Brian Jones, also from Santee, in November. Given that the two Republican candidates drew over 69% of the vote collectively, however, the incumbent Jones has a strong edge in this redrawn district, which encompasses most of East County. 75th Assembly District: With an open seat and only two candidates in the primary, Republican Marie Waldron drew more than twice as many votes as Democrat Matthew Herold, at 68.23% and 31.77% respectively. With the number of female legislators down sharply in Sacramento, it appears likely that a San Diego Assemblywoman will be joining their ranks. 76th Assembly District: Oddly for a district that includes coastal areas, no Democrat ran in this district’s primary. Three Republicans vied for spots in the run-off; the winners are Rocky J. Chavez and Sherry Hodges with 38.67% and 32.66% respectively. 77th Assembly District: Republican Nathan Fletcher stepped down from the Assembly to run for mayor (though he lost his primary race). That opens this seat , which had four candidates contending in the primary. Former Councilman brian Mainschein, a Republican, pulled nearly half (47.49%), followed by Democrat Ruben Hernandez (24.22%), who hopes to pick up support from losing candidates’ backers for his moderate stances and platform emphasizing jobs. Inland areas in this district include Tierrasanta, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo and Poway. 78th Assembly District: Democratic incumbent Toni Atkins appears headed for reelection, pulling nearly 60% of the primary voters in a three-person race. Republican Ralph Denny will go up against Atkins in November, after drawing 27.9% of the vote, beating out Robert Williams who had just 12.31%. 79th Assembly District: In this hotly contested five-candidate race, former San Diego Unified School District president Shirley Weber finished first with 30.4%, followed closely by Lemon Grove Councilwoman Mary England with 29.38%. But England, a Republican, will be battling tall odds in November, since the district is heavily Democratic—and Democratic candidates pulled a total of 57% of the vote in the primary. Inland areas in this district include La Mesa, Lemon Grove and City Heights. 80th Assembly District: Democratic incumbent Assemblyman Ben Hueso looks headed for reelection, pulling 61.13% of the vote over Republican Derrick W. Roach at 38.87% in a two-man primary race.
BABY KILLED BY PIT BULL IN LEMON GROVE
June 14, 2012 (Lemon Grove) – Animal Control officers have removed three apparent pit bull dogs from a home in the 3500 block of West Street in Lemon Grove, where an eight-month-old baby boy was attacked late this afternoon. Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the home within four minutes after receiving a call about a dog bite. Paramedics treated the child at the scene and transported him to Children’s hospital, where he died a short time later. ECM news partner 10 News reports that neighbors indicate the dogs have previously killed two cats. Homicide detectives are investigating the child’s death, though no charges have been filed thus far, according to Lt. Larry Nesbitt. The Sheriff’s Crime Lab, Lemon Grove Sheriff’s deputies, and U.S. Border Patrol assigned to Sheriff’s Homicide are assisting in the investigation. The child’s identity has not yet been released, pending examination by the Medical Examiner. If you have information on this case, please call the Homicide Detail at 858-974-2321 or after hours at 858-565-5200. You can also call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-TIPS (8477).