PADRE DAM WEIGHS RATE HIKE: PUBLIC FORUM THURSDAY JULY 26
July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Padre Dam Municipal Water District are considering a rate hike on its 24,000 customers in East County. On Thursday, July 26 at 6 p.m., the District will hold a workshop at its board room (9300 Fanita Parkway in Santee) to explain the proposal and answer questions. A decision on the rate increase will be made at a public hearing on August 15. If approved, the increased rates would take effect November 1, 2012 and show up on customers’ bills starting January 1, 2013. Ironically, the district contends the rate hike is needed due to conservation leading to a 34% loss in water sales, reducing gross revenues by $28 million. The district has cut its workforce by 19%, eliminating 19 jobs and also cut pension and medical benefits, as well as deferring $12.6 in capital improvements, reducing operating expenses and cutting starting salaries. Among residential users, the district proposes five categories based on property size and one category for multi-family dwellings and mobilehome parks. It also wants to eliminate tiers for non-residential (commercial and irrigation) customers and charge a universal rate for water. For details on the rate hike proposed, see: http://www.padredam.org/DocumentCenter/Home/View/393 To protest the rate increase, customers must submit letters to Board Secretary, P.O. Boc 719003, Santee, CA 92072-9003.
WEDNESDAY WEATHER REPORT
Your online weather with Gary Kelley July 25, 2012 (San Diego)– Warm weather is expected with low clouds along the coast today. Later this week, a gradual cooling trend inland will bring relief from high temperatures–but watch for warmer weather on the horizon next week. Here are the latest conditions provided by the National Weather Service for today: Coast: Cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 69. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph. Inland: Cloudy through mid morning, then gradual clearing, with a high near 85. Light and variable wind becoming west 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Mountains: Sunny with a high near 83. West wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Deserts: unny, with a high near 108. West wind around 5 mph becoming light and variable.
WILD NIGHT CAMPOVERS AT LIONS, TIGERS AND BEARS
July 25, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Lions, Tigers and Bears, the nonprofit big-cat rescue facility located just east of Alpine, invites you and your family to come pitch a tent and spend a “Wild Night in the Country” camping out next to big cats. The overnight camps are offered JAugust 3, September 21, and October 26. The “Ruffin’ It Package” asks you to bring your own camping gear, dinner and breakfast; LTB provides s’mores. Member Prices: Adults – $50 Kids (8 to 15 yrs of age) $35 Non-Member Prices: Adults – $60 Kids (8 to 15 yrs of age) $45 These camp overs sell out quickly so call early to reserve your spot at (619) 659-8078. For more information visit www.lionstigersandbears.org
NEW PALOMAR MEDICAL CENTER HOSTS COMMUNITY CELEBRATION SATURDAY, JULY 28
By Caleb Trainer July 25, 2012 (Escondido) – Palomar Health is hosting a “community celebration” on Saturday afternoon at the new, 11-story Palomar Medical Center (PMC) here. The district serves north San Diego County, including inland mountain areas. High above the city, southwest of I-15 and Highway 78, the 288-bed hospital is scheduled to open on August 19th. With the opening of PMC, patients and many of the staff at the former acute care hospital downtown – now called Palomar Health Downtown Campus — will be transferred to the new facility. “This is our grand celebration,” said Gerald Bracht, chief administrative officer of the new medical center. “We want the people who live in the communities that we serve to come and see their new hospital. It’s the only opportunity they’ll have to tour the building and see the areas before they become off-limits to the public,” he said, in a prepared statement. Palomar Health, which claims to be the largest public healthcare district in California, built the 740,000-square-foot hospital with the help of a $496 million bond measure district voters passed in 2004. “Palomar Health has designed a day of celebration to thank the community for supporting the construction of a hospital that was built with the future in mind,” according to Leonel Sanchez, Palomar Health media relations manager. The event is scheduled from 4 to 9 p.m. on Saturday and is free, including food, beverages, tours, technology demonstrations, live music, health screenings and children’s activities. A formal flag raising and ribbon-cutting ceremony is set to begin at 6 p.m. PMC is located at 2185 W. Citracado Parkway, near the western-most city limits. Parking for the celebration will not be at the medical center, except for the disabled. Free parking and shuttle service will be provided from the Palomar Health clinic in San Marcos, the Cal State University San Marcos campus and from several nearby intersections along Andreasen Drive: at West Citracado Parkway, at Enterprise Street and at Auto Park Way. North County Transit will also be servicing PMC via Route 353 from several locations. Additional transit and parking information, along with event details, can be found at www.palomarhealth.org/opening.
DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL! RADIO DAZE III JULY 26
Councilmember Mark Arapostathis volunteers to produce and perform in an annual fundraiser for the La Mesa Arts Alliance. July 25, 2012 (La Mesa) — The annual La Mesa Arts Alliance (LMAA) fundraiser will be a production called “Radio Daze III” on Thursday, July 26 at the La Mesa Community Center. Councilmember Mark Arapostathis who also volunteers to direct the Peter Pan Junior Theater and C. Hook Theater will again volunteer his time to produce and perform in the show. The hour long performance begins at 7:00 p.m. with a reception at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $10 with a no host food and beverage bar and current LMAA members will receive free admission and snacks. LMAA Membership is $25 for an individual or $40 for a family. Included in the performance is Mark’s mother, Elaine Arapostathis, who is a retired La Mesa Spring Valley School District teacher where she taught for 25 years. She has been volunteering with Peter Pan Jr. Theater since 1975 and she is currently the choral director for PPJT & C. Hook Theater. The La Mesa Arts Alliance is a partner of the La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation helping us to bring varied recreational and leisure programs and activities into our community. For more information call 619-667-1300 or send an email to community@ci.la-mesa.ca.us.
EAST COUNTY FIGHTS PROPOSED POWER PLANT; LOCAL SOLAR COMPANY OFFERS SUNNY SOLUTIONS AT FREE PROGRAM AUG. 4 IN SANTEE
Solar Shines Bright To Help San Diego Fight Construction Of Gas Power Plant July 25, 2012 (Santee) – San Diego’s Planning Commission voted last week against rezoning open space near Mission Trails Regional Park to install a gas-fired power plant. But the decision can be appealed at City Council. Residents in Santee and San Diego have voiced strong opposition to the Quail Brush power plant on the site bordering both communities. “We have created the San Diego Solar Program to offer a reliable clean energy solution that benefits our local communities,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “Not only are program participants saving money and helping our region meet our energy demands, they are getting paid to do so.” To help with declaring energy independence, a free San Diego Solar Program informational solar luncheon is being hosted for East County residents on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Santee City Hall, Civic Building #7 (10601 Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071). The one-hour presentation will cover solar technologies, rebates and incentives, and details of the San Diego Solar Program. Call 1-800-SULLIVAN to RSVP or for additional information. Sullivan Solar Power is working to deploy more rooftop solar energy with a localized solar program offering, as part of the solution. “If you look to the 122,000 solar rooftops in California, another solution comes to light,” said founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power, “Residential solar power systems can assist with relieving daily demand stress on the grid by providing clean, renewable energy.” The proposed new natural gas power plant will have a more efficient design than older plants, but opponents of the project note that it is an unwanted structure due to destroying preserved, open space and its heavy polluting capabilities. Community members have voiced concerns about the project not only causing blight to the popular Missions Trail park, but are worried of the noise and pollutants impacting the nearby school and neighborhoods. Sullivan Solar Power, the top residential solar installer in San Diego Gas and Electric’s territory, per California Solar Initiative data, has worked tirelessly to deploy solar power in the region to deter the need of additional power plants in the community. To reward those who commit to a clean energy future, Sullivan Solar Power developed the San Diego Solar Program, a countywide cash-back incentive program which enables residents to get paid to go solar. The program started April 2012, and allows residents to go solar for $0 down and receive a cash payment up to $1500 in its current phase. Incentives provided are greater than the current State rebate program. About Sullivan Solar Power Sullivan Solar Power is a turnkey solar system provider that delivers solar electric projects from concept to completion with offices in Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. The company has installed more than 10 million watts of solar power ranging from residential to large commercial and municipal systems. Sullivan Solar Power has a longstanding A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau, with no complaints filed since its founding in 2004. The firm has been named one of the nation’s fastest growing energy companies by Inc. Magazine and services clients throughout Southern California. Visit sullivansolarpower.com for more information.