GASTIL AND VASQUEZ TO HOST WEEKLY MEET AND GREET AT COFFEE SHOP IN LEMON GROVE
September 6, 2012 (Lemon Grove)–Council Member George Gastil and City Council candidate Racquel Vasquez will host a weekly meet and greet at the Lemon Grove Starbucks, 7801 Broadway, starting Saturday, September 8 at 9 a.m. Each one-hour event will provide residents with the opportunity to meet the two San Diego Democratic Party endorsed candidates, ask questions about their individual campaign platforms, and enjoy a free cup of coffee. “We aim to reach out to as many residents and business owners in Lemon Grove as possible, and our local coffee place is a great place to have a conversation,” said Gastil. “We want the voters to get to know us and tell us what they are thinking about our city.” “We both are looking forward to meeting with residents, conversing with them in a casual setting, and learning from each other,” added Vasquez. “Our goal is to establish open dialog with residents, so that we will be ready to hit the ground running after the November election.” Both Vasquez and Gastil are running together to fill the two open seats in the City of Lemon Grove this November. Gastil is seeking his second term on the City Council, while Vasquez, who currently serves as a City of Lemon Grove Planning Commissioner, is seeking her first. The candidate meet and greets will take place on a weekly basis until the November 6 election. Here is a list of the scheduled September meet and greets: Saturday, September 8 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) Saturday, September 15 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) Saturday, September 22 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.) Saturday, September 29 (9 a.m. to 10 a.m.)
ALPINE CHAMBER HOSTS LUNCH WITH REP. HUNTER SEPT. 25
September 6, 2012 (Alpine) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) will be the featured guest at the Alpine Chamber of Commerce luncheon on Tuesday, September 25 from 12-2 p.m. Rep. Hunter will inform Chamber members and guests about current issues in Congress. The event will be held at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. Cost is $20 per person. For reservations, call Kelly at 445-2722 or RSVP to Chamber.Kelly@att.net.
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
September 6, 2012 — (San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: LOCAL/REGIONAL La Mesa-Spring Valley schools face cuts of $12.5 million if tax vote fails (La Mesa Patch) Wages in San Diego not rising fast enough (UT San Diego) La Mesa City Council Candidates (La Mesa Courier) 10 privatization fact checks (Voice of San Diego) 21 homes red-tagged: What to expect from classic Brawley earthquake swarm (NBC) Recruiting allegations haunt Helix, defending state football champions (Mt. Helix Patch.com) STATE California jobs picture brightens (Sacramento Bee) Gov. Brown promotes Prop 30, warns of devastating cuts to education if it fails (Santee Patch) Most tax deals die as GOP stands united (UT San Diego) Self-driving cars approved by California legislature (CNBC) California way behind Germany in solar development (KCET) Three races could tip the balance of power in state Legislature (Sacramento Bee) U.S. Chamber launches ad attacking California budget, economy (Sacramento Bee) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. LOCAL/REGIONAL La Mesa-Spring Valley schools face cuts of $12.5 million if tax vote fails (La Mesa Patch) September 1, 2012 — The La Mesa-Spring Valley School District says it would have to make $12.5 million in budget cuts in the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years if Gov. Jerry Brown’s tax measure doesn’t pass in November. That’s on top of $17 million in cuts approved by the school board in recent years, according to schools Superintendent Brian Marshall. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/la-mesa-spring-valley-schools-face-cuts-of-12-5-million-if-tax-vote-fails Wages in San Diego not rising fast enough (UT San Diego) September 1, 2012 — If you’ve noticed that your paycheck isn’t going as far when it comes to footing the bills and having money left over this Labor Day, you’re probably right. Wages in San Diego County over the past two years have not increased enough to keep up with the cost of living, state data shows. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/01/wages-not-rising-fast-enough/ La Mesa City Council Candidates (La Mesa Courier) August 30, 2012 — This year voters have two La Mesa City Council seats to fill at the Nov. 6 general election. Although incumbent Ruth Sterling is running again for a seat, Dave Allan has decided to hang up his hat, leaving open an opportunity for a brand new councilmember. La Mesa Courier reached out to 2012’s city council candidates to see who is interested in joining local politics. http://scoopsandiego.com/la_mesa_courier/local_news/la-mesa-city-council-candidates/article_4c5edc8a-f209-11e1-a223-0019bb30f31a.html 10 privatization fact checks (Voice of San Diego) August 31, 2012 — We’ve examined a bunch of claims over the years about privatizing government services, and one of the biggest issues has been a bidding process known as managed competition. Government employees are basically pitted against private contractors to see who can efficiently provide public services like trash collection or street sweeping. Proponents say the process saves money while opponents often raise concerns about degrading the quality and oversight of public services. http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/fact/article_3bbba0e0-f3c4-11e1-84c1-001a4bcf887a.html 21 homes red-tagged: What to expect from classic Brawley earthquake swarm (NBC) August 27, 2012 — More activity is likely this week after a cluster of earthquakes that produced shaking from Orange County and San Diego east to Arizona occurred throughout Sunday at the south end of the Salton Sea. “What we’re seeing is a classic Brawley seismic swarm,” said USGS seismologist Lucy Jones. “The area sees lots of events at once, with many close to the largest magnitude, rather than one main shock with several much smaller aftershocks.” http://www.communityassistingrecovery.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=644:21-homes-red-tagged-what-to-expect-from-the-qclassic-brawley-seismic-swarmq&catid=923:headline-news&Itemid=59 Recruiting allegations haunt Helix, defending state football champions (Mt. Helix Patch.com) August 30, 2012 — Ranked the county’s top team in several preseason polls, Helix Charter High School opens its football season Friday night at Eastlake—the lone unit to defeat the Scotties in a magical 2011 run to their first state title. But along with CIF trophies and Player of the Year honors for quarterback Brandon Lewis and teammate Kacy Smith came allegations that Helix coaches used inappropriate practices to build future all-star teams. http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/recruiting-allegations-haunt-helix-defending-state-football-champions?ncid=newsltuspatc00000003 STATE California jobs picture brightens (Sacramento Bee) September 1, 2012 — Labor Day weekend finds the California job market in the strongest shape it’s been in years – but still nowhere near fully recovered from the recession. The state Employment Development Department’s annual Labor Day briefing said California has added 365,000 jobs in the past year. That’s a 2.6 percent growth rate, the best in 11 years and twice the national average, the agency said. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/09/01/4777064/california-jobs-picture-brightens.html Gov. Brown promotes Prop 30, warns of devastating cuts to education if it fails (Santee Patch) August 20, 2012 — Gov. Jerry Brown Monday warned that failure to pass his tax measure in November will result in “devastating cuts” to the state’s education system that will mean “we don’t have a future.” “‘Yes’ will invest in our schools,” Brown said in a campaign speech at San Diego City College on the first day of classes. “ ‘No’ results in devastating cuts.” http://santee.patch.com/articles/gov-brown-promotes-prop-30-warns-of-devastating-cuts-to-education Most tax deals die as GOP stands united (UT San Diego) September 1, 2012 — State lawmakers rejected many — but not all — proposed tax and fee increases as they worked into early Saturday morning to wrap up the session for the year. The Legislature failed to repeal a controversial fire fee on rural residents, blocked a corporate tax hike to pay for middle-class college scholarships and rejected a mandatory mattress recycling program that could have added up to $8 to the price of new beds. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/01/gop-stands-united-most-tax-deals-die/ Self-driving cars approved by California legislature (CNBC) August 31, 2012 — In California, it’s illegal to talk on a cell phone handset while driving your car. The reasoning is pretty simple: with one hand glued to your smartphone, not only are you distracted chatting about what happened on last night’s episode of “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” but you also only have one hand to hold the wheel. But what if you were sitting in your car and didn’t actually have to drive? What if all you had to pay attention to was getting
SYCUAN TO HOST 23rd ANNUAL POW-WOW SEPT. 7-9
August 24, 2012 (El Cajon)—Native Americans from across the nation will convene September 7 -9 at the Sycuan reservation for the 23rd annual Sycuan Pow-wow. More than $125,000 in prize money will be awarded for top participants in bird singing and dancing and a drum/singing contest. Native American arts and crafts will be available for purchase, as well as food. The event, which is free and open to the public, is an opportunity to learn more about Native American culture and heritage. Events open with Kumeyaay bird singing and dancing, gour dancing and a grand entry procession at 8 p.m. on Friday, September 7, followed by a flag ceremony and victory song, inter-tribal dances, and Peon-Kumeyaay hand games at dusk. Additional competitions will be held each day, with final rounds held on Sunday afternoon. The pow-wow grounds are located behind the Sycuan Casino at 5459 Sycuan Road in El Cajon. Bring lawn chairs for comfortable viewing. Alcohol and firearms are prohibited near pow-wow grounds. For a complete schedule of events and directions, visit http://sycuantribe.com/html/pow-wow.html .
ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
September 6, 2012 — (San Diego’s East County) – ECM World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflecting all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include: U.S. GENERAL NEWS The way ahead: U.S. hands of war to Afghan troops (UT San Diego) Sorry savers, interest rates set record lows (ABC News) Federal Reserve audit finds $16 trillion in secret loans (Senator Bernie Sanders, author of amendment requiring the audit) Residents impacted by Isaac return home (CBS News) National Conference of American Indians opposes Dept. of Interior fast-tracking on renewable energy projects near Colorado River Are small businesses being heard this election year? (Entrepreneur) Dumped by home insurance after a disaster? (BankRate.com) VA phone calls won’t solve massive problems (The Reno dispatch) PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Obama’s 2008 promises: kept or broken? (CBS) Democratic convention to make case for 4 more years (BBC) Romney and Ryan fault Obama’s economic maneuvers (Los Angeles Times) Romney on the offensive (CBS) Video: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7420224n&tag=stack Obama: GOP ideas “better for the last century” (Yahoo News) Video: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-gop-ideas-better-last-century-191555406–election.html Obama finds key asset in Bill Clinton’s support (Washington Post) WORLD More than 100,000 Syrians flee in one month (CNN) 7.6 quake in Philippines triggers tsunami alert (CNBC) Syrian rebels hit back at Assad’s air power (Reuters) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. U.S. GENERAL NEWS The way ahead: U.S. hands of war to Afghan troops (UT San Diego) September 1, 2012 — As about half the Marine force in Afghanistan headed home this year, the rapid drawdown in the violent southwest of the country cast the endgame of the war and what many regard as its precarious footing into relief — the handoff to Afghan national security forces. Helmand province, a nexus of the narcotics trade in the heartland of the Taliban insurgency, has borne much of the heaviest fighting of the 11-year war. In recent years this fertile river valley traversing the desert has also been a killing field for a disproportionate number of Marines among coalition deaths nationwide. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/sep/01/way-ahead-marines-hand-war-afghan-troops/ Sorry savers, interest rates set record lows (ABC News) July 16. 2012 — Interest rates hit another all-time low Monday, which is great news for borrowers but keeps savers in the land of no returns. The bellwether 10-year Treasury note yielded 1.46% Monday and went as low as 1.44% in intraday trading. Bond traders push rates down when they think the economy is slowing and inflation is unlikely. Rates on 30-year fixed mortgages closely follow the 10-year T-note yield. On Thursday, the average mortgage rate fell to a record low of 3.56%, according to mortgage giant Freddie Mac. http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=16791504 Federal Reserve audit finds $16 trillion in secret loans (Senator Bernie Sanders, author of amendment requiring the audit) September 6, 2012 — The first top-to-bottom audit of the Federal Reserve uncovered eye-popping new details about how the U.S. provided a whopping $16 trillion in secret loans to bail out American and foreign banks and businesses during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. An amendment by Sen. Bernie Sanders to the Wall Street reform law passed one year ago this week directed the Government Accountability Office to conduct the study. “As a result of this audit, we now know that the Federal Reserve provided more than $16 trillion in total financial assistance to some of the largest financial institutions and corporations in the United States and throughout the world,” said Sanders. “This is a clear case of socialism for the rich and rugged, you’re-on-your-own individualism for everyone else.” http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/news/?id=9e2a4ea8-6e73-4be2-a753-62060dcbb3c3 Residents impacted by Isaac return home (CBS News) September 1, 2012 — Killer storm Isaac is still alive, weakened but pounding the Midwest. Heavy rain hit from Arkansas to Missouri and north toward Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. But in the south, Isaac left a trail of death and destruction: seven dead; more than 400,000 still without power; and insurance claims that could top a billion dollars. Officials in St. Tammany Parish had just ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents living near a canal, an area of about 1,200 homes. They fear that a lock could breach and they’re actually picking up evacuees on the highway there. Meanwhile, in other parts of the state, people are starting to come home. http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57504881/residents-impacted-by-isaac-return-home/?tag=cbsContent;cbsCarousel National Conference of American Indians opposes Dept. of Interior fast-tracking on renewable energy projects near Colorado River 2012 Midyear — WHEREAS, we, the members of the National Congress of American Indians of the United States, invoking the divine blessing of the Creator upon our efforts and purposes, in order to preserve for ourselves and our descendants the inherent sovereign rights of our Indian nations, rights secured under Indian treaties and agreements with the United States, and all other rights and benefits to which we are entitled under the laws and Constitution of the United States, to enlighten the public toward a better understanding of the Indian people, to preserve Indian cultural values, and otherwise promote the health, safety and welfare of the Indian people, do hereby establish and submit the following resolution; and http://www.ncai.org/resources/resolutions/opposing-the-department-of-interior-fast-track-policies-of-renewable-energy-projects-on-ancestral-homelands Are small businesses being heard this election year? (Entrepreneur) August 28, 2012 — President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have talked frequently about small-business owners and entrepreneurs in their stump speeches recently, suggesting they’re in touch with America’s nearly 30 million small enterprises. But, when it comes down to it, how strong of a voice do small businesses really have this election season? According to many business owners and experts, not very. http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/224272?cam=Dev&ctp=Carousel&cdt=13&cdn=224272&utm_source=email&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=237&utm_content=3535 Dumped by home insurance after a disaster? (BankRate.com) If you live in a state that suffers from severe weather such as tornadoes or hurricanes, finding good homeowners insurance is getting more difficult as weather patterns grow more extreme. In the aftermath of weather-related catastrophes, insurers can face a flood of insurance claims and as a result of the expense eventually drop thousands of policies. For example, Alabama-based insurance
“HONKY TONK KINGS” AT THE GRAND LADIES OF THE OLD WEST DANCE SEPTEMBER 8
September 5, 2012 (Lakeside) – The Grand Ladies of the Old West host their annual dance on September 8 at the VFW Hall, Post 5867, 12650 Lindo Lake Lane, Lakeside from 6:00-11:00 p.m. The “Honky Tonk Kings” will provide live entertainment at the event, which also features dancing, raffles, food and drinks. The cost is $15 per person or $25 for a couple. The event will benefit the 2012 donation to “Project Safehouse and Big Sisters League”. For more information visit www.grandladiesoftheoldwest.org.