ALL ABOARD! VINTAGE TRAIN RIDES EACH WEEKEND IN JANUARY
January 14, 2013 (Campo)–All aboard! Vintage Train Rides and museum tours are offered each weekend in January at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, Campo, one of the “eight great” railroad museums in California. Ride the museum’s “Golden State” excursion train to Tunnel 4 and the Lower Campo Creek Bridge at 11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m. each day. Reservations not required, however reservations are required to ride with the engineer. You can also visit the gift store. Parking is free. For details, see: http://www.psrm.org
PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO RAISE DEBT CEILING
By Miriam Raftery January 14, 2013 (Washington D.C. ) – In a press conference today President Barack Obama today urged Congress to raise the debt ceiling and made clear that his position is non-negotiable. (View video and read transcript.) Republican House members have balked thus far. Speaker John Boehner said, “The American people do not support raising the debt ceiling without reducing government spending at the same time.” (View full statement.) The President called that position “irresponsible” and made clear that raising the debt ceiling does not increase spending, but instead authorizes the nation to pay its bills already incurred by Congress. He likened House Republicans’ stance to refusing to pay a restaurant bill after the food has been eaten, adding, “We are not a nation of deadbeats.” Obama called for bipartisan compromise to reduce debt in a responsible way but urged Congress not to hold the nation “hostage” over the debt ceiling. If Congress fails to act by the time the debt ceiling is reached as early as mid-February, the Treasury Department would be unable to borrow money to cover existing debts, which means checks could not be issued to a wide range of recipients including Social Security beneficiaries and U.S. military troops. Failure to raise the debt ceiling could jeopardize the nation’s credit rating and have negative impacts on financial markets worldwide, financial experts have indicated. Michael Feroli, chief economist at JP Morgan, told the Washington Post that if the U.S. missed a payment to bondholders, the impact would be the “financial market equivalent of that Hieronymus Bosch painting of hell.”
POWAY CHAMBER LAUNCHES “BUSINESS OVER BREAKFAST” SERIES
Setting Strategic Goals in 2013 January 14, 2013 (Poway)–The Poway Chamber of Commerce with San Diego Gas & Electric will launch its first “Business Over Breakfast” seminar of the year. This event will be held at The Broken Yolk Café, located at 11630 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, CA 92128 on Friday, January 25, 2013. Networking and registration will begin at 7:30 a.m., followed by the program at 8:00 a.m. SDG&E will introduce “Smart Energy Solutions” to help businesses manage energy more efficiently. Attendees can receive complimentary admission to the breakfast meeting and seminar when they fill out a short online questionnaire. For more information on how to register, log onto www.poway.com. Regular admission is $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Breakfast is included with admission. Executive Coach and professor, Jeffrey Klubeck, M.A. will provide participants a “crash course” on S.M.A.A.R.T. goal setting that is guaranteed to help you produce greater results in your business in 2013! Step by step, you will learn how to set realistic and S.M.A.A.R.T goals giving you a competitive edge that will make it impossible not to pursue the life or business you really want! Please contact Membership Services Coordinator, Buu Huynh, at (858)748-0016 or buu@poway.com for questions regarding the event. Visit www.poway.com to submit RSVPs.
MAN TRIES TO KILL WIFE, TURNS ASSAULT WEAPON ON SELF
January 14, 2013 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police officers responded to a call at 10700 Esmeraldas Drive in Tierrasasnta, where a witness reported a gunshot. After learning that the suspect owned multiple firearms, officers surrounded the house. Moments later, the suspect exit the rare of the home, armed with an assault-style rifle. Officers ordered him several times to drop the weapon. “Officers showed superior restraint as the suspect refused to comply,” said Sergeant E.J. Dayrit. “Eventually the suspect turned the weapon upon himself and fired, in an attempt to kill himself.” The suspect inflicted wounds to his face and head area. Inside, police found the suspect’s wife, 50. She was bruised, battered, and strangled. Both husband and wife were transported to a hospital emergency rooms; their injuries are considered non-life threatening. More weapons were found inside the home during the investigation and the suspect faces numerous charges. SDPD’s Domestic Violence Unit is investigating. Anyone with information related to the above incident(s) is encouraged to call the listed Command handling the investigation or Crime Stoppers at 888-540-8477.
GUN FIGHT IN WASHINGTON: NRA AIMS TO DO BATTLE WITH GUN CONTROL ADVOCATES
By Miriam Raftery January 13, 2013 (Washington D.C.)—Vice President Joe Biden will meet today with representatives of Congress to discuss his task force’s proposals for reducing gun violence in the wake of the Sandy Hook elementary school massacre. Options may range from limiting access to assault weapons to improving diagnosis and treatment of the mentally ill. One intriguing possibility for the future is the use of “smart gun” technology. “A lot could change if, for example, every gun purchased could only be fired by the person who purchased it,” Biden said Friday. “The technology exists, but it’s extremely expensive.” Smart gun technology reads fingerprints of whoever tries to fire the weapon. Another interesting technology by ShotSpotter uses acoustic sensors to pinpoint the location of gunfire, potentially enabling police to respond much faster. The National Rifle Association (NRA) has vowed to fight any effort to restrict ownership of guns, arguing that gun ownership is protected under the Second Amendment of the Constitution. The NRA has argued for armed guards on education campuses. An armed police officer at Granite Hills High School did stop a shooter from killing anyone—but not before he wounded several people. Armed security guards are also costly in an era of education spending cuts across the nation. Since 1982, the U.S. has had at least 61 mass murders with firearms. Mother Jones magazine has tracked those shooting sprees and found that in the majority, killers obtained their weapons legally. The U.S. had 15 of the 25 worst mass shootings in the past 50 years worldwide. Moreover the rate appears to be accelerating; 11 of the deadliest shootings in our nation’s nearly 247-year history have happened in the past five years. States with stricter gun control laws have fewer gun-related deaths. Those restrictions include bans on assault weapons, trigger lock mandates, and requirements for safe gun storage. Despite these facts, the majority of Americans oppose gun control laws, according to repeated Gallup polls. With Republicans in charge of Congress, any effort to enact gun control legislation is apt to meet with stiff resistance. Another area of concern is the proliferation of psychiatric drugs, some of which can cause homicidal and suicidal tendencies. At least 11 school shooters were under the influence of psychiatric drugs—including the Columbine High School killings and locally, the Granite Hills High School shootings. There may be more, but medical privacy laws prohibit the public from knowing the medical histories of most suspects, unless drug usage is revealed as evidence in court or voluntarily by family members. In addition, since the Reagan-era shut down of mental health inpatient facilities, even families who seek out help for potentially violent individuals often find very limited options; often the answer parents seeking help for emotionally troubled teens is to call the police.
HIGH WIND WARNING
January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning for our region. Strong and gusty north to northeasterly winds will develop over inland and coastal water areas Monday through Tuesday. Damaging winds gusts of 60 miles per hour or more will be possible through and below wind prone canyons and passes. Frost and freeze warnings remain in effect for portions of the mountains and deserts tonight, though temperatures are expected to begin warming on Tuesday and Wednesday. Gusts around 30 knotts over coastal waters will make boating hazardous for small craft. These winds will diminish early Tuesday morning over the coastal waters, and late Tuesday into Wednesday over land.
84% OF FISH HAVE MERCURY CONTAMINATION, NEW STUDY FINDS; UNITED NATIONS SEEKS TREATY TO REDUCE MERCURY POISONING
By Miriam Raftery January 13, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – A shocking new study released January 8 by the Biodiversity Research Institute finds that 84% of fish worldwide are contaminated with mercury. This week, the United Nations begins negotiations in Geneva on an international mercury treaty aimed at curbing the contamination. Contamination findings were so high that based on health guidelines, only one fish per month should be eaten in the U.S. In Japan and Uruguay, where levels were highest, no fish should be consumed. In Japan, fish has traditionally been a dietary staple. Mercury, a highly toxic heavy metal linked to neurological damage in humans, can enter the environment and the human body from several sources. including coal-fired power plants, gold mining, and other industrial operations. A separate United Nations report finds communities in developing countries face additional risks of mercury contamination due to heavy use of the chemical in gold mining and coal burning facilities found in those nations. “Mercury, which exists in various forms, remains a major global, regional and national challenge in terms of threats to human health and the environment,” UNEP’s Executive Director, Achim Steiner, said in a news release on the studies. Learn more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-18563_162-57563739/study-finds-unsafe-mercury-levels-in-84-percent-of-all-fish/ http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=43897 http://www.briloon.org/research/research-centers/hgcenter/hgcenter-pub/gmh-media-library
MAN DIES IN PINE VALLEY MOBILEHOME FIRE
Cal Fire and East County Magazine offer heating safety reminders for cold weather January 13, 2013 (Pine Valley) – Firefighters battling a blaze at a mobilehome park in the 27500 block of Old Highway 80 in Pine Valley last night discovered a man’s body inside after extinguishing the blaze. Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson detectives have ruled out foul play. Cal Fire spokesman Mike Mohler told ECM that investigators are looking at several potential causes, including the possibility that the victim may have perished due to an old or improperly used heating device in last night’s sub-freezing temperatures. Here are important safety tips to stay warm and safe during cold weather: If you use a floor heater, be sure it’s a newer model that will shut off automatically if it tips over. Never run a floor heater if you’re not home and always turn it off before you go to bed. Keep flammable items such as papers and draperies away from the floor heater. Check the minimum distances on all sides for your unit. Be sure flammable items are not close enough to fall onto the heater. Check for frayed cords and do not use if the cord is frayed. Don’t overload circuits or sockets; a portable heater should not be plugged into a socket with other items. Never use a device intended for outdoors (such as a barbecue or propane stove) indoors due to danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Install a carbon monoxide detector on every level of your home, especially near bedrooms. For fireplaces, use a screen to keep children and pets away and prevent embers from blowing into the room. Have your chimney cleaned and inspected regularly. A clogged flu could release smoke inside your home; a cracked flu could allow sparks to escape into an attic, causing a fire. When lighting a fireplace, use long fireplace matches. If you use a gas log lighter, be sure to turn it off to prevent carbon monoxide from escaping. Remove dead leaves, pine needles and tree limbs form your roof, especially near chimneys. Use a spark arrester atop your chimney to keep burning embers from escaping. Have SDG&E do a free inspection of your furnace each fall before turning it on.
LA MESANS CELEBRATE IN STYLE AT PARTY OF THE CENTURY
By Miriam Raftery January 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – Capping off a year of centennial celebrations, La Mesa hosted its “Party of the Century” last night. Held at the La Mesa Community Center, the event featured music through the decades and areas decorated to reflect the many colorful eras in La Mesa’s past. Dignitaries past and present turned out. Many guests came in period attire, adding to the festive mood at this memorable occasion. “This is the party of the century,” Mayor Art Madrid, dressed in cowboy attire, declared. “It’s been two years in the planning.” He praised the efforts of all who helped create the event coordinated by co-chairs Linda Horrell and JoAnn Knutson. Getting into the spirit of the occasion, Horrell and her dapperly attired husband, Steve, came dressed in early 1900s garb. Knutson chose ‘60s attire. Madrid delivered his remarks in a tent set up outside the community member, where Legacy sponsors sipped wine provided by San Pasqual Winery and check out prizes. Congresswoman Susan Davis attended, wearing a suffragist costume emblazoned with a “We want the vote” banner. Other dignitaries present included members of the La Mesa City Council and former La Mesa Mayor George Bailey, now 91. Chancellor Cindy Miles with the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College district was there, along with members from the Grossmont Healthcare District board and other local elected bodies. Tribal representatives also turned out and local Native American tribes helped to sponsor the event, including Viejas, Barona and Sycuan. “I’ve lived in La Mesa since 1962,” said Lee Knutson, a retired city attorney. La Mesa’s Police Chief Ed Aceves was also on hand. So was Mary England, president of the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, and many local business leaders, merchants and their families. Gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn struck a vampish pose in her flapper dress, while Christmas in the Village chairman John Vigil wore a collection of commemorative pins For many attendees, the event brought back fond memories. El Cajon Councilman Bob McClellan, whose father founded McClellan Buick in La Mesa recalled, “I remember back in the ‘40s, our father used to serve Tom and Jerry’s ice cream on the sidewalk on Palm Avenue.” Johnny Orkutt and Geralyn Orkutt from the San Diego Swing Cats, dressed in roaring ‘20s attire, did some dazzling moves on the dance floor along with Judy Bishop and Doug Nolff who showed off steps ranging from ‘50s swing to disco dancing. View dance videos: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEjo776I5nQ and http://www.youtube.com/my_videos_edit?video_id=ol7hOTOcMSo&ns=1. Gary Burt crooned Frank Sinatra tunes to greet visitors outside. Indoors, musical groups played everything from classic rock to big band. Some reminisced about bygone eras, here and in places far away. In a room decorated to evoke the ambience of a World War II bunker, World War II veteran Robert Yanea reminisced about his service with the 7th Division, 31st infantry at Okinawa on April 5, 1945. Marines had cleared the beaches, but his division came under fire from snipers strapped onto palm trees, he recalled. “It took us 32 days,” he said of the battle. “We found a tunnel a mile long; in there they had a hospital and officers’ quarters….I was just 19 years old.” He suffered shrapnel injuries and later caught malaria in the Philippines, where he was packed in ice to reduce a fever of 106. Chelle Yale and Maryann Aleavelle from the La Mesa Women’s Club came dressed in vintage aviators’ garb from family members, pausing to pose outside a vintage car at the event’s entry. “I’ve lived in LA mesa and loved it here my whole life,” Aleavelle said. Beth Morgante, Grossmont Hospital Foundation, came clad in ‘60s peacenik attire. “I’m a hippie from way back,” she quipped. Carole Wilson, chair of the board of trustees at the Central Congregational Church in La Mesa, wore her mother’s vintage dress circa the 1930s-40s era. Her husband, Jay Wilson, head of the Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation, joined her at the soiree. Bill and Donna Shaw manned a photo area where guests posed for pictures in front a historic photo of La Mesa. Guests also took home souvenir centennial wine glasses and had opportunities to buy tickets for prize drawings ranging from vintage signs and costumes to sports memorabilia and a Barona resort vacation. The celebration caps off a year of centennial activities that has included showings of silent movies filmed locally, an exhibit of historical photos in several locations, a roll-out celebration at the Trolley station, and a Helix-Grossmont football game with players wearing retro jerseys. Funds from the event will benefit La Mesa’s Legacy project, to be installed at the intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and Alison Avenue. The winning entry in the competition will feature the centennial logo, mosaic tiles and a playful sculpture of a European snail species discovered her in 1872, Helix aspersa, for which Mount Helix was named. A prototype was unveiled at last night’s event. Names of those who contributed to the Legacy project will also be displayed for prosperity and a time capsule will be buried for future generations of La Mesa residents to reveal.