HISTORY ALIVE: TALL IN THE SADDLE APRIL 4 IN LEMON GROVE
March 25, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – At the Lemon Grove Historical Society’s next “History Alive” lecture, Garry McClintock, the renowned saddle maker and CEO of McClintock Saddle Works, Descanso, and authority on cowboy history, will explain what makes a great saddle andwhy the cowboy was central to the story of the American West. The event will be held on April 4 at 7 p.m. in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove See McClintock’s gorgeous, hand-crafted saddles and hear why the life and times of the cowboy and his trusty horse became rooted in the American psyche. From the gritty outback, to the open plains, to sprawling ranches, to the silver screen, the often harsh realities of the cowboy’s world became the stuff of myth and legend, song and poetry. The lecture is part of the Lemon Grove Historical Society’s year-long focus on horse culture in Lemon Grove, the famous Mission Rancho Horse Show at St. John of the Cross Church (now “live” in the Parsonage Museum), and the effort to save California’s Heritage Herd. “History Alive” is now in its 35th season and is suitable for ages 13 and over. The series is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. Refreshments will follow the presentation. For more information, call 619-460-4353.
AMERICAN HOME SHOW COMES TO EAST COUNTY APRIL 5-7: FEATURES MADE-IN-AMERICA PRODUCTS
By Miriam Raftery March 21, 2013 (Santee) – American Home Show will present the first-ever Spring Home Show at the Town Center Community Park and Santee Sport Complex in Santee on April 5, 6 and 7 from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. daily. Admission is free. ‘The show inspires homeowners with countless ideas on enhancing their home’s comfort and functionality, as well as being labeled “made in America,” a press release from organizers states. The event will showcase hundreds of home improvement and landscaping exhibits, with product demonstrations . Attractions will also include live entertainment, speakers, an American business mixer, barbecue competition cook-off, gunny sack race, and a kids’ village. Products featured will include remodeling, landscaping, electrical, bath, kitchen, granite, flooring, design, patio, heating and air conditioning, windows, cabinets, masonry, plumbing, lighting and more. For more information, visit www.americanhomeshow.net
WRITE OUT LOUD AND SAN PASQUAL WINERY HOST “THE BIG READ” APRIL 2
Celebrate The Big Read: Imagine a World without Books: Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 March 12, 2013 (La Mesa)–La Mesa’s San Pasqual Winery will be hosting an overview of Bradbury’s celebrated novel, and a dramatic reading of his poignant short story The Love Affair of Laurel and Hardy on Tuesday, April 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room (8364 La Mesa Blvd). The readings will feature La Mesa Vice Mayor Mark Arapostathis, and Write Out Loud co-founders Walter Ritter and Veronica Murphy. Attendees will be invited to Savor the exquisite flavors of San Pasqual Winery’s signature selection of hand-crafted wines while listening to Bradbury’s iconic literary voice come to life. Admission is free. There is a no host wine bar, and seating is limited. La Mesa’s San Pasqual Winery: http://www.sanpasqualwinery.com/ Please RSVP by March 26th to writeoutloud@gmail.com For more information about The Big Read: http://writeoutloudsd.com/
A QUEST FOR UNITY: JOURNEY OF NISHIYUU AND CANADA’S FIRST NATION’S LAND MANAGEMENT REGIME
Editor’s note: This is a victory born in the Idle No More Movement for Native rights, which has spread from Canada to the U.S. ECM recently covered Idle No More speakers in San Diego, including local Kumeyaay members. By Sarah Hales-Ried (reprinted with permission of San Diego Loves Green) http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/a-quest-for-unity-journey-of-nishiyuu-canadas-new-land-management-regime/ March 28, 2013 (Ottaway, Canada)–After over two months and 1600 kilometres (approx. 994 miles) of walking, the journey of Nishiyuu – a Cree word meaning “the people” – reached Cam-nada’s Parliament Hill, in Ottawa, on Monday, March 25. That same day, Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, formally welcomed eight First Nation communities into Canada’s First Nations Land Management regime. Co-incidence? or a recognition that Canada must satisfy some of the growing demands of its aboriginal peoples. The eight new signatories of this new agreement include: Kwantlen First Nation (British Columbia), Lil’wat First Nation – Mount Currie Indian Band (British Columbia), Neskonlith Indian Band (British Columbia), Shxw’ow’hamel First Nation (British Columbia), Brokenhead Ojibway Nation (Manitoba), Algonquins of Pikwakanagan (Ontario), Shawanaga First Nation (Ontario), and George Gordon First Nation (Saskatchewan). These First Nations will develop their own land codes to manage reserve land, resources and environment outside Canada’s Indian Act. The Nishiyuu’s saga was inspired by the hunger strike of Chief Teresa Spence and in support of the Idle No More movement. Six Aboriginal youths and a guide set out to follow their traditional trade route to Ottawa. The group left the from the Cree community of Great Whale (Whapmagoostui First Nation) in Northern Quebec on January 16. Their journey began by snowshoe in temperatures well below freezing. They set out to bring unity to the First Nations people: “This Quest-Journey will establish and unite our historical allies and restore our traditional trade routes with the Algonquin, Mohawk and other First Nations. The time for Unity is now.” (Mission statement from Nishiyuu website http://nishiyuujourney.ca/#!/?page_id=10) This message of unity was inspired by a vision one of the youths, David Kawapit,18, had of a bear and a wolf. ”I saw a bear going up against a wolf, and a bear can easily kill a wolf when it’s alone, but in my vision the wolf called upon his brothers, the other wolves, and together they took down the bear as one.” A message that together they can stand up to the government for indigenous rights and protection of the land. The group visited Aboriginal communities and were joined by other walkers along the way. In the end they had gained a group of over 200 walkers according to the CBC news, many joining for the final stretch, and were welcomed by thousands on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. Among those to join them along the way was 11 year old Abby Masty, who joined to honor Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women. Along with the Idle No More movement, the youths also wanted to bring attention to Aboriginal issues in Canada and the environment. “This land, the earth, the rivers, the winds, the mountains, the clouds and all of the creation, we are the true keepers and will continue to do so until time on earth is over.” Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not meet the youths as he was greeting the two pandas sent from China to begin their ten year stay in Canada. His decision prompted one Member of Parliament to ask just how many more kilometers they would need to walk before the Harper Government listens. However, the youths were able to meet with the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs (photo at top of page) , who is to visit their community in the summer. The youths were given a hero’s welcome, met by crowds of supporters in front of the parliament buildings. The time began with a visit to Victoria Island, not far from Parliament, where Chief Theresa Spence had camped out during her hunger strike.Chief Spence was among the people there to celebrate the journey. Each of the youths were able to address the crowds about their journey. The celebration ended with a huge round dance on the Parliament lawn. Idle No More is a grassroots a movement for indigenous rights and the environment that began in Canada in November and soon spread across the United States and the world, including a group in San Diego. As Whapmagoostui First Nation Chief Stan George said in a Jan.16 press release: “They left as young men to carry the heaviness and emptiness that surrounds us all, but they will return home as Great Men, our Warriors!” (Image Credit: Minister Valcourt met with and listened to priorities of First Nation youth from Northern Quebec, focusing on the shared objective of improving their communities and opportunities.- Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada) For more information on the Idle No More movement see: An article describing the beginnings of the Idle No More Movement (from Amnesty International) http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/idle-no-more-an-indigenous-protest-movement-highlights-deep-rooted-injustices/ The San Diego hook (by Sarah Hales-Reid) : http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/the-global-day-of-action-solidarity-and-resurgence/ End of the fast (by Roy L. Hales) http://www.sandiegolovesgreen.com/articles/the-fast-that-inspired-idle-no-more-is-over/
IF YOU LOVE FLOWERS, YOU’LL ENJOY SWEET PEA DAY ON APRIL 13 AT SUMMERS PAST FARMS
March 28, 2013 (Flinn Springs)–Spend your morning enjoying sweet peas on April 13 from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Summers Past Farms annual “Sweet Pea Days.” The farm is located at 14602 Olde Highway 80 in Flinn Springs. Should you decide to cut your own bouquet, you can do so at $3.00 per bouquet from 11:00 a.m. until the blooms are gone. There will also be live music under the shady pavilion and snacks available at the coffee bar. You can contact the farm for future events such as weddings, or while you’re there, visit the soap shop, view soy candles or learn about raw food and nutrition. Summers Past Farm is a family farm just off historic highway 80 in San Diego’s East County. The farm features fresh herbs, flowers, gardens and a nursery as well as gift shops and more. For more information visit: www.summerspastfarms.com/events.htm
READER’S EDITORIAL: SEQUESTRATION WILL LEAVE SENIORS HUNGRY
4 Million Senior Meals to be Cut Nationwide, 100,000 meals in San Diego Alone By Paul Downey, President/CEO, Senior Community Centers March 28, 2013 (San Diego)–Sometimes I am really glad to live almost 3,000 miles from Washington DC. The latest “raging” chest-thumping, finger-pointing debate is whether President Obama cancelling tours of the White House are politically motivated or a true result of sequestration. This is a bit of Nero fiddling while Rome burned. For me – and more importantly for the low-income seniors served food by Senior Community Centers – sequestration means a cut of 32,000 meals in the coming year. Throughout San Diego County, the number of meals cut will be close to 100,000. Where is the outrage and hyperbole from our elected officials over hungry seniors? What about all the other vulnerable Americans hurt by this self-induced “fiscal cliff” and its devastating consequences? Perhaps it is easier to have mock anger over cancelled tours than to confront the pain caused by the inability to implement lessons most of us learned in pre-school about sharing and compromise. Frankly, I could use some help explaining why the senior nutrition program is being cut when it actually saves tax dollars. There is much documentation that shows feeding seniors nutritionally balanced meals keeps them healthy, independent and significantly reduces healthcare costs. Cutting meals is penny-wise, pound-foolish – something Washington seems to excel at doing. Let me make this real and introduce you to Carol, a former teacher who raised four children as a single Mom. Until the recession in 2008, Carol owned a very successful education-related IT consulting company with offices in five states. The recession hit her hard and she was forced to refinance her home to keep the company afloat. Eventually, it wasn’t enough and Carol found herself homeless, living in her car with her disabled adult daughter in a Walmart parking lot. Fortunately, Carol received some assistance to move into an affordable housing complex. Shortly after, she took a nasty fall and broke both of her shoulders. After recovering for three months in a nursing home, Carol was released to go home. She could not dress herself, take a shower, grocery shop or fix herself a meal. She contacted Senior Community Centers’ Home-Delivered Meals Program, which resulted in a warm and healthy meal delivered to her the very next day. The continuous visits of our delivery drivers and social workers caused a chain reaction on Carol’s floor: other residents came by to ask how they could help and new friendships were formed. Carol also lost 45 pounds with our nutritionally balanced meals and never felt more energized. Today, Carol has healed and has become healthy – and confident to face life once again. Having experienced the difference of good nutrition, Carol told me during a recent visit that Senior Community Centers saved her life. Without our meals and other assistance, Carol would have very likely ended up back in the hospital or living out her life in a skilled nursing facility. Her quality of life would have been poor and the expenses to Medicare and possibly Medi-Cal would have been significant. Carol’s story is just one of thousands at Senior Community Center and millions across the country at other senior centers. Seeing how far Carol has come reinforces why Senior Community Centers and the hundreds of organizations around the U.S. committed to senior nutrition do what they do. Our low-income seniors already struggle everyday, why do these real people need to be hungry because our politicians can’t compromise? Please join the fight against sequestration on senior nutrition. Reach our congressional delegation and U.S. senators by any means necessary. Call, write, email, tweet or post to their Facebook pages. Ask them to support senior nutrition and tell them the livelihood of San Diego seniors is in jeopardy. Your voice and actions will make all of the difference to lend a hand and a heart to seniors who deserve dignity and respect. Click here to easily find your U.S. Congress member and join us in sending them an urgent note today. Paul Downey is the president and CEO of Senior Community Centers, a nonprofit agency dedicated to increasing the quality of life for San Diego seniors living in poverty. Learn more at www.servingseniors.org. The views in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org.
FEDERAL SEQUESTRATION CUTS HIT HARD IN LA MESA; CITY ELIMINATES MOST PUBLIC SERVICES FOR ELDERLY AND YOUNG PEOPLE
March 27, 2013 (La Mesa)—The federal government has slashed Community Development Block Grant funding for La Mesa from $800,000 a few years ago down to just $350,000 this year. As a result, the City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday to completely eliminate funds for all public services funded by CDGB, except for fair housing. The cuts fall largely on programs that help the elderly, poor and disabled. Funds will be axed for the Alzheimer’s Association, East County YMCA Summer Camp, Meals on Wheels of Greater San Diego, San Diego Youth Services, Elder help, Interfaith Shelter Network, Senior Community Centers, and more. Mayor Art Madrid called the elimination of public services a “tough decision” necessitated by federal sequestration cuts. Sequestration mandates cuts across the board in nearly all federal agencies as a result of Congress failing to reach agreement on how to reduce federal debt and resolve the federal budget. Democrats sought a combination of revenue increases and budget cuts, while Republicans have blocked such proposals, holding out for cuts-only solutions. Councilman Ernest Ewin said that his “heart goes out” to those who will be hurt. He faulted the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department for “making a conscienceless, very mechanical decision to cut funds.” City staff placed higher priority on capital improvements at two local parks that have already been committed, as well as pedestrian improvements on Spring Street. Councilwoman Sterling spoke up for sparing Fair Housing from budget cuts, noting that if the reduced CDBG funds are not spend, HUD could ask for 20 percent of the funds to be returned. “We must go with staff’s recommendation to fund these three projects and cut public services, except $27,000 for CSA fair housing,” she concluded.
HEALTH AND SCIENCE HIGHLIGHTS
March 28, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–Health and Science Highlights brings you news on the cutting edges in these fields. On the science front, have earthquakes mastered the secrets pursued by alchemists since the days of legend? The journal Nature Geoscience writes about the ability of earthquakes to vaporize water in faults, depositing gold. Plus beekeepers are suing the EPA– and a new study shows pesticides are affecting bees memories and navigation skills. On the health front, does aspirin reduce cancer risk? A study in the Journal Cancer this week suggests it might. The Community Asthma Initiative at Boston’s Children’s Hospital may provide a model for Medicare and insurance companies to keep costs down while preventing asthma. Speaking of governments involvement in health, this week the New York Superior Court struck down New York City’s soda ban as “arbitrary and capricious,” while the Mayor defiantly promised to challenge the decision. In perhaps the most far reaching health development of the week, a new peer reviewed study lead right here in San Diego indicates that Down Syndrome may be caused by the lack of an important brain protein, SNX27– and may lead to development of therapies that can reverse the syndrome if treatment is started up to as late as puberty. For links to these stories and more, scroll down. HEALTH AND SCIENCE STORIES Aspirin Vs. Melanoma: Study Suggests Headache Pill Prevents Deadly Skin Cancer (NPR) Women who took aspirin at least a couple of times a week for five years or more cut their risk of melanoma by 30 percent. The new study adds to the mounting pile of research suggesting that cheap, common aspirin lowers the risk of many cancers, including colon, breast, esophagus, stomach, prostate, bladder and ovarian cancer. Beekeepers sue EPA to ban pesticide, protect bees (Sacramento Bee) Commercial beekeepers and environmental organizations filed a lawsuit Thursday against federal regulators for not banning the use of two pesticides they say harm honeybees. Study: Pesticides scramble bees’ brains (RawStory) Pesticides used by farmers to protect crops or bee hives can scramble the brain circuits of honeybees, affecting memory and navigation skills needed to find food, scientists said Wednesday.This in turn threatened entire colonies of bees whose pollinating functions are vital for human food production, they wrote in the journal Nature Communications. Judge Invalidates Bloomberg’s Soda Ban (NY Times) The ruling, by Justice Milton Tingling of State Supreme Court, came the day before limits on large sugary drinks was to take effect. To Control Asthma, Start With The Home Instead Of The Child (NPR) ( NPR) — The Community Asthma Initiative has served more than a thousand families over the past seven years. It costs about $2,300 per family — not only for staff time, but also for things like plastic bins, a special mattress and pillow covers, and the vacuum cleaner that filters out fine dust. It’s not cheap — and it’s not something hospitals typically do. But just a few visits over a year’s time make a demonstrable difference. “For every dollar spent,” Elizabeth Woods tells Shots, “you save $1.46 for hospitalizations and emergency room visits.” The program’s performance was detailed in a report published last year by the journal Pediatrics. “There’s a 56 percent reduction in patients with any emergency room visits,” Woods adds, “and an 80 percent reduction in patients with any hospitalizations.” And that doesn’t include the savings from lower use of medications, or the cost of time off work for parents caring for a sick child. Backyard Chickens: Cute, Trendy Spreaders Of Salmonella (NPR) (NPR) — Backyard chickens have become a hot trend, loved as a source of healthy local food and fluffy wonderfulness. But backyard birds have also sparked outbreaks of salmonella, the CDC warns. Down syndrome’s molecular cause found, therapy may be possible Lack of brain protein causes mental disability, study finds. Moreover, the study points the way to a possible therapy to improve brain function in children with the genetic abnormality. No such therapy now exists… . “It’s hard to say in humans (how much brain function can be repaired), but in those particular mice, the mouse model of Down syndrome, we were able to pretty much rescue all the pathology,” according to cognitive tests given to the rodents, Xu said… If the mouse model is a good guide, such therapy should work in children almost up until puberty. Health Insurers Warn on Premiums (Wall Street Journal) Health insurers are privately warning brokers that premiums for many individuals and small businesses could increase sharply next year because of the health-care overhaul law, with the nation’s biggest firm projecting that rates could more than double for some consumers buying their own plans. Spring Break Alert: ‘Black’ Henna Tattoos May Not Be Safe (NPR) A henna tattoo looks like a fun beach souvenir — until you break out in a rash and blisters.The dyes used for the popular temporary tattoos aren’t always natural or safe, the Food and Drug Administration warned today. “Black henna” used to make the intricate designs darker often doesn’t come from a plant, but from a harsh chemical that causes allergic reactions. The bad actor is p-phenylenediamine (PPD), a chemical derived from coal tar that can cause skin allergies. Did Congress Just Give GMOs A Free Pass In The Courts? (NPR) Congress on Thursday approved stopgap funding legislation that includes language explicitly granting the USDA authority to override a judge’s ruling against genetically modified crops. Critics denounce the measure as the “Monsanto Protection Act.” But it seems to be codifying powers the USDA already has exercised in the past. Earthquake gold: Earthquake movements turn water into gold (CS Monitor) Earthquake gold: Water in faults vaporizes during an earthquake, depositing gold, according to a model published in the March 17 issue of the journal Nature Geoscience.
WORLD WATCH: NATIONAL AND GLOBAL NEWS HEADLINES
March 28, 2013 (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 reflect 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. Federal government takes on domestic drone legislation (Marketplace Tech) 5 possible outcomes of the Supreme Court Prop 8 case (CBS) Former Bush Aide Pushes ‘Conservative Case’ For Gay Marriage (NPR) Automakers pitch in to help Detroit as state takeover begins (Reuters) Grocers reject genetically modified salmon (Voice of San Diego) Reinflating the Housing Bubble: Department of Agriculture Edition (Reason) WORLD North Korea calls Hawaii and U.S. mainland targets (New York Times) US to ramp up its anti-missile defenses following North Korean threats (Christian Science Monitor) U.S. Pledges $200 Million To Jordan To Aid With Syrian Refugees (NPR) VIDEO: Iraq doctors report birth defect rise (BBC) West Bank hosts Obama, Gaza sends rockets (CS Monitor) Iran will destroy Israeli cities if attacked: Khamenei (Reuters) Europe’s Central Bank Issues Cyprus Ultimatum (NPR) Mursi warning stirs fears in Egypt opposition (Reuters) Scroll down for excerpts and full stories. U.S. Federal government takes on domestic drone legislation (Marketplace Tech) This week, the Senate Judiciary Committee has been looking into the use of drones in America and how they might affect privacy. The federal government is working on new rules that could expand permits for drones in the coming years. 5 possible outcomes of the Supreme Court Prop 8 case (CBS) The Supreme Court has the opportunity to issue a landmark ruling this year as it considers the constitutionality of Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage. It could define same-sex marriage as a constitutionally-protected right, or it could uphold the ban, setting back the gay rights movement for years. The case, however, isn’t as simple as deciding whether or not same-sex couples have a right to get married. After the Supreme Court today hears the oral arguments in the case Hollingsworth v. Perry, it has five options to choose from. Below is a rundown of the court’s choices — whether to protect the right to same-sex marriage in 50 states, zero states, nine states or one state. There’s one last option — to punt on the decision and dismiss the case. Former Bush Aide Pushes ‘Conservative Case’ For Gay Marriage (NPR) (NPR) — Ken Mehlman, the political director for the George W. Bush White House, compares the right to marry to other fundamental rights conservatives embrace. He rounded up a group of 131 prominent Republicans to sign a legal brief that’s at odds with the House GOP leadership and the party’s platform. Automakers pitch in to help Detroit as state takeover begins (Reuters) U.S. automakers joined other Michigan businesses on Monday in donating $8 million for new ambulances and police cars to Detroit as state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr took over running the destitute city. Grocers reject genetically modified salmon (Voice of San Diego) Last week I told you about a move by Whole Foods to label all products within their stores that contain genetically engineered ingredients. On Wednesday, a group of grocers, including Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s (both chains have multiple locations here in San Diego), took the fight over GMOs a step further, announcing they would not carry genetically modified seafood. Reinflating the Housing Bubble: Department of Agriculture Edition (Reason) Established in 1949, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Rural Housing Guaranteed Loan program is meant to provide home loans to folks of modest means in rural areas. But, according to a recent Reuters investigation, the USDA isn’t hewing to either the rural or the modest part of its mandate. WORLD North Korea calls Hawaii and U.S. mainland targets (New York Times) North Korea’s military said it put all its missile and artillery units on “the highest alert” on Tuesday, ordering them to be ready to hit South Korea, as well as the United States and its military installations in Hawaii and Guam. …North Korea said on Tuesday that all of its strategic rocket and long-range artillery units “are assigned to strike bases of the U.S. imperialist aggressor troops in the U.S. mainland and on Hawaii and Guam and other operational zones in the Pacific as well as all the enemy targets in South Korea and its vicinity.” US to ramp up its anti-missile defenses following North Korean threats (Christian Science Monitor) That system, 30 anti-missile missiles based in Alaska (26) and California (4), is to be increased to 44 defense missiles in the coming years. U.S. Pledges $200 Million To Jordan To Aid With Syrian Refugees (NPR) President Obama pledged $200 million in additional U.S. aid for Jordan on Friday to help in caring for a flood of refugees from the civil war in neighboring Syria. The pledge came as Obama met with Jordan’s King Abdullah II on the next-to-last day of the president’s Middle East tour. VIDEO: Iraq doctors report birth defect rise (BBC) Doctors at the Basra maternity hospital in Iraq have told the BBC that they have seen a 60% rise in birth defects since 2003. / Dr Muhsin Sabbak from the hospital is convinced that the rise in defects, such as spina bifida, is because of munitions from the Iraq war. West Bank hosts Obama, Gaza sends rockets (CS Monitor) The day President Obama held a press conference with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Gaza fired two rockets into southern Israel, starkly illustrating Palestinians’ internal divides. Iran will destroy Israeli cities if attacked: Khamenei (Reuters) (Reuters) – Iran’s clerical supreme leader said on Thursday the Islamic Republic would destroy the Israeli cities of Tel Aviv and Haifa if it came under attack from the Jewish state. Europe’s Central Bank Issues Cyprus Ultimatum (NPR) The central bank says it will cut off a financial lifeline in four days if Cypriot lawmakers can’t agree on a deal
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
March 28, 2013 (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 History takes a beating with sale of Warner Springs Ranch (U-T San Diego) SD seeks controversial `drone zone’ (U-T San Diego) A Decade After War’s Start, Iraqi Refugees Are Transforming (El Cajon) A California Town (KPBS) Utilities seek $769M from customers for faulty nuclear equipment (U-T San Diego) RUSD school board supports possible temporary County loan (Ramona Patch) Boss at ailing Calif. nuke plant made $2M in 2012 (Sacramento Bee) Put neighborhood solar power to good use (U-T San Diego) Northrop Grumman lands $433.5 million contract (KPBS) San Diego County Schools Get Meningitis Warning (KPBS) Coach’s youngest daughters released from hospital (UT San Diego) Craigslist job scam lures people to Mexico (UT San Diego) Water officials got raises amid rate hikes ( U-T San Diego) STATE Judge’s Ruling On Officials’ Private Emails, Texts Could Be Far-Reaching (KPBS) Controversial rural fire fee bills will be delayed (Sacramento Bee) Water price, availability in question ( U-T San Diego) Former city officials in Bell, California convicted in corruption trial (Reuters) Scroll down for excerpts and full stories. LOCAL/REGIONAL History takes a beating with sale of Warner Springs Ranch (U-T San Diego) 110 years after Indians were forced from land, their bid to buy is rejected. …If poetic justice is to be served, Pacific Hospitality Group, which recently bought Warner Springs Ranch at auction, will back out of the deal before escrow closes April 30. Then the property will be awarded to the rightful owner (who just happens to be offering the most money). SD seeks controversial `drone zone’ (U-T San Diego) Southern California might become one of the few areas in the country where industry, business, and government could broadly fly unmanned aerial vehicles over land, an idea that rankles the American Civil Liberties Union, which says such flights could lead to spying on the public. A coalition led by the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC) and the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is asking the Federal Aviation Administration to declare a large area of Southern California as a test range for pilotless aircraft. The FAA plans to create six test zones in the U.S. in an effort to integrate drones into domestic airspace. A Decade After War’s Start, Iraqi Refugees Are Transforming (El Cajon) A California Town (KPBS) The Iraq War has been officially over for nearly a year and a half. But refugees from the conflict are still being admitted to the United States by the thousands, and many of those continue to settle in the city of El Cajon, east of San Diego. Utilities seek $769M from customers for faulty nuclear equipment (U-T San Diego) Responding to an order of the California Public Utilities Commission, plant operator Southern California Edison submitted its application for cost recovery Friday evening, though it and minority plant owner San Diego Gas & Electric already have been billing customers on a provisional basis for the generators. RUSD school board supports possible temporary County loan (Ramona Patch) The school board unanimously approved of a potential borrowing of monies from the San Diego County Treasurer—”half a million, million tops”—to ensure the Ramona Unified School District can pay its June 30 payroll. Boss at ailing Calif. nuke plant made $2M in 2012 (Sacramento Bee) The top executive overseeing the troubled San Onofre nuclear power plant on the California coast received compensation valued at nearly $2 million last year, according to a regulatory filing released Friday. / The seaside reactors between San Diego and Los Angeles haven’t produced electricity since January 2012, when a tiny radiation leak led to the discovery of damage to hundreds of tubes that carry radioactive water. Put neighborhood solar power to good use (U-T San Diego) What if you had a choice of getting electricity that is generated in your own neighborhood or you could order the electricity from a monopoly whose profits depend on building more and more generating plants and transmission facilities? What if the electricity you and your neighbors generated was located on existing roof tops and parking lots in your neighborhood and didn’t require covering any more open space or agricultural lands in San Diego County? And what if these rooftop and parking lot power plants didn’t use any fossil fuels? Sounds too good to be true. There must be a catch. In fact, it is not too good to be true. Northrop Grumman lands $433.5 million contract (KPBS) Northrop Grumman’s San Diego division has won an estimated $433.5 million government contract to provide contractor logistics support for RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicles. Northrop Grumman will supply ground crew operation support to the Air Force for the entire fleet of the UAVs, commonly referred to in the media as drones. San Diego County Schools Get Meningitis Warning (KPBS) San Diego County schools are being urged to watch out for signs of meningitis following an outbreak in nearby Tijuana, Mexico that’s killed six people. /U-T San Diego says county health officials are urging 42 school districts to educate staff and parents about the warning signs and an available vaccine. They’ve also been directed to discourage students from sharing food or lip balm that can transmit the disease. Coach’s youngest daughters released from hospital (UT San Diego) Jayden and Logan Cunningham, the youngest daughters of Cathedral Catholic High School coach Will Cunningham, were released Tuesday from Rady Children’s Hospital, a hospital spokesman said. Doctors are pleased with the progress Jayden, 12, and Logan, 10, are making, Cathedral spokeswoman Kimberly King said in a statement. Cunningham’s wife, Alisa, and daughter Taylor, 17, a senior at Cathedral, continue to recover at Sharp Memorial Hospital. The family members were injured March 17 when their minivan was struck by a wrong-way driver on state Route 52 near Santo Road. Craigslist job scam lures people to Mexico (UT San Diego) A college student from La Costa almost became