GOLDEN ARTISTRY TO HOST 6TH ANNUAL COMPETITION AWARDS NIGHT AND ARTS BENEFIT MAY 2
By Nicolee Hill April 1, 2014 April 15, 2014 (La Mesa)– Master Goldsmith and Jewelry Designer, Terry Whyte of Golden Artistry Jewelry Design is hosting this annual competition to be held in conjunction with Golden Artistry’s 30th anniversary. The event will be held on May 2, 2014 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M. at the La Mesa Woman’s Club, 5220 Wilson, La Mesa , CA 91942. Numerous local vendors and restaurants will be donating gifts and services to be raffled off. In addition, Terry Whyte will auction off one of his original pieces of jewelry and the Grand Prize winning design. All proceeds will go to the Golden Artistry Foundation which will disperse funds to local schools’ jewelry programs and to the internships at Golden Artistry. Members of the community are encouraged to participate in this event. Mr. Whyte has a wealth of knowledge accumulated in his 40 years in the jewelry industry. Seeing the need for cultivating creativity and educating students in East San Diego County, he decided to host the competition annually since the inaugural event in 2009 was so successful. Students in the Grossmont Union High School District were invited to submit their jewelry design entries with the theme for this year’s competition – “Reflections”. All finalists will be invited to intern at Golden Artistry, receive a cash prize from Friends of East Co. Arts, Inc., and an award from Mr. Whyte. The jewelry internship program was started by Mr. Whyte who desires to pass along his knowledge, expertise and business savvy to his interns in an effort to prepare them for careers in artistic fields. In addition, the Grand Prize winner will receive their design realized as a finished piece of jewelry manufactured by Mr. Whyte. Please come out and vote for your favorite design the night of the competition. The Communities’ Choice Award and a cash prize will be given to the student with the most votes. Make a difference and show your support by attending the event. Golden Artistry is located at 8346 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa CA 91942 To learn more about how you can get involved, please contact: marjorie@goldenartistry.com or call (619) 589-7454
CPUC REQUIRES SDG&E TO REPAIR FENCING AT SUBSTATION
April 14, 2014 (Boulevard) – In response to a complaint filed by Donna Tisdale, the California Public Utilities Commission has instructed San Diego Gas & Electric Company to make repairs to a torn, flapping construction fence at the Boulevard substation site along state scenic highway 94. “Please let your readers know that they can and should contact the CPUC when they see something that is not right during construction of the massive ECO Substation and other projects,” Tisdale told ECM.
SAN DIEGO COUNTY SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION RECOGNIZES PALA BAND OF MISSION INDIANS CHAIRMAN ROBERT SMITH AS COMMUNITY PARTNER OF THE YEAR
April 15, 2014 (Pala)–The Pala Band of Mission Indians announced today that Tribal Chairman Robert Smith will be recognized as Community Partner of the Year by the San Diego County School Boards Association at an awards ceremony on May 2. Chairman Smith was nominated for the award by Bonsall Union School District Superintendent Justin Cunningham. The award is given each year to an individual or organization in San Diego County that demonstrates exemplary support for local schools. Cunningham wrote in his letter, “A visionary, innovative, yet wise leader, Chairman Smith has advocated for the needs of all students in a variety of ways . . . From facilities, transportation, technology, instructional resources, to personnel and health services, Chairman Smith has led the Pala Band of Mission Indians to become recognized as a ‘Strength’ to be counted on.” Last year alone the Pala Band of Mission Indians contributed over $270,000 to support various programs in the Bonsall Union School District. The Tribe has contributed over $700,000 in the past five years to the school district. “I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the Pala Band of Mission Indians,” said Chairman Smith. “Education is the key to ensuring that today’s students learn the skills to be successful leaders for our region in the future. The Pala Band of Mission Indians is committed to helping as many students as possible receive a high-quality education.” Chairman Smith will receive the award on May 2 at the 12th “Honoring Our Own” Awards Ceremony by the San Diego County School Boards Association. Individuals interested in attending the event can contact Kimberly Roberts at (858) 292-3846 by April 16 to register. The Pala Band of Mission Indians is a federally recognized tribe whose reservation is located along the Palomar Mountain range approximately 30 miles northeast of San Diego. The majority of the over 900 tribal members live on the 12,000-acre reservation, established for Cupeño and Luiseño Indians, who consider themselves to be one proud people – Pala.
MASTER BASKET WEAVER TO TEACH FINE ART OF BASKET MAKING AT BARONA CULTURAL CENTER & MUSEUM MAY 3
April 14, 2014 (Lakeside)– The Barona Cultural Center & Museum and Ancient Spirits Speak will host master basket weaver Eva Salazar for a Basic Juncus Basket Making class on Saturday May 3, 2014 from 10:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. This introductory class will teach the basic principles of a fine art which yielded products both beautiful and useful. Traditionally, coiled juncus baskets were used by the Kumeyaay/Diegueno people to cook acorn meal, process various flours, collect and roast seeds and to wear as hats. Instructor Eva Salazar is a Kumeyaay Indian from the San Jose de la Zorra community in Baja California who currently resides in San Diego. Eva comes from a family of basketmakers and teaches her art in an effort to help others appreciate and carry on the tradition. Eva has won many awards for her artistry and creates her beautiful baskets from locally-harvested wild juncus, wild deergrass, willow, sumac and yucca. Eva also makes traditional Native American dolls, agave fiber nets, willow bark skirts and traditionally-inspired jewelry. The Basic Juncus Basket Making Class is open to ages 16 and up. Admission is $25 and lunch is included. The class is free for Barona Tribal Members. Please call 619-443-7003 ext. 219 by Friday April 25th to pre-pay and guarantee your spot.
QUAIL BRUSH APPLICANT ASKS FOR 1 YEAR EXTENSION OF APPLICATION SUSPENSION
By Miriam Raftery Photo: simulation of plant viewed from campground at Mission Trails Regional Park April 14, 2014 (San Diego) – One year after the California Public Utilities Commissions suspended an application for the controversial gas-fired Quail Brush power plan proposed near Mission Trails Regional Park and schools in Santee, the applicant has taken steps to keep the proposal alive. An attorney representing Quail Brush Genco LLC, the applicant, has sent a letter to the CPUC asking that the suspension be extended for an additional year to “provide time for the applicant and SDG&E to analyze commercial opportunities for the project in light of the current or changed circumstances in SDG&E’s service territory as well as any amendments that may be needed,” the letter states, adding, “The applicant continues to believe that SDG&E and the citizens of San Diego need the generation that the project would provide and that development of the project remains feasible.” The attorney added that by extending the suspension, rather than withdrawing the application, the applicant may elect to file a request to reinstate the proceeding and end the suspension during the next 12 months. The project had drawn widespread, bipartisan opposition that included Santee Mayor Randy Voepel and the Santee City Council, the San Diego City Council, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner, the Santee school district and environmental groups based on concerns of pollution, noise, environmental impacts, fire dangers and visual blight.
LA MESA COUNCIL VOTES AGAINST CELL PHONE BAN FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS DURING MEETINGS
By Miriam Raftery April 14, 2014 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted down a proposal by Mayor Art Madrid that would have banned Councilmembers from using their cell phones during public meetings, including closed sessions. Mayor Madrid argued that since members of the public in the audience are asked to silence their cell phones, council members should, too. Madrid said it’s a sign of “disrespect” for council members to have a double standard that requires audience members to leave the room if they wish to speak on their phones, while allowing Councilmembers to talk or text as they please. But Councilmembers won out, keeping the double standard. Councilmembers said they do silence the ringer on their phones, but want to continue receiving and sending text messages during meetings. Councilman Ernie Ewin said he has received alerts from the police department and also likes to receive messages from his wife when she is traveling. He has also received notification of a relative’s death via text on his cell phone during a meeting, he said. Councilwoman Kristine Alessio said she uses her cell phone to take notes and has texted her teenage daughter home alone during meetings. Resident Kristin Kjaero said she has received text messages from a councilmember in the past, though that member no longer sits on the council. La Mesa resident Patrick Dean asked the city attorney if cell phone messages made during meetings would be required to be disclosed as public records. The attorney said personal messages would be exempt, but if a communication involved city business, it could be disclosable under the Brown Act, California’s open meeting law.
GUNSMOKE IV: GAMBLIN’ “N” CAROUSING IN EL CAJON MAY 17
April 14, 2014 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Valley Host Lions are preparing for their fund-raising “Gunsmoke IV” night, Saturday, May 17 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon. The evening activities will take place from 6-10 pm and is billed as a “Night of Gamblin’ ‘n Carousin’ in an Old West Saloon. The Winchester Widows are assisting the Lions in the presentation and are pictured with members of the club in making preparations for the extravaganza. Tickets are now on sale from the Ladies or members of the Lions Club. Proceeds from this fundraiser fund the Lions various charitable and sight/ hearing related programs. The Winchester Widows focus their activities to assist the Challenge Ranch. For more information contact Dick Rogers, rrogers49@cox.net or phone 619-925-9058
READER’S EDITORIAL, PART IV: CLOSING ARGUMENTS IN TRIAL OF KASSIM ALHIMIDI
By Robert Clark April 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – On April14, evidence was completed in the murder trial of Kassim Alhimidi. Jury instructions were scheduled by Judge William McGrath for 2:30 p.m, and closing arguments will begin April 15 at 9 a.m. There was testimony this morning from D. Ahmed, who deals with issues related to domestic violence and arranged marriages through an organization she heads called “License to Freedom.” She testified that in November, 2011 she met with Fatima (daughter of Kassim Alhimidi and Shaima Alawadi) at Cajon Valley High School . Fatima said she was planning to run away to Las Vegas to avoid an arranged marriage. She hoped to join other former students involved with arranged marriages who were already in Las Vegas, and wanted to to know if Ahmed’s organization had any funds to help her escape. They did not. Fatima mentioned that her mother had a supply of gold, and that if she could get just “one small piece,” she could sell it and have the money to go to Las Vegas. When questioned about this situation earlier, Fatima denied it happened. Jurors were shown a photograph of a “Little Caesar” pizza box resting on the arm of a couch in the back yard of the crime scene, and a photo of a box on the floor next to the couch. They were taken by an El Cajon police officer the day of the attack. Were there two boxes, or one? Officers testified there was just one, but apparently didn’t check for fingerprints. Why is this an important issue? The boyfriend of Fatima was at that time working for Little Caesar’s. Was he in the home at the time Alawadi was attacked? A witness for the defense was Richard Whitman, an officer for 29 years with the ECPD. He responded to a call on November 3, 2011 of a report of two people possibly having intimate relations in a car. He saw the couple in the backseat, and learned they were Fatima (then 17, and Muslim) and her 21-year old boyfriend, a Christian Chaldean. Because the girl was underage, her mother was called. When Whitman was asked the name of the mother, he said he didn’t recall, but then checked his report and remembered that her name was “Shaima Alawadi.” The mother said the young man had been “bothering” her daughter, and she was considering getting a “restraining order” against the young man. Mother and daughter left, and Whitman was later informed that the daughter had jumped out of the car. He went to the scene and spoke with the mother and daughter. He learned that the daughter said “I love you, mom” and jumped from the car when it was moving about 35 m.p.h The injured Fatima was taken to a hospital, where Whitman said she was placed on a 72-hour hold, because her actions were interpreted as a suicide attempt, and she was considered a danger to herself or others.. More details will follow about trial testimony, as well as about closing arguments. The views and opinions of the author are not necessarily those of the East County Magazine. Please contact the editor at editor@eastcountymagazine.org for views and opinions.