OUR AUGUST RADIO SHOWS ARE NOW ONLINE! LISTEN NOW
September 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—During the August heat, we covered some of the hottest topics in town including a fire chief’s meeting with county officials, whistleblowers speaking out on the Grossmont Union High School District’s Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee, an interview with Mark Arabo on the Iraq humanitarian crisis, a Kurdish-American woman on how ISIS attacks are impacting her own family, and coverage of a Border Children forum at a La Mesa church. On the lighter side, we chatted with the maker of the mbira—a unique musical instrument invented locally, and with a firefighter/historian who recalls the infamous El Cajon jail break, owners of a Ramona winery, and the founder of St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center on amazing successes help developmentally disabled children, plus much, much more. For a full list of show topics and interviews for each August show, plus links to hear the shows, click here, or click “read more” and scroll down. You can also hear our show live Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on KNSJ 89.1 FM or online at www.knsj.org. AUGUST SHOWS Links to hear shows are at the bottom of this page, below the index of shows. Friday, August 1, 2014 Introduction County approves wild pig eradication plan PG&E indicted Surgeon General warning on skin cancer County’s first legal marijuana collective opens near Gillespie Field Boating fatality at El Capitan reservoir Station ID Newsmaker: Doug Brunson, United Church of Christ La Mesa, on congregation’s efforts to help immigrant children Santee approves modest funds for homeless Viejas Wildfire Alerts public service announcement, East County Magazine public service announcement, Station ID Destination East County – festivals and events Stay Cool! ECM staffers share tips for where to cool off in East County Station ID Grilling tips Fund for Animals Wildlife Center, Ramona: interview on location Closing credits Monday, August 4, 2014 Introduction Jobs Talk: CHP job opportunities Station ID Capitol Report: Iraq legislation and White House statement Mountain lion report; livestock kills Sexual predator placement update Green Scene: Western pond turtles released in East County Station ID/East County Magazine public service announcement/Viejas Wildfire Alerts public service announcement Vines and Wines: Ramona Wine Tour Newsmakers Hearts and Hands zebra farm in Ramona Closing credits Wednesday, August 6, 2014 Introduction Nuclear decommissioning plan for San Onofre Ebola treatment by San Diego firm has success Newsmakers: Priscilla Schreiber and Nick Marinovich speak out on Grossmont Union High School District and Citizens Bond Oversight Committee problems Station ID, East County Magazine public service announcement, Viejas Wildfire Alerts public service announcement White House climate change warnings Finding Rover application works, County says Campo health center breaks ground SDSU music entrepreneurship program African tortoise found in Santee Destination East County: festivals and events Green Scene: Western pond turtles released in East County Vines and Wines: Ramona Wine Tour Viejas Wildfire Alerts public service announcement Closing credits Friday, August 8, 2014 Introduction Iraq Airstrikes launched Iraq rally and worldwide protests against ISIS County approves creation of program to promote agriculture Helix Water declares level 2 drought Station ID Green Scene: Rim Fire, one year later Online petitions work to change corporate actions Free school supplies Finding Rover application works Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA, ECM PSA, Staiton ID Destination East County County auction Plague found in Palomar Meteor showers Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA Station ID Grilling Safety Campo Health Center breaks ground Reel to Reel: League of Liars (rerun) Monday, August 11, 2014 Introduction Politics in Paradise: Politicians to appear at Chamber event Mayor Faulconer vetoes minimum wage hike Green Scene: NextEra comes to Jacumba Station ID Drought is now severe in 99% of California Free energy workshops in El Cajon SOITEC bans planning group chair Donna Tisdale from its community meetings Back to school at SDSU Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA, ECM PSA, Station ID Insurer pays disabled man’s settlement in coins Green Scene: Wildlife refuges ban GMOs SDSU music program for entrepreneurs Newsmaker: Larry Poole, movie stuntman (rerun) Station ID Tribal Beat: Barona ethnobotany exhibit Vines and Wines: Ramona Wine Tour Walk-in Wednesday weddings at County Clerk’s office Closing Credits Wednesday, August 13, 2014 Introduction Rural hunger on the rise (Public News Service) Robin Williams’ death prompts suicide prevention tips Criminalization of homelessness: a disturbing national trend La Mesa Term Limits opposition announces campaign Citizens United ballot measure cancelled by court Human trafficking bills by Senator Marty Block advance Station ID Newsmaker: Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation Director Jay Wilson on park’s expansion and on recent fire Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA, Station ID, ECM PSA Helix Water raises rates Destination East County: festivals and events Tribal Beat: new lawsuits over Jamul Casino Green Scene: Rim Fire Station ID Grilling tips Bookshelf: Interview with author Matt Pallamary, author of Shamanic Explorer (rerun) Cool zones: public service announcement for San Diego County Nursing award Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA Aztecs back to school Closing credits Friday, August 15, 2014 Introduction Newsmaker: Amin, a Kurdish-American woman speaks out on crisis in Kurdistan Azano indictments announced in political corruption scandal Diaper bill brings a rash of controversy Station ID, East County Magazine PSA, Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA Citizens United initiative ruling 3 East County schools among those with worst records for English learner students Newsmaker: Debra Emmerson, St. Madeleine Sophie’s, on the nonprofit’s upcoming fashion show Station ID Destination East County: Festivals and events Green Scene: Wildlife refuges ban GMOs Closing Credits Monday, August 18, 2014 Introduction County Education Board okays Alpine unification Capitol Report: Homeless vet funds approved Michael Brown shooting impacts reach San Diego Rep. Duncan Hunter speaks out on militarization of police Workers picket Food 4 Less stores Station ID El Cajon Council moves forward on plan to lease ECPAC to Rock Church Fire Chiefs, civic officials assess May wildfires response and readiness for future fires Viejas Wildfire Alerts PSA, East County Magazine PSA, Station ID CDBG grants announced Statoin ID On the Road in Jacumba (song: Drip by Mama Christie – rerun) Rural hunger (Public
SAN DIEGO EARLY MUSIC SOCIETY EXPANDS SEASON OF CONCERTS, ADDS NEW VENUE IN EAST COUNTY FOR OCT. 31 PERFORMANCE
September 20, 2014 (San Diego)—In its 33rd year, San Diego Early Music Society (SDEMS) is significantly expanding its program of concerts by world-class artists, adding a new Adventure Series to its regular International Season, and offering concerts in San Diego’s East County for the first time. “Our patrons have made it clear that there is a need to be filled for world-class classical music performances in East County,” said SDEMS board president Mark Lester. “The Performing Arts Theater at Cuyamaca College has excellent acoustics and is an intimate, comfortable venue that we think is going to be a great fit for our concerts and very attractive to new audiences.” SDEMS’ season begins with “O How Glorious,” a concert by the Grammy-nominated vocal ensemble New York Polyphony, on Friday, October 3, at 7:30 p.m., at St. James-by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, 743 Prospect Street in La Jolla. The program is centered on Victoria’s Missa O quam gloriosum and works by Guerrero, Morales, and Palestrina. This performance marks New York Polyphony’s SDEMS series debut. Praised for a “rich, natural sound that’s larger and more complex than the sum of its parts,” (National Public Radio) New York Polyphony is regarded as one of the finest vocal chamber ensembles in the world and is currently on a North America tour that includes Washington, D.C. and New York. Countertenor Geoffrey Williams, tenor Steven Caldicott Wilson, baritone Christopher Dylan Herbert, and bass Craig Phillips “sing with intelligence, subtlety and consummate artistry,” (Richmond Times-Dispatch) applying a distinctly modern touch to repertoire that ranges from austere medieval melodies to cutting-edge contemporary compositions. New York Polyphony released its third album, endBeginning, on BIS Records in early 2012. Featuring rare and never-before recorded works from the Franco-Flemish Renaissance, the album has amassed substantial critical acclaim. The ensemble has toured extensively, participating in major concert series and festivals throughout North America and Europe. They have been featured on Performance Today for American Public Media, Footprints to Paradise: A Medieval Christmas for Public Radio International, and BBC Radio 3’s In Tune. In December 2011, New York Polyphony made its national television debut on The Martha Stewart Show. Later that month, SDEMS inaugurates its East County Performances with Quatuor Mosaïques on Friday, October 31, 7:30 p.m. at Cuyamaca College’s Performing Arts Theater, 900 Rancho San Diego Parkway in El Cajon. Quatuor Mosaïques is the first of three concerts in SDEMS’ new Adventure Series. “Many musicians now perform on both modern and baroque instruments, play romantic music or even contemporary music on period instruments or baroque music on modern instruments,” said SDEMS artistic director Laurent Planchon. “While still presenting the best of what the early music world has to offer in our International Series, we want to cross these bridges too.” The award-winning Quatuor Mosaïques, arguably the finest string quartet performing 18th- and 19th-century literature on original instruments, will present Haydn’s op. 103 quartet, Mozart’s KV 421 in d-minor, and the Quartet op. 41, no.3 in A, by Robert Schumann. The ensemble uses gut-stringed instruments which, combined with its celebrated musicianship, has cultivated a unique sound. Formed in 1985, the group is comprised of Austrians Erich Höbarth (violin), Andrea Bischof (violin), and Anita Mitterer (viola), and French cellist Christophe Coin. Quatuor Mosaïques has appeared in Europe, the United States, Australia, and Japan and regularly performs in Vienna, London’s Wigmore Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and Berlin’s Philharmonic Hall. The group is often featured at such prestigious European festivals as Edinburgh, Salzburg, Luzern, Bremen, Bath, Styriarte Graz, Schubertiade Schwarzenberg, and Oslo, among others. International Series New York Polyphony: “O How Glorious” Friday, October 3, 2014 St. James-by-the-Sea Piffaro: “Fortune My Foe: Ballads, Songs and Dances from Elizabethan England” Sunday, November 23, 2014 St. James-by-the-Sea Tapestry: “Song of Songs: Return to the Garden” Sunday, January 11, 2015 St. James-by-the-Sea Les Voix Humaines with Charles Daniels: “Perchance to Dream” Monday, February 16, 2015 St. James-by-the-Sea Musica ad Rhenum: “Bach Cantatas, Plus” Friday, March 6, 2015 St. James-by-the-Sea Concerto Köln: “Baroque Concertos for Harp, Mandolin and Flute” Thursday, April 9, 2015 Performing Arts Theater, Cuyamaca College All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Adventure Series Quatuor Mosaïques: “Quartets by Haydn, Mozart and Schumann” Friday, October 31, 2014 Performing Arts Theater, Cuyamaca College The Myriad Trio: “Baroque Rethought” Sunday, April 26, 2015 Performing Arts Theater, Cuyamaca College Eric Hoeprich (clarinet), Tanya Tomkins (cello), Eric Zivian (fortepiano) “19th-Century Clarinet Trios” Thursday, May 7, 2015 Performing Arts Theater, Cuyamaca College All concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. Tickets Tickets for concerts at St. James-by-the-Sea are $28–$35; tickets for concerts at Cuyamaca College are $18–$25. Season subscriptions are available, offering the best seats and substantial savings over single-ticket prices. Student discounts are available throughout the season, subject to availability. Details are on the SDEMS website. Subject to availability, $10 rush tickets in the last two rows of the venue are sold in the last two weeks before a concert. Rush tickets must be booked by phone or purchased at the door. Groups of 10 or more are eligible for 20 percent off regular ticket prices. Tickets, subscriptions, and information: 619-291-8246 or on the website, www.sdems.org. About SDEMS The San Diego Early Music Society is a nonprofit organization founded to showcase the musical treasures of Europe’s medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods, as performed on period instruments and in accordance with historical practice. The Society was established in 1981 and has presented concerts in churches, small halls, museums, and homes—settings for which the music was composed. SDEMS currently produces the International Series, which brings artists internationally renowned for their performances and recordings in concert each season. World-class vocal and instrumental soloists, ensembles, and chamber orchestras perform an exciting repertoire from various periods and countries. This year SDEMS has added the Adventure Series, featuring world-class ensembles and soloists performing repertoire from a little later in history, pushing into the Classical and even Early Romantic repertoire.
JERRY FAZIO ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF EAST COUNTY
September 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – After 35 years, Jerry Fazio, executive director of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Foundation, has announced his retirement. Fazio plans to begin his retirement Oct. 24. His official retirement date, after enjoying some well-deserved vacation time, will be Dec. 4, three days after his 35th anniversary with the youth organization that has served hundreds of thousands of young people in the East County since its founding in 1961. Since joining the organization on Dec. 1, 1979, Fazio has served in several executive positions with the Girls’ Club and Boys & Girls Clubs, as well as executive director of the Foundation, a non-profit fundraising entity, on two occasions, most recently since July 2008. Fazio’s honors during his career have included El Cajon Citizen of the Year in 1992, Boys & Girls Clubs Pacific Region Executive of the Year in 2006, and National Executive Director of the Year from Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2007. He is known throughout San Diego for his friendly smile and fundraising passion on behalf of the organization. “He is the instantly recognizable fundraiser and pitch man for our organization,” said Jack Doyle, board president of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County Foundation. “During his 35 years, Jerry has steered the development of our new and updated facilities in El Cajon, Lakeside, Santee and La Mesa. He leaves us a legacy to be proud of in East County. We wish him well as he moves into retirement.” Fazio’s decision to retire was prompted by recent good news from doctors that he is cancer free, five years after battling colon cancer, a disease that led to the 2008 death of his first wife Nancy. “While preparing for my cancer tests, I indulged in a little speculation about how I might handle the news, whether good or bad,” Fazio said. “I concluded that no matter what, after 35 years, the time has come for me to retire. I will concentrate on my faith, my health, my grandchildren and my gorgeous wife Melissa. And, if an opportunity comes along to help a good community cause, I might just do that, too.” Fazio’s recent work with the Foundation has focused on a $8.9 million fundraising effort called the La Mesa Capital Campaign. The campaign’s goal is to build a new clubhouse in La Mesa, renovate an existing teen center in the city and fund an endowment to operate both facilities. Forrest Higgins, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County, will add the role of campaign coordinator to his job with the assistance from Clubs and Foundation staff. According to Higgins, more than $5 million for the La Mesa Capital Campaign has been raised during Fazio’s leadership. “Jerry has been integral part of the success and growth of the Boys & Girls Club of East County,” Higgins said. “His dedication and passion to the youth and families of East County will be greatly missed.” Since 1961, the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County have been meeting the developmental needs of children and youth. Its mission statement: “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to become responsible, caring, productive citizens.”
EAST COUNTY VINTNER’S HARVEST CELEBRATION OCT. 11
September 20, 2014 (Potrero) –You’re invited to join the East County Vintners Wine Group for its second annual Mountain Empire Country Harvest Celebration on Saturday, October 11 from 12 noon to sundown. The festivities take place at the Jim and Janet Wright Ranch and Vineyard in scenic Potrero, just 30 minutes east from Jamul off Highway 94/Campo Road. Smokey barbecue with all the trimmings and wine sampling by local vineyards and wineries are among the activities, along with a silent auction and door prizes. Proceeds generated will be donated to three non profit organizations: the Mountain Empire Historical Society, and two small rural Catholic Churches, St. Adelaide of Burgundy (serving Campo) and St. Magdelene (serving Jacumba). RSVPs and tickets ($25 in advance, $30 at the door) are required. For tickets, contact countryharvest2014@gmail.com.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: “EL GRITO” CELEBRATED IN SAN DIEGO
Photos by Tom and Nadin Abbott, Reporting San Diego Sep. 16, 2014 (San Diego) “El Grito de Dolores” signaled the beginning of the war of independence from Spain by Mexico. Every year in every plaza and government building in Mexico the head of the local government comes out at midnight to recreate the act at the church in Dolores, state of Hidalgo. In the United States, Latin communities maintain that link to the homeland and recreate this event as well. While this Grito may have many familiar aspects to their counterparts in Mexico, such as flags, food, dance, and talk, it also has another aspect to it: resistance. San Diegans’ celebrated this occasion at Chicano Park on September 15th. For details on the history of this fascinating event celebrating resistance, more photos and video, see the full version of this story at http://reportingsandiego.com/2014/09/16/el-grito-celebrated-at-chicano-park/
WORLDWIDE UKELELE SENSATION JAKE SHIMABUKURO AT CA CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN ESCONDIDO OCT. 31
“An international sensation.” -The Today Show “The Jimi Hendrix of the ukulele.” -Guitar Player September 20, 2014 (Escondido) — Ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro will wow audiences as part of The California Center for the Arts, Escondido’s 20th Anniversary 2014/2015 season with a special Halloween show on Friday, October 31, 2014 in the Concert Hall. Redefining a previously under-the-radar instrument, the critically acclaimed slinger combines elements of jazz, blues, funk, rock, bluegrass, folk, and flamenco, fully revealing his musical dexterity. Shimabukuro has appeared on television shows including Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Jimmy Kimmel Live, he’s earned notable fans such as Eddie Vedder and Sanjay Gupta, and performed for the likes of the Queen of England. Interviews and hi-res photos are available upon request. Well known in his native Hawaii and Japan during his early career as a member of Pure Heart and Colón, Jake Shimabukuro earned international fame in 2006 when his singular cover of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” went viral online. The video became one of the first hits on YouTube, and has since received over 13 million views. The artist’s career has skyrocketed from his humble beginnings at a local Honolulu café, with Shimabukuro receiving collaboration requests from notable musicians across many genres. He has toured with the likes of Jimmy Buffet & The Coral Reefer Band and Béla Fleck & the Flecktones across the globe in Japan, Canada, Brazil, and Australia. Shimabukuro has also performed as a guest artist on Ziggy Marley’s GRAMMY® Award-winning Love is My Religion (2006) and Yo-Yo Ma’s 2008 holiday album, Songs of Joy and Peace. Now, he’s exploring his passion as a film composer, contributing to the soundtrack of the Buffett-produced film Hoot, scoring the hit Japanese independent film Hula Girls, and recently completing the score for the Japanese version of the film Sideways. Regarding his own solo recordings, Jake Shimabukuro’s 2011 album Peace, Love, Ukulele debuted at #1 on the Billboard World Chart. With his most recent album Grand Ukulele, Shimabukuro’s talents continue to flourish. Produced by renowned producer/engineer Alan Parsons (The Beatles, Pink Floyd), the album reached #2 on Billboard’s Top World Music Albums. Parsons broadened his sound, bringing in a 29-piece orchestra, as well as a big-name rhythm section, including drummer Simon Phillips (The Who, Toto), session superstar bassist Randy Tico, and orchestrator Kip Winger (Winger, Alice Cooper). Highlights from the album include originals such as “Island Fever Blues” and “Missing Three” — an entire song played on only three strings, inspired by a day when Jake was missing the third string on his instrument — as well as reinterpretations of Sting’s “Fields of Gold” and Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep”. An award-winning documentary on his life, career, and music, Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings, was released in 2012. Airing nationally on PBS and winning the Gotham Film Audience Award, the project is a compelling portrait of the musician whose virtuosity has transformed all previous conceptions of the ukulele’s potential. On the road from New York to Los Angeles to Japan, Jake Shimabukuro: Life on Four Strings reveals life on tour, the exhilaration of performance, and the wonder of newfound fame through intimate conversations with Shimabukuro. For more information about Jake Shimabukuro, please visit jakeshimabukuro.com About the California Center for the Arts, Escondido With a mission of bringing people together to discover, create and celebrate both the visual and performing arts, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido is the cultural center of North San Diego County. The Center’s unique campus includes a 1,523-seat concert hall, a 404-seat theater, a contemporary art museum, art and dance studios, and a full-service conference center with meeting and banquet facilities. The Center also runs an extensive education program and produces free community events, such as the Jazz Jam Sessions, Holiday Tree Lighting, Day of the Dead, 4th of July and WOW First Wednesdays performances. The Center is located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd. in Escondido. The Ticket Office can be reached at (800) 988-4253. Tickets ($20-$35) can also be purchased online. To learn more, including performance dates, times and ticket information, visit www.artcenter.org .
HOW SDG&E’S SMART DEVICES HELPED RESTORE POWER TO THEIR CUSTOMERS
Originally Published in the ECOreport By Roy L Hales San Diego’s grid has endured an onslaught. A record breaking 5-day-long heat wave, that produced back to back peak demand records of 4,781 megawatts (MW) and 4,890 MW. There were high winds, microbursts followed by sudden downpours and flooding. A lot of trees fell and there were several outages. Repair crews worked round the clock. Some worked 24 hour shifts. Hanan Eisenman, Communications Manager for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), explained how SDG&E’s smart grid devices helped restore power to their customers. SDG&E has the largest weather sensor network in the US, with 150 sensors throughout their service territory. “We use these to track adverse weather conditions to improve our situational awareness of the grid and make it more reliable,” said Hanan Eisenman, Communications Manager, SDG&E. “They also enable us to respond quicker during heirous fire seasons or weather events like this.” Thanks to the weather sensors, SDG&E knew where the microbursts were developing. Crews were rushed to the threatened areas and ready when the microbursts occurred. They used SCADA devises to avoid the faults and reroute power to the effected locations quicker. “SCADA are like automated switches so that instead of sending a crewman out to flip the switch and get the power going around an area, you can switch those lines from a control room,” Eisenman explained. “It is basically automated switching technology. You can look at your grid and see where there is a fault. I can reroute that power, by switching to a different line, then I can bring the power back in that area sooner.” SDG&E also employed wireless fault indicators to pinpoint the problems in distribution lines, so crews could find and repair them quicker. There were a lot of crews working around the clock, but smart technology enabled them to repair the damages faster. With obvious pride in his voice, Eisenman said, “That’s what we do in SDG&E, we are known as a very reliable utility. We’ve been ‘Best in the West’ for reliability eight years in a row. It is one of our core missions, so when an outage happens we respond quickly.” Photo courtesy SDG&E
ELECTRIC USE IN SAN DIEGO REACHES ALL-TIME PEAK RECORD
SDG&E Thanks Customers for Patience & Conservation Efforts During Five-Day Heat Wave & Thunderstorms September 20, 2014 (San Diego) – Following a record-breaking five-day heat wave combined with a microburst of thunderstorms bringing high winds, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is thanking customers and community partners for their efforts to save energy and for their patience during power outages. Due to the extreme weather conditions, SDG&E reached new all-time back-to-back peak demand records of 4,781 megawatts (MW) on Sept. 15 and 4,890 MW on Sept. 16. The conservation efforts by customers limited strain on the electric grid and ensured SDG&E was able to provide reliable energy throughout the event. “The last several days brought severe weather conditions to SDG&E’s service area and we are grateful to our customers, community partners and our first responders who helped keep San Diego safe and displayed remarkable patience and responsiveness to our requests for help to conserve energy,” said Steven D. Davis, SDG&E’s president and COO. “SDG&E is focused on keeping our system running safely and reliably, and the support of the community was immensely helpful in enabling us to meet those goals.” On Monday, Sept. 15, preliminary results show that a total reduction of approximately 70 MW was achieved through demand response programs that were activated. Residential customers saved energy and earned bill credits through Reduce Your Use Rewards, Reduce Your Use Thermostat and Summer Saver, saving approximately 30 MW. SDG&E’s business customers played a major role in achieving significant demand reduction, resulting in savings of approximately 40 MW on Sept. 15. For example, locally headquartered industrial gas turbine manufacturer Solar Turbines participates in SDG&E’s Capacity Bidding Program, a voluntary demand response program that offers commercial and industrial customers the opportunity to earn incentive payments in exchange for reducing energy consumption when requested by the utility. During the heat wave, Solar Turbines was able to reduce their energy use by approximately 6 MW. They are able to make these load reductions by a number of methods including the delay of manufacturing process start times during peak grid load periods. Preparation key to limiting outages and safely restoring service in extreme weather In addition to the heat, the region was hit with sudden microbursts bringing high winds and heavy rainfall in very short periods of time. These powerful storms brought severe wind, flooding and downed trees that resulted in localized outages on Sept. 16. SDG&E’s readiness helped ensure the system provided safe and reliable power to customers during the heat wave, and restoration of outages was conducted quickly and safely following damage from thunderstorms. These preparations included an increased level of crews and standby personnel in the field ready to respond to issues as they happened. Utility field crews were able to quickly begin the process of restoring power in the affected areas immediately, thanks to advanced meteorology tools that alerted SDG&E to the direction of the fast-moving storms. SDG&E also worked closely with the California Independent System Operator Corporation to monitor the high demand and ensure the transmission system was running smoothly. In addition to all available local generation resources – both large power plants and smaller peaking units that use natural gas – SDG&E relied heavily on the Sunrise Powerlink to import 450 MW of new solar and wind capacity that was generated in the Imperial Valley region to meet the higher demands of the system at the time of the peak. Planning for the future, SDG&E has an active solicitation in the marketplace for up to 800 MW of additional resources, including a minimum of 200 MW of preferred resources, to be able to accommodate the loss of more than 1,150 MW of local generation set to retire in the next two to three years. Safety is especially crucial during storms and extreme weather. SDG&E reminds customers to always assume that power lines are energized and make sure not to touch any downed lines, and to call for help – such as a qualified SDG&E employee or a firefighter – if someone has come in contact with energized power lines or equipment. If dependent on electrically operated medical equipment, make sure you have made backup power arrangements in case of an outage. SDG&E is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. Connect with SDG&E’s Customer Contact Center at 800-411-7343, on Twitter (@SDGE) and Facebook.
SAN DIEGO IS BECOMING A HUB FOR RARE DISEASE RESEARCH & TREATMENT, INCLUDING MESOTHELIOMA
By Nancy Werner September 19, 2014 (San Diego)–Most people familiar with drug research think of Boston as the center for leading drug research, but San Diego leads in research and development into RNA therapies and treatments that bring hope for patients with rare diseases like mesothelioma.RNA Drug Development for Rare Diseases Booming in San Diego San Diego is fast becoming a center for RNA therapy research, writes Joseph Payne, CEO of the biotech development firm Acturus Therapeutics, in Xconomy, an online news site that focuses on business and technology. In addition to his own company, Isis Pharmaceuticals, Santaris Pharma, Regulus Therapeutics, and Solstice Neurosciences are also developing RNA therapies. RNA treatments work by interfering with the development of cells that would otherwise carry a disease, specifically disrupt their RNA (ribonucleic acid). If you remember your high school chemistry class, RNA is one of the basic building blocks of life. When the RNA in cells that are up to no good gets disrupted, they can’t continue to support the disease. Treatment for Peritoneal Mesothelioma at Moores Cancer Center, UC San Diego San Diego also has several cancer centers that offer treatments that may help patients with mesothelioma. One such center is Moores Cancer Center at UC-San Diego, which offers a treatment for many patients with peritoneal mesothelioma, states MesotheliomaHelp.org. About 25 percent of all mesothelioma patients have this form of the disease, according to the American Cancer Society. Like other peritoneal (abdominal) cancers, it is difficult to treat. Moores offers HIPEC—heated intraperitoneal chemoperfusion—a treatment many oncologists recommend for patients with advanced peritoneal cancer. Also called “hot therapy,” it is performed during surgery, after visible tumors have been removed, to destroy any remaining cancer cells. According to the Moores website, it has shown substantial clinical evidence as an effective treatment for peritoneal mesothelioma. During HIPEC, surgeons circulate a chemotherapy solution heated to 41C (770F) throughout the abdominal cavity for up to 90 minutes. Because the chemotherapy is delivered directly into the affected area the patient receives a much more powerful dose than he would through conventional IV, without any of the side effects. The mortality rate following HIPEC is very low, up to 3 percent at other hospitals that report results, but only 1.4 percent at Moores. Moores’ HIPEC Outcomes Bring Fewer Severe Complications HIPEC is most often available at research and teaching hospitals like Moores. The majority of patients who receive HIPEC there—75 percent—have cancer of the appendix, itself a very rare disease. Another 23 percent have colon cancer and the remaining have other rare diseases. Patients at Moore’s have better outcomes after HIPEC than at other centers: Lower severe complication rates: 12 percent versus 25-30 percent Very low neutropenia—reduction in white blood cells needed to fight infections—rates after HIPEC, just over 1 percent versus 10 percent Half as many Moores’ patients return for additional HIPEC surgery: 3.5 percent versus up to 11 percent Wound infection is much lower at 8 percent versus up to 20 percent Problems with bowel leakage problems are very low, under 2 percent versus up to 9 percent
CAL FIRE PROVIDES UPDATE ON FIRES BURNING STATEWIDE
By Miriam Raftery Photo: King Fire viewed from Lake Tahoe, by Steve Ellsworth, courtesy Cal Fire Blogspot September 20, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) –Over 7,800 firefighters continue to battle seven major wildfires burning in California, CAL-FIRE reports. Of greatest concern is the King Fire in El Dorado County, which has burned nearly 81,000 acres and continues to threaten 21,000 structures. A suspected arsonist has been arrested for allegedly starting the King Fire. Overnight, crews made progress on several fires including full containment on the destructive Boles Fire in Siskiyou County and the Silverado Fire in Orange County. Firefighters continue to mop up on several other fires with full containment expected this weekend for the Courtney Fire in Madera County, the June Fire in Mono County and the Meadow Fire in Yosemite National Park. For details on each of the many fires burning statewide, click “read more” and scroll down. In Northern California gusty north winds could fan the active wildfires and will heighten the fire danger as conditions rapidly dry out. Gusts of 20-30 mph are likely. Firefighters are concerned that the winds may shift the direction of the King Fire, pushing it back to the South. By Monday conditions should cool down though. In Southern California most areas should experience relatively cooler temperatures and higher humidity, which will help lower the fire risk. This weekend CAL FIRE is asking residents to be extra careful in the outdoors in order to prevent sparking a wildfire. One less spark means one less wildfire. Learn more at www.ReadyForWildfire.org. Fires of Interest: **CAL FIRE Incidents** Boles Fire, Siskiyou County (more info…) The city of Weed * 479 acres – 100% contained * All evacuations have been lifted * Approximately 150 structures destroyed Courtney Fire, Madera County (more info…) off Courtney Ln, east of Oakhurst * 320 acres – 93% contained * All evacuations have been lifted * 56 structures damaged or destroyed **Unified Incidents** King Fire, El Dorado County (more info…) CAL FIRE / USFS – El Dorado National Forest northeast of Pollock Pines * 80,944 acres – 10% contained * Evacuations in effect for over 2,800 people * 21,000 structures threatened **Federal Incidents** Irene Fire, Alpine County (more info…) USFS – El Dorado National Forest Mokelumne Wilderness area * 93 acres – 45% contained June Fire, Mono County (more info…) USFS – Inyo National Forest On June Mountain near June Lake * 65 acres – 85% contained * CAL FIRE is assisting Meadow Fire, Mariposa County (more info…) Yosemite National Park east of Half Dome in the Little Yosemite Valley * 4,772 acres – 90% contained Silverado Fire, Orange County (more info…) USFS – Cleveland National Forest Silverado Canyon area * 968 acres – 100% contained Happy Camp Complex, Siskiyou County (more info…) USFS – Klamath National Forest Near Happy Camp * 130,139 acres – 74% contained * CAL FIRE is assisting July Complex, Siskiyou County (more info…) USFS – Klamath National Forest Several locations throughout Siskiyou County * 50,042 acres – 98% contained