WINDY WEATHER FORECAST
February 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) — It’s shaping up to be a wild weather week, starting with waves up to 12 feet off San Diego’s coast, whipped up by strong offshore winds. Wind gusts Wednesday and Thursday could reach 50 miles an hour in inland mountains and canyons, a concern for firefighters in continuing warm, dry conditions with temperatures forecast to reach the 70s. But a low pressure system moving north from Baja will bring cooler temperatures later in the week, with a chance of light showers this weekend.
WESTERN SWEETHEART DANCE FEB. 21
February 10, 2015 (Lakeside) – A Western Sweetheart Dance featuring country artist Patrick Trampus will be held at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds on February 21st from 5 to 10 p.m. with entertainment starting at 6 p.m. A coronation for Miss Rodeo Lakeside will also be held. For tickets (Adults $10 or two for $15, kids 3-11 $5) visit www.LakesideRodeo.com.
EAST COUNTY YOUTH SYMPHONY CONCERT MARCH 13
February 10, 2015 (El Cajon) – The East County Youth Symphony orchestra will perform a concert on Friday, March 13th at 7:30 p.m. in collaboration with the Cuyamaca College String Orchestra and Choir. The program, featuring a Requiem by G. Faure, will be held at the Cuyamaca College Communication Arts Theatre. Admission is $8, or $5 for students.
ALPINE TOT’S PARENTS ASKS FOR PRAYERS
February 9, 2015 (Alpine) – For more than a year, community members in Alpine have pulled together to support the family of Kylie Rowand, a toddler battling neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of cancer. Pink ribbons painted the town pick, as we reported. Alpine residents held fundraisers to help pay the family’s medical bills. But now kylie’s parents have posted on Facebook that doctors have given Kylie just weeks to live, or less. Her mother is asking for prayers for the little girl with an angelic smile that has captured the hearts of so many who tried so hard to help. From the family’s Facebook page: Prayers For Kylie Facebook Post (2-2-15) “I am not sure I will have the right words at this moment. My mind is in a fog, my stomach in knots, and my heart is broken. This week marks one year since Kylie and I got to sleep in our own beds in our own home. And in this year, we have spent every second of every minute together, ferociously fighting an incurable disease that will soon take her life. Kylie’s CT scan showed that her liver is extremely large and full of disease. The cancer is starting to take over. At this point there is not much more we can do. She is in an excruciating amount of pain, it’s hard for her to breath and there is no way to stop the liver from getting any bigger. We are still continuing the BRAF drug, but it’s only going to buy us time. Neuroblastoma is the most aggressive of the pediatric cancers and once it’s starts to take over there is no stopping it. Doctors are giving her a couple weeks if that. We are going to keep Kylie here in the hospital where we feel would be most comfortable for her and will give Luke and I the most time possible we can with her.” Follow Kylie’s Facebook Here: https://www.facebook.com/prayersforkylie1
SHOULD CRIMINAL CHARGES BE FILED AGAINST THE GUHSD?
By Miriam Raftery, Editor East County Magazine February 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) –The scandal over Grossmont Union High School District’s misuse of bond funds has now made national news. Recently a Superior Court Judge issued an injunction requiring the district to set aside money from a portion of bonds and state funds to build the long-promised Alpine High School, after a Grand Jury previously found that the District spent money from voter-approved bond measures on unauthorized projects, while failing to build the promised Alpine High School. Now a Forbes magazine article titled Regulators Way to Easy on Muni Bond Investors is calling the District’s actions a “classic bait and switch scheme.” Author Marilyn Cohen, one of the nation’s top bond managers, asks, “Why aren’t the people involved sent to jail?” Forbes add, “…once they had the money in their hot little hands they thought they could do whatever they wanted with it rather than what they promised the taxpayers who voted for the bond issue.” The District’s efforts to resolve its financial woes in court means that “only the lawyers win, not the taxpayers,” Forbes continues. “Consider the audacity of Grossmont in issuing another $60 million in bonds over the next few months.” Bond investors should not trust the word of districts like Grossmont that mislead voters, Forbes concludes. East County Magazine has asked District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis if her office is investigating the Grossmont district, but thus far we have not received confirmation on whether or not any criminal investigation is underway. Dumanis previously launched a criminal probe against members of the Sweetwater Union School District’s Board that resulted in two convictions of trustees on corruption charges for accepting gifts over state limits. Political analysts may note that the key difference between the two districts is that Dumanis, a Republican, was willing to prosecute Democrats on the Sweetwater board but has thus far seemed unwilling to investigate or prosecute Republicans on the Grossmont district board. Yet the offenses committed by Grossmont’s board majority have caused harm that is arguably far more serious than Sweetwater’s board members did. Tens of millions of dollars in bond funds were misappropriated, leading a judge to issue an injunction to halt spending of the money. Prop H was passed as the “Safety and overcrowding” bond initiative. Yet Alpine students have been killed in accidents traveling long distances to schools far away, so clearly school overcrowding and the long distance Alpine students must travel, especially in winter weather, is a safety issue. By the District’s own admission, safety issues at other schools have not been fixed yet the district spent bond funds on unauthorized and seemingly less necessary projects such as a performing arts center and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. The entire district is on the verge of being split up because of the board’s actions, since Alpine parents now seek to leave the district and join the Alpine Union School District instead. A petition to unify the Alpine district so it can accept high school students and build the high school has been launched. The County Board of Education has recommended that the State approve unification, also finding fault with the Grossmont board’s actions. Grossmont’s board majority has insisted that enrollment triggers for the high school were not met, though that notion has been debunked by numerous credible experts. The board has failed to offer any credible explanation for why it built projects not listed in the bond while failing to build the Alpine high school listed as a top priority in Props H and U. Whether this was due to mere bungling, political retribution, or some as yet undisclosed profit motive, such as for a construction company with ties to a board member or outright corruption, remains unclear since no investigation has been conducted. Bill Weaver, an Alpine parent and taxpayer, says the district’s actions are why a taxpayer’s waste lawsuit is in the works against the district, its superintendent Ralf Swenson and others. Weaver wants to see the Grossmont district answerable to its actions of ignoring safety and overcrowding issues that put Alpine students at risk. He concludes, “Criminal Investigations are merited, as the “Forbes” expert author has made the legal case for fraud of bond investors, and deceit of intent to the taxpayers who authorized these bonds.” While the District Attorney would be a logical choice to head up an investigation into potential local bond fraud, the state and federal government may also have jurisdiction under provisions of the Education Code in the case of the state and potentially, mail fraud under federal law if deceptive materials were mailed to voters before the board majority diverted taxpayer-approved bond funds to other uses.
ROMEO AND JULIET: CHICAGO-STYLE MARCH 12-21
February 9, 2015 (El Cajon)—The Stagecoach Theatre at Grossmont College will present Romeo and Juliet, arguably the greatest love story in English literature, in eight performances in March. This production has a twist—set against the turbulent backdrop of Prohibition Era Chicago, blending a mafia family drama with the timelessness of forbidden love. The young lovers’ illicit desire is hindered by a deadly organized crime feud, and ultimately they must decide if duty and family honor outweigh the allure and depth of their love. The tale of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers is an enduring, tragic romance that challenges the audience to examine the power of passion and the inevitability of fate. The production, directed by Jeannette Thomas, will take stage on March 12, 13, 14, 18, 20 and 21 at 7:30 p.m. as well as two matinee performances at 2 p.m. on March 14th and 21st. For tickets, visit http://www.grossmont.edu/campus-life/arts-culture/theater-arts/2014-2015-season.aspx
VALENTINE’S OVERNIGHT UNDER THE STARS FEB. 14
February 9, 2015 (Anza Borrego) – Califoirnia Overland Adventures is teaming up with astronomer Dennis Mammana for a Valentine’s Overnight adventure on Saturday, February 14th. The adventure includes a gourmet chuckwagon dinner with wine and chocolate, camp at the historic Clark homestead in the Anza Borrego desert amid tamarisk trees and sand dunes. You’ll spend a night under the stars including stargazing with full astornomy program, breakfast the next morning and a three-hour excursion through the Borrego badlands to a breathtaking overlook at Font’s Point. (Cost: $250 adults, $150 teens, $90 kids 12 and under) For details and reservations, visit www.CaliforniaOverland.com or call 866-6-EXPLORE.
LA MESA AND SANTEE SEEK PAGEANT CONTESTANTS: SCHOLARSHIPS OFFERED TO WINNERS
February 9, 2015 (San Diego’s Esat County)–On Friday, March 6, 2015 the cities of La Mesa and Santee will hold one of their most grand traditions, the Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee Pageants. Pageant organizers are currently seeking outgoing residents ages 13-26 to participate in a program that has been a tradition in the cities since the late 1960’s and is an outstanding mentoring program for young women. The pageants are sponsored by the local Chamber of Commerce and focus on community service, networking, public speaking and interview skills. There is no swimsuit competition! Sponsor McWire Electric will be donating a $2,000 College Scholarship to Miss La Mesa 2015 and Miss Santee 2015. Miss Teen La Mesa and Miss Teen Santee will also receive a scholarship of $500 or more in addition to a generous prize package. The contestants will be scored on personal interview, speech, poise and personality, evening gown, and on-stage impromptu question. Pageant photographers will present the Miss Photogenic award, contestants will vote for the Miss Congeniality award and a local educator will choose a winner for our essay-writing contest. Pageant winners will receive the once in a lifetime opportunity to serve as an ambassador for their city and attend grand openings, parades, summer concerts and chamber functions throughout the year. Interested contestants are encouraged to attend Orientation on Sunday February 8th at Santee City Hall building 8 from 12-4pm. Contestants will be accepted until Sunday, February 15, 2015. For additional information, including information on the Princess Program for girls’ ages 6-12, please contact pageant Director, Sierra Billock, at 619-672-0688 or visit www.4PointsEvents.com More information: www.4PointsEvents.com www.facebook.com/MissLaMesaandMissSantee www.facebook.com/MissSDCities