DOG RECOVERING AFTER FALL OFF BRIDGE IN LEMON GROVE
Printer-friendly version East County News Service March 14, 2015 (Lemon Grove) –A dog that fell 30 to 40 feet off a bridge in Lemon Grove is recovering and will soon be up for adoption. The 5-year-old mixed breed dog was running loose on State Route 125 on February 28th when she jumped off the bridge. People below tried to catch her, but she suffered a severely fractured hind leg and a collapsed lung. A County Animal Control officer took the dog to an emergency veterinary hospital. The next day she was x-rayed at the County’s animal care facility in Bonita, where her injuries were diagnosed. The dog, aptly named Hope, was transferred to a veterinary hospital, where her injuries were treated thanks to a $5,000 donation from the department’s Spirit Fund. Hope recovered enough to return to the County Animal Shelter and on Friday 13th, she was transferred to It’s the Pits Rescue, which is caring for Hope as she continues to recover. The rescue group posted on its Facebook page, “She is doing very well but has a long road ahead.” The group aspires to place Hope up for adoption and find her a forever home in the near future. Printer-friendly version
BOOT DRIVE A SUCCESS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service March 14, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Firefighters took to the streets on March 4th during the annual “Boot Drive”, raising money for the San Diego Burn Institute. Countywide, those smiling firefighters raised over $175,000. The money will help send children who are burn victims to Camp Beyond the Scars, and will also be used for burn prevention activities through the Burn Institute. Printer-friendly version
LA MESA WAR MEMORIAL VANDALIZED
Printer-friendly version March 15, 2015 (La Mesa) – A war memorial in La Mesa has been vandalized for the second time in two years. The memorial is located next to the Veterans of Foreign Wars hall. On Monday, 10 News reports that last week, vandals tried to pry off two metal plaques honoring East County Vietnam veterans. Back in 2013, thieves did steal two plaques, which were replaced with help from community donations. Oresta Johnson’s father was the stone mason who built the memorial 45 years ago. She called the vandalism “disheartening” and noted that the plaques do not have much monetary value. But they do have great emotional value for the families of loved ones who gave their lives for their country. Johnson told 10 News that La Mesa’s memorial was built to honor all who sacrificed their lives, adding that it’s “cherished by so many people.” The La Mesa Police Department is investigating this crime. Meanwhile, families hope new security cameras in the area will deter future vandals. The memorial was created by the Heartland Youth for Decency group back in 1970, which was started by Ellis and Virginia Evers and included many local high school students. It was among the first memorials in the nation to honor veterans of the Vietnam conflict. Donations to help maintain the monument may be made to the Heartland Youth for Decency organization, which has a website at www.hyfd.org. Printer-friendly version
BIPARTISAN SENATE BILL WOULD REFORM MARIJUANA LAWS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 15, 2015 (Washington D.C.) –Legislation introduced this week in the Senate would protect patients, doctors and clinics from federal prosecution in states where medical marijuana is legal. The bill would also allow Veterans Affairs physicians to recommend medical cannabis in those states. In addition, the bill would reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II, opening the door for research on medical benefits. Marijuana is currently classified as a Schedule I drug reserved for substances with no medical benefits, in the same category as heroin. The bipartisan bill is sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Rand Paul (R-Ky.), and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.). The measure would not legalize marijuana in states where medical marijuana is still banned. At present, 23 states have legalized medical marijuana and four have legalized recreational uses as well. About a dozen more have legalized a form of marijuana for medical use that has low levels of THC, the psychoactive ingredient. Sale or use of non-medical marijuana would remain illegal under federal law, though the Obama administration has told prosecutors not to target such operations in states where the activities are legal. Another bill, however, has been introduced in the House that would go farther. Democratic Congressional members Jared Polis of Colorado and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon have authored a measure that would remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and regulate it similar to alcohol. A CBS News poll in January 2014 found that 86% of Americans believe medical marijuana should be legal for doctors to prescribe, while for the first time in the poll’s history, a majority – 51%, said they believe all marijuana should be legalized. Moreover, nearly two thirds–62% of those polled— say that legalization of marijuana should be up to the states—not the federal government. Printer-friendly version
U.S. INSTALLS 6.2 GW OF SOLAR PV IN 2014, UP 30% OVER 2013
Printer-friendly version March 15, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – The nation is warming up to solar power. Solar accounted for 32 percent of all new generating capacity in the U.S. in 2014, beating out both wind energy and coal for the second year in a row. Only natural gas had a bigger share of new generating capacity. That’s according to a new study out from the Solar Energy Industries Association and GTM Research. The report, titled U.S. Solar Market Insight 2014 Year in Review found that new solar photovoltaic capacity grew 30%, last year, reached a record, 6,201 megawatts. In addition, 767 megawatts of concentrating solar power came online. In 2014, for the first time in history, each of the three major U.S. market segments – utility, commercial and residential – installed more than a gigawatt (GW) of PV solar. The U.S. utility-scale segment broke the GW mark in 2011 and has since grown by nearly 1 GW annually. In 2014, 3.9 GW of utility-scale PV projects came on-line with another 14 GW of projects currently under contract. Rhone Resch, president of the Solar Energy Industries Association, says growth was fueled by the solar investment tax credit. Today the U.S. solar industry has more employees than tech giants Google, Apple, Facebook and Twitter combined. Since the ITC was passed in 2006, more than 150,000 solar jobs have been created in America, and $66 billion has been invested in solar installations nationwide. Nationwide, there’s now 20 gigawatts of solar capacity installed – enough to power 4 million U.S. homes and reduce harmful carbon emissions by 20 million metric tons a year. GTM Research forecasts the U.S. PV market to grow 31 percent in 2015. The utility segment is expected to account for 59 percent of the forecasted 8.1 GW of PV. For more information, visit http://www.seia.org/research-resources/us-solar-market-insight/about . Printer-friendly version
SILVER LININGS TRANSITIONS… HELPS PUT A “SPRING” IN STEPS OF PEOPLE WITH MOBILITY CHALLENGES
Printer-friendly version March 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) — Spring is a time of fresh beginnings. Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, new animals are being born. For local seniors in wheelchairs or using canes or walkers, it’ll be an opportunity to decorate their largest accessory and celebrate life. On March 31 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Silver Linings Transitions and their team of volunteers will be at Temple Solel at 3575 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea “blinging out” wheel chairs, canes and walkers in exchange for a donation of any amount. All proceeds from the event will be distributed to Interfaith Community Services and Jewish Family Services to support their programs for underprivileged seniors. Then on April Fool’s Day (April 1) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the team will be at Temple Adat Shalom 15905 Pomerado Road, Poway. The Silver Linings Transitions team who assists anyone with the task of moving, downsizing or organizing will be doing a craft drive to repurpose silk flowers, ribbons and other decorations finding a home for items that would be discarded during “spring cleaning” and keeping these items out of landfills. To make a monetary donation or to donate items for decorating, contact Jami Shapiro, Owner of Silver Linings Transitions at 858 522-9518. You can also visit www.SilverLiningsTransitions.com Every day for the next 16 years, 10,000 baby boomers will turn 65 years-old and many of these seniors will need to transition into new housing and on the other end of the spectrum research shows that going back to work after having children presents unique challenges for mothers. Now there’s a local company addressing both of these life transitions. Carlsbad mom and longtime realtor, Jami Shapiro, announces the launch of Silver Linings Transitions, a senior move management company, that helps people find the “Silver Lining” in their new living arrangements. Seeing the need for services that support the aging Baby Boomer population, Jami Shapiro, Owner of Silver Linings Transitions and herself a one-time stay-at-home mother, decided her senior move management company could do more by serving both groups. As seniors lose their independence due to declining health, moving or home modifications become necessary for them to remain safe. Seniors who chose to work with Silver Linings Transitions, benefit from home-makers helping them settle into their new surroundings while offering team members the opportunity to do meaningful work and make it to carpool. Silver Linings Transitions, a senior move management company, helps people find the “Silver Lining” in their new living arrangements. Whether it’s aging in place or moving to a smaller, easier to maintain home giving them more time to enjoy life or into an assisted living residence where they are free from cooking and washing dishes, Shapiro uses her own experience as a ten year cancer survivor to point out that aging is for the lucky. Recognizing the environmental impact of moving, Silver Linings Transitions strives to find homes for everything and re-uses whatever packing supplies can be re-used safely. This includes utilizing plastic bins and re-using boxes, and by packing “Moving Kits” shared with Interfaith Community Services. Participating clients who are downsizing allow the Silver Linings Transitions team to assemble and package together these kits from their discarded items. This includes sheets, towels, pots and pans and other necessities a person or family will need as they transition from shelters to their own homes. In 2001, Shapiro worked for a large corporation and was pregnant with her first child. She approached the company about job sharing or part time work, but was told “no”. She left the company and began a more than 10 year real estate career. While real estate offered, flexibility, working nights and weekends made it tough when her children were in school and no longer home during the day. Jami also had a strong desire to make a difference in the world and be a role model for her three daughters. Jami tells people “Silver Linings Transitions is the company for which I was looking to work.” Working as a Realtor, especially during the time people were losing their homes to foreclosure, gave her the empathy needed to work with seniors who often are leaving their homes (some by choice and some by necessity). She says much of juggling between selling a home and buying another one gave her the skills necessary to coordinate the move for seniors. So far more than 12 women have joined the Silver Linings Transitions team. The benefits of working for Silver Linings Transitions include career and management training, a collaborative working environment, flexible work schedules with most hours (except for move days) between 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., profit sharing and bonuses, and most importantly, fulfilling and meaningful work. Move management services include floor planning and space design for the new residence; sensitive and guided decisions in the sorting process including identifying the right charities for donations; mindful packing and unpacking with an environmental consciousness; photo organization and a meaningful way to honor and preserve the lifetime of memories created in their homes. For clients who remain in their homes, Silver Linings Transitions is able to help organize and de-clutter the home to improve safety. While Silver Linings Transitions specializes in seniors, they are able to help anyone transitioning from one home to the other. For more information visit www.silverliningstransitions.com Printer-friendly version
FOR THE BIRDS? PROPOSAL TO INCREASE PUBLIC ACCESS IN RAMONA GRASSLANDS DRAWS DIVERSE VIEWS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 15, 2015 (Ramona) – Should Ramona’s Grasslands Preserve be opened up for more public access? Congressman Duncan Hunter’s aide, Michael Harrison, said that more access should be a “very high priority” during a meeting of the Ramona Trails Association March 3rd, the Ramona Sentinel reports. Hunter’s office has been trying to persuade the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency to open up access in the Old Survey 97 area, a trail that could connect the Ramona Grasslands Preserve to the San Pasqual Valley and ultimately, the Coast to Crest Trail. The trail is currently closed to the public, except for docent-led programs. But the federal wildlife agency has voiced concerns over impacts on nesting golden eagles. The site is also home to bald eagles and endangered Stephens’ kangaroo rats. The County has done studies to monitor eagles in the area that it operates, hoping to persuade the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that more people using trails would not disturb eagles. San Diego County had also planned to build additional new trails just north of the Ramona airport. But those plans recently ran aground, halted after burrows occupied by an endangered kangaroo rat were discovered at the site. Printer-friendly version
BOEHNER SEEKS CONGRESSONAL PROBE OF CLINTON EMAILS
Printer-friendly version East County News Service March 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Speaker John Boehner plans to launch a Congressional investigation into the controversies surrounding former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s e-mails, ABC news reports. Clinton did not use an official government e-mail account, sending all of her e-mail through her own private server while she was Secretary of State. She and her staff have turned over 55,000 pages of emails to the State Department for archiving, upon request. But the former First Lady and likely presidential candidate has drawn criticism after revelations that she deleted over 30,000 emails that she claims were personal from her years heading up the State Department. Federal officials by law are supposed to retain all public records for posterity, and while use of private email was not illegal, it has more commonly been used only occasionally, not exclusively. Clinton’s actions raise questions over whether official documents or evidence could have been destroyed, as well as whether security of diplomatic communications could have been compromised. Republicans want Clinton to turn her server over to an independent arbiter. Congressman Trey Gowdy, chair of the House Select committee on Benghazi, wants to see subpoenas issued for Clinton’s emails. The House Oversight Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz has suggested that his panel could subpoena her if she is not cooperative in its investigation. While there are legitimate issues of concern, some Democrats have voiced concern that the Republican controlled House could have a partisan agenda to tarnish Clinton’s reputation, since she is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2016. Printer-friendly version
MOTORCYCLIST KILLED NEAR BORREGO
Printer-friendly version East County News Service March 16, 2015 (Borrego) – A motorcyclist lost control on a curve and veered into oncoming traffic on State Route 78 near Scissors Crossing Sunday, striking a Toyota Prius head-on, according to the California Highway Patrol. The crash occurred shortly before 3 p.m. between San Felipe Road and Yaqui Pass, in the Borrego Springs area. The accident shut down the highway temporarily. The rider was ejected and died at the scene, UT San Diego reports, citing Cal Fire. His name has not been released pending notification of family. Printer-friendly version
NASA FUNDING DEBATE TAKES SHAPE
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery March 15, 2015 (Washington D.C.)–Should NASA focus less of its money on planet earth, and more on distant stars and galaxies? That’s an argument of galactic proportions that’s shaping up in Congress. NASA has requested a 3% increase in its budget for the next year, seeking $18.5 billion total. Of that, only a little over 10%, is slated to go toward earth science programs such as satellites to monitor storms and climate changes, while 90% goes for space-oriented projects. Republican leaders, who don’t believe in global climate change, want NASA’s focus to shift toward more space exploration and not projects here on earth. Senator Cory Gardener, a Republican in Texas, asks derisively, “Are we focusing on the heavens in NASA or are we focusing on dirt in Texas?” But scientists are backing NASA. Christine MeEntee, head of the American Geophysical Union, has written that “Earth science within NASA provides a broad array of benefits and applications across the public and private sectors. For example, NASA has helped with response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. NASA satellites help track hurricanes, shrinking polar ice caps, and water levels in California. Those problems aren’t getting any smaller, despite some Congressional members’ desire to shrink the budget for studying these earthly concerns. Printer-friendly version