CHARGERS’ SWAIN GRADUATES FROM NAVY; DEFERS SERVICE AND WILL BE ABLE TO PLAY IN 2016
Printer-friendly version By Liz Alper Photo credit: DoD News on Flickr; Department of Defense Photo by Marv Lynchard May 27, 2016 (Annapolis, Md.) – Chargers’ rookie fullback Chris Swain has dedicated his life to two great American institutions; football and the military. He’s dedicating Memorial Day weekend to the latter. Today, Swain joined his fellow Midshipmen in graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy and being commissioned an officer. Swain’s Reserve paperwork is in the final stage of completion. When it’s done, he’ll enter the Navy as a Reserve and will be able to play for the Chargers for his rookie season in the NFL. Joe Cardona, an El Cajon native and New England Patriots rookie, was also waived. Swain was here earlier this month, but missed the start of organized team activities. He will be back in San Diego next week to continue OTAs and other training. Printer-friendly version
VOEPEL-TEORA ASSEMBLY RACE HEATS UP
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo from www.StopRandyVoepel.com, a site criticizing Voepel’s “insurgent” remarks suggesting he would be a political hit man for the GOP in Sacramento May 27, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – Santee Mayor Randy Voepel is facing some formidable opposition in his run for the 71st Assembly seat. An anonymous hit site, www.StopRandyVoepel.com, has posted audio of inflammatory statements made by Voepel—along with past tax lien documents on the self-proclaimed fiscal conservative’s home. Meanwhile his opponent, Tony Teora, a centrist Republican who leans Libertarian on some issues but green on climate change, has invested heavily in his campaign including freeway signs, newspaper ads and newsletters to voters. (Leo Hamel, a third candidate listed on the ballot, has withdrawn from the race.) Teora has told ECM that he is not behind the Stop Randy Voepel website. Voepel has failed to respond to ECM requests for comment on the site and has not responded to multiple requests for an interview on his candidacy. You hear our interview with Teora on his candidacy and read highlights here. “The big difference between Randy and I, is that Randy wants to go to Sacramento and just vote conservative; I want to go to Sacramento and fight to create smart legislation (or rescind laws) to change people’s lives for the better,” Teora told ECM in an email this week. “A lot of that will be Libertarian and Conservative based legislation, but a lot will be whatever is smart to help the people of this state.” He adds, “ Also a BIG mistake of the party is lying to people about climate change. We need to be pro-active on that front, or millions will die,” says Teora, an electrical engineer, software company founder, data solutions manager for a bank and science fiction author. Teora’s goals if elected also include lowering taxes on businesses and families while supporting education; his endorsements include the California Faculty Association. The StopRandyVoepel site includes audio of Voepel, a former Marine and Viet Nam Veteran, speaking to a conservative group locally in which he describes himself as an ”insurgent” running solely to identify the weakest Democrat in the Assembly and use his second year in office to work toward knocking out that official. “I’m talking sniper politics …the best hit is when they get killed and they don’t even know who did it. So in politics, I’m an insurgent,” Voepel stated. The site’s operator has posted blog entires blasting Voepel for planning to “do nothing for the first year of his term” and not addressing needs of constituents in the district such as high taxes, unemployment, and drought impacts. “I want someone in the State Assembly who will represent the interests of me and my neighbors. Not play war games,” the blog states. The blogger also criticized Voepel’s punitive actions toward the homeless in Santee, stating,”We need a war on homelessness, not a war on the homeless.” The anti-Voepel site also attacks Voepel for boasting about Santee getting an “F” grade from theAmerican Lung Association for its pro-smoking ordinances. “Our brave hero can now add the fight FOR lung cancer to his battles…” the site snipes. The site also faults Voepel for responding to an autograph collector from China with a written rebuff that read in part, “I respectfully decline to cooperate in any way with what I consider to be an enemy of the United States. The People’s Republic of China is a repressive and evil communist regime,” he went on. The blog poster cited concerns over Voepel’s inability to separate individuals from their government. Printer-friendly version
LOCAL REPUBLICAN PARTY SNUBS TRUMP, WITHHOLDS ENDORSEMENT; SD DEMOCRATS MAKE DUAL ENDORSEMENT OF CLINTON AND SANDERS
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 27, 2016 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Republican Party’s list of endorsed candidates has a glaring omission at the top: there is no endorsement for President. Donald Trump, who visits San Diego today and this week won enough delegates to mathematically qualify to win the national Republican Party nomination, has been snubbed by the San Diego GOP. The inflammatory billionaire’s race-baiting rhetoric , flip-flopping on key conservative issues and boasting of marital infidelities have led many conservatives to indicate they would leave the top office blank on their ballot, or choose another option such as voting Libertarian or Democratic. The San Diego County Democratic Party, meanwhile, opted against choosing up sides and risking alienating supporters of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton or Senator Bernie Sanders. The local Democratic Party’s list of endorsed candidates lists both Clinton and Sanders. The New York Times reported two days ago that “California is up for grabs” with polls showing the two candidates in a virtual dead heat. Though Clinton is close to securing enough delegates for a majority nationwide, Sanders has been campaigning hard with rallies up and down the state, drawing tens of thousands of voters in most locations. Printer-friendly version
TRUMP SAYS HE WILL CANCEL PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT, CUT POLLUTION REGULATIONS TO BOOST USE OF OIL AND COAL
Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery May 26, 2016 (San Diego) – Today after clinching the number of delegates needed for the Republican nomination, billionaire Donald Trump gave a speech at a petroleum industry conference in North Dakota. There he told oil executives he would eliminate regulations on the fossil fuel industry and also weaken clean water protections, the Bismark Tribune reports. “We’re going to cancel the Paris Climate agreement,” he said of the United Nations Accord signed by over 195 nations. Promising “complete American energy independence” he vowed to roll back Obama administration limits on coal power plant emissions, global climate accord reached in Paris, approve the Keystone XL pipeline and rescind protection of waterways from industrial pollution. He has also called for an increase in fracking and has said he believes climate change is a hoax, despite 97% of climate scientists worldwide agreeing that climate change is real and caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Trump’s speech drew applause from the crowd of oil executives in North Dakota, an oil producing state, but later drew scathing criticisms from environmental interests. Some view his stances as frightening. Michael Brune, executive director of the Sierra Club, stated, ““There are pools of oil industry waste water that are deeper than Trump’s grasp of energy.” “Trump’s energy policies would accelerate climate change, protect corporate polluters who profit from poisoning our air and water, and block the transition to clean energy that is necessary to strengthen our economy and protect our climate and health,” said Tom Steyer, a billionaire environmental activist. His polices are in sharp contrast to both Democratic contenders, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, whose goals are generally to shift the U.S. to clean renewable energy sources such as solar and protect consumers from industrial pollution, though Clinton has been supportive of some fracking as a transitional phase. Both Democrats strongly support the Paris Climate accords, though Sanders has said he does not think it went far enough to stop potentially irreversible climate change. Printer-friendly version
TAKE A HIKE HONORING VETERANS THIS MEMORIAL DAY: WARRIOR CHALLENGE IN LAKESIDE MAY 30
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 26, 2016 (Lakeside) — Remember our service members this Memorial Day with an unforgettable ascent up El Capitan. The County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation will host the “Warrior Challenge” hike at El Capitan Preserve on Monday, May 30. The levels of hike are named to honor veterans’ sacrifice and service. El Capitan, also known as El Cajon Mountain, has the reputation of being one of San Diego County’s most challenging hikes with its rugged landscape, steep switchbacks and peaks featuring breathtaking views from the mountains to the ocean. But hikers of all abilities can enjoy the natural beauty of El Cajon Mountain by selecting one of three levels in this weekend’s Warrior Challenge. The “Boot Camp” level will give active families and beginning hikers a chance to enjoy a quick, steep climb to the ridge for a beautiful view of eastern San Diego. This trail is 2 miles round-trip. It should take approximately 1 hour. More skilled hikers can continue onto the next peak in the moderate “Recon” level. This trek is best suited for teens and adults in good shape. It is roughly 6 miles round-trip and should take 2 to 3 hours. Finally, experienced adventurers can traverse to the top of El Capitan in the “Warrior” level. This strenuous hike is just over 11 miles and includes multiple inclines and declines with several hundred feet of elevation gain and loss. It can take up to 7 hours. Both the Boot Camp and Recon-level hikes start between 8 and 11 a.m. at 13775 Blue Sky Road in Lakeside. The Warrior-level hike starts promptly at 8 a.m. Healthy refreshments will be available at turnaround points on the trail. Plus there’s a raffle. There is very little shade along the trail. Participants should wear sturdy hiking boots, sunscreen, and sunglasses or a hat. Hiking poles are encouraged. All hikers should bring plenty of water – Warriors should bring at least 1 gallon. Parking will be limited at the trailhead. Additional parking is available at nearby Oakoasis Preserve, located at 12620 Wildcat Canyon Road, and Louis Stelzer County Park, at 11470 Wildcat Canyon Road. County Parks staff will be on site to answer questions. For more information, call (858) 966-1331. Printer-friendly version
LAMPLIGHTERS PRESENTS NEIL SIMON’S “CHAPTER TWO” MAY 13 – JUNE 12
Printer-friendly version Review by Kathy Carpenter, Associate/Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) – Do you believe in second chances? Neil Simon’s plays are semi- biographical; for Simon, perfect love happened twice. In Chapter Two, it happens for George Schneider, who loses his wife an early death and Jennie Malone who married the wrong man. Blending the drama of life’s difficult times with love and laughter is not an easy story to write. Many storytellers have used this formula. Neil Simon was a pioneer who mastered the technique. Four actors brought this funny and heartwarming story of George and Jennie to life. These four portrayed Simon’s characters to a tee–believable and endearing. Steve Murdock played George, a writer who lost his wife, a man who does not want to move on. George Bailey plays his brother Leo, who is also married, but not so committed. He and Lolly Boroff, Jennie’s friend, do a wonderful job bringing the humorous moments to the play. Devi Noel plays Jennie. Devi and Steve do an excellent job of phone banter as they build their relationship. The production includes a nice, divided set with two New York apartments–different life styles for two different individuals, bringing a nice contrast as they come together. This show had a lot of short scenes followed by blackouts. I really love the music they played to keep the mood going. It’s all about the tone, and Larry Steckling, director, knows this well. This show finishes the season over at Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa, running May 13 through June 12. They will open their 79th season with The Dixie Swim Club on July 8th in a mid-summer play. For tickets for these plays and for Chapter Two, you can email boxoffice@lamplighterslamesa.com, visit lamplighterslamesa.com, or call 619-303-5092. Printer-friendly version
ROLLING OUT AT VIEJAS MAY 28: LARGEST OUTDOOR ROLLER RINK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 26, 2016 (Alpine) – The largest roller skating rink in Southern California will open this Saturday and remain open daily May 28 through September 5 at the Viejas Outlets in Alpine. Hours are Sunday-Thursday from 5-10 p.m., Friday-Saturday 5-11 p.m. (Weather Permitting) Prices: $13 12 Years and under, $15 Adults and Teens, $2 off for Military (must present ID), $2 Off-Groups of 10 or More. Skates provided, or get $2 off if you bring your own skates. Viejas Outlets are located at 5005 Willows Road, Alpine, CA 91901. www.viejas.com 619.659.2070 Printer-friendly version
WWII INTERNMENT OF JAPANESE-AMERICAN STUDENTS AT GROSSMONT HIGH: NEW EXHIBIT AT LA MESA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 26, 2016 (La Mesa) – AP students at Grossmont High School recently researched Japanese-American students who attended Grossmont and the impact that the 1942 internment of program had on their lives. Now the results of their efforts are on display in a special exhibit at the La Mesa Historical Society: May through September on the 2nd & 4th Saturday from 1-4pm: “WWII Internment and the Japanese-American Students of Grossmont High School.” The moving exhibit displays more than 10 years of El Recuerdos among other memorabilia. Printer-friendly version
“BROTHERS IN WAR” SCREENING MAY 28 IN LEMON GROVE
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 26, 2016 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Historical Society will be back in the Lemon Grove Library, 3001 School Lane, on May 28 at 2 p.m. with part II of its remembrance of the Vietnam War. The event honors our military on the Memorial Day weekend and is an opportunity to learn more about the war that many would prefer to forget, but that scarred an entire generation in both the U.S. and Vietnam. Please join us for a screening of “Brothers in War,” the feature documentary that captured the bloody reality of war in the Mekong Delta as experienced by American soldiers and the Vietnamese people. In a no-holds-barred factual recounting, the film includes the soldiers’ own audio and video, as well as archival footage of the conflict. The film is suitable for ages 18 and over and is screened by permission of the National Geographic Society and Lou Reda Productions. The Historical Society is proud to partner with head librarian Elizabeth Vagani and her team at the Lemon Grove Library for this special edition of The Remembrance Project. More information: 619-463-9819. Printer-friendly version
SPEEDING MOTORIST KILLED AFTER ROLLING DOWN EMBANKMENT OFF I-8
Printer-friendly version East County News Service May 26, 2016 (Boulevard) – A 24-year-old man died Saturday night, May 20th after he lost control of his vehicle on I-8 West near McCain Valley Road in Boulevard. The Infinity G35 veered off the highway and rolled down a steep embankment. Holden Tyler Mendoza of Brawley was ejected from the vehicle. California Highway Patrol officers reported to the crash site and confirmed his death at the scene at 10:50 p.m. The motorist was speeding prior to the crash, according to the CHP. Printer-friendly version