DADDY’S DYIN’, WHO’S GOT THE WILL? LAMPLIGHTERS REVIEW – TEXAS-SIZED FUN THRU SEPTEMBER 17
By Kathy Carpenter Freelance Writer www.splashmags.com September 2, 2017 (La Mesa) — Magnetic. Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got The Will, by Del Shores, master of Texas comedies, draws you in like sweet potato pie at Thanksgiving. This Lamplighters Theatre production has lots of rich characters–sweet and naughty. It’s not as funny as I thought, but my days are long. I loved being a fly on the wall of the Turnover home for a couple hours. The story takes place in the living room/dining room of the Turnover farmhouse, one half mile outside Lowake (Lo-way-kee). Texas. I love Texas comedies. The characters are so great. I often wonder if Texans feel the same. Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got The Will is no exception. Director Jerry Plato says the show was difficult to cast because so many people showed up. Decisions might have been hard, but he made the right ones. This cast of eight made the perfect Turnover family, plus one. Daddy Turnover has a heat attack and is coming home from the hospital. He isn’t expected to live long, and his children gather to take up watch. We watch as these wonderful characters captivate us and make us part of their world. My favorite character was Murlene, played by Shannon O’Brien. Perhaps she’s the one I identified with most. Sweet, unappreciated and not realizing she wanted more. Shannon was adorable. A close second was Bill Shore (no relation) as Harmony. He was a master as the non-family member. Mama Wheelis, the head of the family, is played by Sandy Hotchkiss. She’s right at home. Lurlene, played by Cheryl Livingston, the religious one of the family, is such a natural in these type of roles. Steve Murdock, playing Orville, was outstanding. I did not even recognize him. Devi Noel played the loose Evelita and brought spunk to the family. Christine McCay played Sara Lee and Paul Uhler brought Daddy Buford to life–a difficult role, acting in you own world. Beat the September heat with a night at the theatre. www.lamplightersLaMesa.com Lamplighters Community Theatre 5915 Severin Dr. La Mesa Fridays and Saturdays 8 p.m. Sundays 2 p.m. now thru September 17 Coming Next: The Tin Woman – A story with a little more heat Oct.13- Nov. 5
BLACKWATER FOUNDER ACCUSED OF MURDER
By Miriam Raftery Photo, left: Erik Prince, Blackwater founder September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Blackwater founder Erik Prince has been “implicated in murder,” the Nation reports. The article, written by journalist and author Jeremy Scahill, indicates that sworn statements filed in Federal Court on August 3rd allege that the private military company’s founder, Erik Prince launched a “crusade” to eliminate Muslims and Islam.Many East County residents will recall meeting Scahill, who visited Potrero and San Diego back in 2007. Scahill came to warn local residents about serious ethical issues involving Blackwater, which was aiming to build a paramilitary training camp in a valley in Potrero. The Nation article reports that a former Blackwater employee and an ex-Marine who worked as a security operative for Blackwater both made explosive allegations in sworn statements claiming that Prince may have murdered or facilitated the murder of people who were cooperating with federal authorities investigating the company. Their identities are being kept secret for their own protection. They also allege that Prince seems to eliminate Muslims worldwide and further, that Prince’s companies including Blackwater “encouraged and rewarded the destruction of Iraqi life.” Prince declined repeated requests for comment from the Nation. In 2014, four former Blackwater guards were found guilty of charges including murder and manslaughter for their roles in the Nissour Square massacre in Iraq, the New York Times reported. Photo, right: Jeremy Scahill During his visit to Potrero in 2007, Scahill called Blackwater’s record “disturbing.” He also told local residents, “This is a very powerful company engaged in a private war…Tomorrow it could be any other community in any other state.” He praised local citizens for an “uprising” that he believed caught Blackwater by surprise. East County Magazine founder Miriam Raftery covered Blackwater’s efforts to establish a paramilitary training camp in Potrero for multiple publications a decade ago. Many local officials spoke out to voice grave concerns about Blackwater at that time. Then-Congressman Bob Filner, in an interview on Democracy Now! aired nationally, said of Blackwater, ““Their mercenaries in Iraq are unaccountable to any law there, and they have taken people out who have been accused of murder,” he said. “They have not been upfront with relatives of some of the contractors who were killed. So, this is not a company you want in your backyard.” Former Congressman Lionel Van Deerlin agreed. In a strongly worded editorial in the San Diego Union-Tribune, he wrote, “… the operation Blackwater intends would be like taking ‘Evangeline’s’ forest primeval and turning it over to a Hitler panzer corps. The din of gunfire alone – from eight rifle and three pistol ranges – would reverberate like Coney Island’s target concessions on a Sunday afternoon.” Scahill also spoke of Prince’s wealthy family ties, including his sister, Betsy DeVos, Amway heiress and now Secretary of Education under President Donald Trump. The uprising by residents of Potrero, a sleepy rural town of only around 800 residents, ultimately led to a recall election against all five Potrero Community Planning Group members who had voted for the Blackwater project. Jan Hedlun, newly elected planning group member who led efforts to oust Blackwater, was the only one not facing recall. During a San Diego County Planning Commission meeting, one planner didn’t show up and resigned the next day, after revealing that a car bomb had been placed beneath his wife’s car but fortunately no one was injured. Who planted the bomb was never determined. Not even the 2007 Harris Fire, which destroyed much of Potrero, could dissuade residents from casting their votes to successfully recall all of the pro-Blackwater community planning group members. Town members followed ballot boxes down to the County Registrar of Voters to observe the vote count and held a joyful celebration as results were read off paper ballots, since the County’s voting machines had been decertified by the State’s Registrar and new ones had not yet arrived for that special election. Residents and the Sierra Club also held press conferences and led a march through the Hauser federal wilderness area adjacent to the site, drawing national and international media to East County including CNN, the New York Times and Al Jazeera. Although planning group votes are only advisory and Supervisors could have over-ridden the decision, Blackwater opted to pull out, claiming it was too expensive to meet noise requirements though those had not changed since the project’s inception. Residents held a town-wide celebration with a live band and dancing in the Potrero County Park for defeating Blackwater, or what Scahill’s book called “the world’s most powerful mercenary army.” Given the recent allegations against Blackwater’s founder, Eric Prince, those local residents today are no doubt relieved that their efforts were successful–and that they don’t have Blackwater as their neighbor here in San Diego’s East County. Photo: Carl Meyer, a farmer who launched the effort to recall Potrero planners, was later elected Planning Group Chair.
RAINS POSSIBLE, FREE SANDBAGS AVAILABLE
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office September 1, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Even though the region’s heat wave continues, the National Weather Service is predicting San Diego County residents could see heavy rains, winds and thunderstorms this weekend, mainly on Sunday. That means it’s a good time to check to see if you need any sandbags to help protect your home and property from the weather. San Diego County’s Department of Public Works, the San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE continue to offer free sand and/or bags at numerous spots around the county. People should call and check on the locations listed before going, because different locations are offering sand and bags, just bags or are asking people to bring shovels with them to put sand into the bags themselves. Here is the list of locations: Sand and Bags Bonita/Sunnyside: 4900 Bonita Road. Bonita, CA 91902 P: 619-479-2346 Boulevard: 40080 Ribbonwood Road, Boulevard, CA 91905 P: 619-390-2020 De Luz: 39524 Daily Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-728-3140 *(Not staffed 24/7) De Luz: 39431 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-728-2422 Fallbrook: 4375 Pala Mesa Drive, Fallbrook, CA 92028 P: 760-723-2024 Lakeside River Park Conservancy:12108 Industry Road, Lakeside CA 92040 P: 619-443-4770 *(Closed over the weekend) Julian: 1587 Highway 78, Julian, CA 92036 P: 760-765-0511 Palomar Mountain: 21610 Crestline Road, Palomar Mtn., CA 92060 P: 760-742-3701 Ramona: 3410 Dye Road, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-0107 Ramona: 24462 San Vicente Road, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-9465 Rincon: 16971 Highway 76, Pauma Valley, CA 92061 P: 760-742-3243 Valley Center: 28205 N. Lake Wohlford Road, Valley Center, CA 92082 P: 760-751-7605 Warner Springs: 35227 Highway 79, Warner Springs, CA 92086 P: 760-782-9113 Bags Only: Alpine: 1364 Tavern Road, Alpine, CA 91901 P: 619-445-2635 Deer Springs: 1321 Deer Springs Road, San Marcos, CA 92069 P: 760-741-5512 Campo: 31577 Highway 94, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5516 Campo (Lake Morena): 29690 Oak Drive, Campo, CA 91906 P: 619-478-5960 Deer Springs: 8709 Circle R Drive, Escondido, CA 92026 P: 760-749-8001 Deer Springs: 10308 Meadow Glen Way East, Escondido, CA 92026 P: 760-751-0820 Descanso: 9718 River Road, Descanso, CA 91916 P: 619-445-4731 Dulzura: 17304 Highway 94, Dulzura, CA 91917 P: 619-468-3391 Jamul (Deerhorn): 2383 Honeysprings Road, Jamul, CA 91935 P: 619-468-3030 Ocotillo Wells: 5841 Highway 78, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 P: 760-767-7430 Portrero: 25130 Highway 94, Potrero, CA 91963 P: 619-478-5544 Ramona (Witch Creek): 27330 Highway 78, Ramona, CA 92065P: 760-789-1448 Ramona: 829 San Vicente Road, Ramona, CA 92065 P: 760-789-8914 Ranchita: 37370 Montezuma Valley Road, Ranchita, CA 92066 P: 760-782-3467 *(Not staffed 24/7) Rain can cause flooding and erosion, especially in areas that are not covered by landscaping, grass, trees, shrubs and other plants. Rain runoff can sweep soil, mud and debris downstream, and damage homes, clog storm drains, culverts and flood and damage roadways. Using sandbags properly can help direct waters away from homes and properties. People who have slopes on their land can use mulch, or terrace their slopes and plant groundcovers and shrubs to keep them from eroding. For more information about how to prepare for potential flooding, go to the County Office of Emergency Services Flooding webpage. You may also want to check out this how-to video, “You’ve Got Your Sandbags, Now What?” that explains how to properly fill and use sandbags to protect your property.
CAL FIRE HELICOPTER ASSIGNED TO “BORDER” FIRE MAKES HARD LANDING
East County News Service September 1, 2017 (Dulzura) – A Cal Fire helicopter assigned to firefighting on the Border Fire south of Dulzura today made a hard landing in a field adjacent to the brush fire. The pilot was the sole occupant on board and did not suffer any injuries, Cal Fire reports. Aviation experts are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the hard landing. Cal-Fire’s fleet of 12 UH-1H helicopters were acquired from the U.S. Army back in 1981 and are used for fast, rapid attack on fires as well as for hoist rescues. More information on CAL FIRE’S aviation program can be found here: http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/downloads/fact_sheets/Copter.pdf
ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: EAGLES POUND NORSEMEN IN BATTLE OF EL CAJON
Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type “Sports” on the donation line! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Does your son or daughter play a sport at a level other than varsity? Comment on this story or tweet @ECMagSports to request coverage! Story and photos by Liz Alper September 1, 2017 (El Cajon) – ECM Friday Night Lights traveled to Granite Hills this week for the first Battle of El Cajon of the season as the Eagles and the Norsemen of Valhalla went head to head. As hot as the Eagles are, they are 0-1 to start the season. The Norsemen, meanwhile, are off to a good start at 1-0. Whatever Kellen Cobbs is teaching the Eagles about possession, it’s working. The Eagles controlled the ball for most of the first quarter and were rewarded with a touchdown when senior quarterback Jacob Siegfried punched it in. Add the extra point and the Eagles led 7-0. Siegfried ran it in again for the score in the second quarter as the Eagles strung together another dominant drive with excellent ball movement that allowed them to go up 14-0. Another touchdown secured the fact that the Eagles were absolutely pounding on the Norsemen, leading 21-0. Valhalla got on the board just before the quarter ended. Senior Ty Schimke caught a screen pass and ran it in for the score. The Norsemen tacked on a two-point conversion and trailed 21-8 at the half. Valhalla’s Bryan Madriz tacked on a field goal late in the third to trail 21-11. But the Eagles pulled further away in the fourth with another touchdown to make it 28-11. Senior running back David Gonzalez added another six points on the ground and though the extra point was no good, the Eagles continued their clawing of Valhalla, leading 34-11. Madriz ran it from Valhalla’s 31 yard line to the opposite end zone to give the Norsemen a little bit of a spark, but the Eagles put it out quickly as they dominate the Norsemen in a 34-17 victory. Both teams move to 1-1 on the season. Next week, the Eagles host the Cougars of Steele Canyon. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. on the blue turf. As for the Norsemen, they travel to Spring Valley for a contest with the Mount Miguel Matadors. Kickoff at the Mount is at 7:00 p.m.
SDSU WOMEN’S SOCCER DEFEATS CROSSTOWN FOE USD 3-1
Arnarsdottir scores twice to lead Aztecs Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 1, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego State received three goals from two true freshman to down crosstown foe San Diego, 3-1, Friday night at SDSU Sports Deck. The Aztecs improved to 2-3 on the season, while the Toreros remained winless in four tries. “I’m happy with the result, to get the win and to score three goals,” head coach Mike Friesen said. “I thought we played well and played together. It was a good group performance. I was a little disappointed to give up the goal so easily and not make them earn it a little more, but it was a good finish on their part. It was nice to see our team respond and score some nice goals at the end and create lots of good chances.” The first 29 minutes was a feeling-out process that featured just three shots, the first two of which were harmless USD attempts and one from Mia Root that took an incredible effort from Amber Michel to stop. As the game moved into the 30th minute, San Diego turned the ball over at midfield and it found its way to Esther Arnarsdottir, who beat a defender and ultimately beat Michel in a one-on-one situation to put the Aztecs up, 1-0. The lead, however, was short-lived. After the Toreros put the ball in play, the action moved to the right side of the pitch where an SDSU miscommunication took place at the upper right corner of the box and the result landed on the foot of Summer Mason. The midfielder crossed the ball to the other side where Kelley Carusa scored the equalizer. San Diego State held the lead for a total of 17 seconds and went into halftime tied, 1-1. Once the second half began, SDSU did not take long to move past USD. Seven seconds before the clock hit 50:00, Rachel Speros found herself alone 24 yards out and fed Arnarsdottir, who tickled the twice from 15 yards away. San Diego State continued to dominate the ball as the clock moved toward 90 minutes. The Aztecs received an insurance goal in the 84th minute when Angela Mitchell connected with Mia Root, who posted her first career collegiate goal. Root led all players with four shots and three shots on goal. At the end of regulation, San Diego State owned a 10-5 advantage in shots and put seven of its attempts on goal, compared to USD’s three. The Toreros, however, enjoyed a 7-4 cushion in corner kicks, with all seven coming in the second half. The decision avenged last season’s 2-0 road defeat to USD and was SDSU’s fourth straight series win at home. San Diego State is now 5-0-1 all-time vs. San Diego at home and owns a 10-6-1 all-time record vs. the Linda Vista school. SDSU will now prepare for a stretch of three straight away games, which starts next Friday, Sept. 8 at No. 14 Nebraska. The game will air on BTN Plus at 5:00 p.m. Box
ECM PADRES REPORT: KERSHAW, LAMET STRONG, BUT DODGERS DOWN PADRES 1-0
Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Type “Sports” on the donation line! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story by Liz Alper Photo: despite the loss, Dinelson Lamet pitched phenomenally, striking out 10. Via @Padres on Twitter September 1, 2017 (San Diego) – The Padres are probably excited it’s September because it won’t be long till the offseason, but Clayton Kershaw dropped into Petco Park tonight to kill the vibe, along with the rest of the Dodgers. Dinelson Lamet took the hill for the Padres against him. Surprisingly, we were deadlocked for a while until the sixth when–predictably–Chase Utley singled to score Justin Turner and the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead. Unsurprisingly, that was all they needed to win in a great battle from both pitchers. A rare Saturday doubleheader is tomorrow. Game one is at 12:40 p.m. and game two is at 7:10 p.m. Brock Stewart starts for the Dodgers against Clayton Richard in game one and Yu Darvish starts for the Dodgers against a new face for the Padres, Jordan Lyles.
SDSU SWIMMING AND DIVING ANNOUNCES 2017-18 SCHEDULE
SDSU opens season with dual meet at USD on Sept. 15 Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 1, 2017 (San Diego) – The San Diego State swimming and diving team as announced its 2017-18 schedule, featuring six events at the Aztec Aquaplex. The Aztecs begin the season on Sept. 15 with a dual meet at the University of San Diego. The Aztecs see a travel-heavy start to the campaign, with SDSU competing at Nevada, Pepperdine, Fresno State, UC Davis and USC to start the year. SDSU competes in the Nevada Relays hosted in Reno, Nev., on Sept. 30, and the SDSU divers will make the trip up I-5 to compete in the Trojan Invite from Nov. 10-12. SDSU will see its first action at the Aztec Aquaplex with the A3 Invitational from Nov. 16-18. Although the event will take place on the SDSU campus, UC San Diego serves as the official hosts for the annual swim-only event. The Aztecs close 2017 with three consecutive home events, including a dual meet against Pepperdine and UCSD on Dec. 1, a dual meet against Air Force and Cal Poly on Dec. 22, and a dual meet against Oregon State on Dec. 30. The transition to 2018 begins with another home meet, hosting Fresno State, Colorado State, and New Mexico on Jan. 8. Divers will compete at the UCLA Diving Invite from Jan. 12-14. SDSU then finishes the 2017-18 regular season at home with a senior meet against USD on Jan. 19. The Mountain West Championships take place in San Antonio, Texas, from Feb. 14-17, as the Aztecs will look to build on a second-place finish last year. The Zone E Diving Championships take place March 5-7, in Flagstaff, Ariz., and the NCAA Championships occur one week later in Columbus, Ohio, from March 14-16.
SDSU VOLLEYBALL SPLITS TWO MATCHES AT SPARTAN INVITE ON FRIDAY
Aztecs fall to No. 23 Michigan State, rebound with sweep of TAMU-CC Source: goaztecs.com Photo courtesy goaztecs.com September 1, 2017 (East Lansing, Mich.) – The San Diego State volleyball team employed a balanced offense and timely runs to defeat Texas A&M-Corpus Christi in three sets (25-19, 25-18, 25-18) Friday in the second match of the Spartan Invitational at Jenison Fieldhouse. With the victory, the Aztecs overcame a 3-0 sweep (17-25, 14-25, 17-25) earlier in the day at the hands of No. 23 Michigan State, improving to 2-3 on the season. Against TAMU-CC (1-3), SDSU posted a season-high .344 hitting percentage and eight service aces despite a 7.0-3.0 deficiency in total blocks. Five Aztecs finished with six or more kills, including Deja Harris (.643) and Baylee Little (.529), who blasted 10 put-aways each, while Hannah Turnlund contributed seven for the match. The SDSU attack also featured Alexis Cage (7 kills, .600) and Ashlynn Dunbar (6 kills, .455), while Devyn Pritchard anchored the back row with a season-high 16 digs to go with two aces. In addition, both Aztec setters saw significant action, with Indigo Thompson handing out 23 assists, while Gabi Peoples finished with 15 helpers of her own. Conversely, SDSU limited the Islanders to a .205 hitting percentage while maintaining a 39-31 advantage in digs. Save for a 1-1 tie, the Aztecs never trailed in set number one, building a 7-2 bulge following consecutive aces by Pritchard. Corpus Christi responded with four consecutive points, but the Scarlet and Black maintained the upper hand by fashioning a 4-0 spurt of its own, capped by an Islander attack error. Shortly thereafter, TAMU-CC trimmed the margin to 14-12 thanks to a kill by Kristyn Nicholson. However, SDSU stood firm, engineering a 9-3 run to take a commanding 23-15 lead. Turnlund and Alexandra Psoma knocked down two kills apiece during that stretch, while Peoples served up an ace. Moments later, the Aztecs secured the frame when Peoples fed Little for the clinching kill. The second stanza was a closely contested affair that witnessed five ties and two lead changes. SDSU found itself on the wrong side of a 14-11 score after a combined block by Brittany Gilpin and Rachel Young followed by an errant Aztec attack. Unfazed, SDSU quickly turned the tables, uncorking a decisive 14-4 run to close out the set. Dunbar put the Aztecs up for good at 17-16 with a kill and promptly joined forces with Harris on a block. Psoma soon followed with a pair of kills, while Little came through once again with consecutive put-aways for the final two points. The Aztecs held the Islanders to a .094 hitting percentage in the middle set, allowing just eight kills on 15 attempts with five errors. The third frame witnessed four ties early on including a 5-5 deadlock, before Dunbar put SDSU ahead to stay with a kill, while TAMU-CC’s Morgan Williams followed with a wayward swing. The Islanders claimed the next point to pull within one, but the Aztecs came through with another timely run, unleashing a 12-3 flurry to grab an insurmountable 19-8 advantage. Little launched four kills during that span, while Turnlund chipped in two. The Islanders pulled to within 21-16 on a Madison Green kill, but two kills by Harris down the stretch helped snuff out the rally. SDSU hit .467 for the set, notching 18 kills on 30 swings with just four errors. Earlier in the day, San Diego State had its hands full against a Michigan State squad that outhit the Aztecs .347-.099 and maintained a 10.0-4.0 advantage in total blocks. Individually, SDSU received a team-high nine kills from Psoma, while Turnlund recorded eight put-aways of her own. In addition, Pritchard led all players with 12 digs, while Thompson dished out 20 assists. The Aztecs forged a 4-2 lead in the opening set thanks to a Psoma kill and a Harris service ace. However, the Spartans responded with a 9-0 surge to seize control of the frame at 11-4. Rachel Minarick and Megan Tompkins sparked the run with two kills each, while Brooke Kranda added an ace. MSU (3-1) eventually increased its advantage to 20-10 after Kranda and Alyssa Garvelink combined on a block. SDSU countered with a 7-4 spurt, capped by Turnlund’s joint block with Little, which narrowed the gap to 24-17. However, the Scarlet and Black’s faint comeback hopes were quickly extinguished on the ensuing point when Holly Toliver registered the clinching kill for the Spartans. The Aztecs kept things close early in the second stanza as a Turnland kill drew the visitors even at 4-4. However, the Spartans unleashed a 19-5 blitz to break the score open. Toliver keyed the outburst with four kills, while Garvelink added two and assisted on a block. SDSU received a pair of kills by Psoma and Turnlund down the stretch, but the deficit proved too much to overcome. The Aztecs were unable to generate any momentum in the third set, falling behind 13-2. SDSU twice cut the margin to six, including a 16-10 spread following a Spartan block error, but could draw no closer the rest of the way. MSU was paced by Kranda’s match-high 10 kills, while Toliver and Autumn Bailey contributed eight apiece. Garvelink, who also hit .500 for the match seven kills, led all players with five block assists, while Minarick (five kills, .833) handed out 26 assists. San Diego State wraps up the Spartan Invitational on Saturday when it faces Marshall, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. ET. AMCC-SDSU box SDSU-MSU box
SDG&E ACTIVATES REDUCE YOUR USE REWARDS PROGRAM TODAY
Customers are encouraged to save energy to earn a bill credit September 1, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) has called a Reduce Your Use Rewards event for today, Friday, Sept. 1, due to continued hot weather throughout the region causing a rise in electric demand. To reduce strain on the electric grid, SDG&E is encouraging customers to reduce their energy use between 11 a.m.–6 p.m. By doing so, those who are signed up for the program will be eligible to earn a bill credit of $.75 per kilowatt hour saved or $1.25 credit per kilowatt hour saved with enabling technology, like a smart thermostat. If you’re not on the Reduce Your Use rewards program, it’s not too late to join. While SDG&E has secured sufficient electricity supplies and does not anticipate any issues serving the needs of our customers, conditions may change anytime due to unexpected situations that may be out of SDG&E’s control. Here are some quick tips to help customers save energy at home: • Use a ceiling or portable fan instead of A/C if possible. • Central air conditioning is one of the biggest energy users. Try to set your thermostat at 78 degrees when you’re home, health permitting. • Pre-cool your home: Run your A/C early in the morning to pre-cool your home. Close blinds, shades or drapes to block out the sun’s heat. • Run major appliances early in the morning or late at night. • Power down equipment. Unplug TV, cable, DVD or gaming devices when idle, or use a smart power strip. • Turn off pool pumps between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. How much do you need to save to earn a bill credit? SDG&E will look at your last five days of electricity use before a Reduce Your Use Rewards day and takes an average from the three highest-use days. Electric consumption must be below that average to earn a credit. Log-on to My Account to see your average and how much you’ll need to save to earn a bill credit. Visit sdge.com/reduceuse for information on how to sign up for the program. WHEN: TODAY, Sept. 1, 2017 11 a.m.–6 p.m.: Save energy and earn a bill credit.