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SANTEE CHAMBER ANNOUNCES AWARDS FINALISTS

Printer-friendly versionOctober 1, 2009 (Santee)–The Santee Chamber of Commerce announces finalists for the 2009 Santee Chamber Awards Night, which will be held on October 16 at Barona Resort & Casino.     Small Business of the Year Finalists: Ronn Hall Insurance Services, Cookies By Design & Eccentric International Chefs   Medium Business of the Year Finalists: Michael’s Grill, Union Bank of

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RAMONA FIRE VICTIMS FIND A “VINE” WAY TO BUILD HOME THAT’S FIRE-SAFE & GREEN

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery    Zak Valade and his wife, Gina, lost their home in the 2007 Witch Creek fire. Now, they’re rebuilding a new home designed by famed architect Drew Hubbell,.constructed of fire-safe and energy efficient materials. They’ve also ripped out their avocado grove and planted a vineyard instead.   “Today, this is the new fire buffer,” Zak Valade

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BRUSH FIRE IN ESCONDIDO AREA ENDANGERS HOMES

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery Photo by Tracy Emblem   September 28, 2009 5:40 p.m. (Escondido) — A brush fire reported at 5:05 p.m. today at Bear Valley Parkway and San Pasqual Road has burned three to four acres, CAL-FIRE spokesperson Denise Kessel informed East County Magazine.   According to Incident Reporting Network, homes are in danger and air support was

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EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SDSU COMMUNITY

Printer-friendly version by SDSU President Stephen L. Weber   Sept. 21, 2009 (San Diego) — As  a direct result of devastating state budget cuts of $571 million, the California State University is reducing enrollment system-wide this year and next by 40,000 undergraduate students. Over the same period, San Diego State will be reducing its enrollment by 4,588 undergraduates.   These cuts

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VICTIM IDENTIFIED IN EL CAJON MOBILE HOME FIRE

Printer-friendly version  September 28, 2009 (El Cajon) – Karen Hunter was found dead following a fire in her mobile home that began shortly before 7 p.m. last night, the County Coroner’s office has confirmed. Heartland Dispatch received numerous calls about the fire at El Capitan Mobile Home Park, 1425 E. Madison Avenue.   El Cajon firefighters were cooking their dinner

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JERRY BROWN ADDRESSES DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION IN SAN DIEGO; ATTORNEY GENERAL CALLS FOR REFORMS, HINTS AT THROWING HAT IN RING FOR GOVERNOR’S RACE

Printer-friendly version By Miriam Raftery   September 27, 2009 (San Diego) – “Our state is in trouble,” former Governor and current Attorney General Jerry Brown said at the San Diego Grassroots Democratic Convention here yesterday. Massive deficits coupled with tax revenues drying up are crippling education and public safety, Brown suggested during his speech and in an interview with East

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TRIO OF REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR CANDIDATES ADDRESS STATE GOP CONVENTION

Printer-friendly version   Whitman takes heat for failure to vote for nearly 3 decades By Miriam Raftery   September 27, 2009 (Indian Wells) – Three Republican candidates vying for the California governorship offered contrasting views on how to revive the state’s ailing economy—and lobbed some pointed barbs at each other at this weekend’s state Republican convention.   In recent months,

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HEALTH CARE REFORM: CAN WE PASS THE FINAL HURDLE? OCT. 20 IN SAN DIEGO

Printer-friendly version  September 27, 2009 (San Diego) – Want to learn more about healthcare reform options?  San Diego’s League of Women Voters presents a luncheon featuring keynote speaker Gerald Kominski, Ph.D., professor at UCLA School of Public Health and Associate Director of the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Dr. Jeoffrey Gordon from California Physicians Alliance will also speak, summarizing the

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WHAT YOU DON’T KNOW ABOUT HEALTHCARE MAY HURT YOU

Printer-friendly version Ex-Senator Kuehl Leads New Effort to Win Healthcare for All Californians   By Miriam Raftery   September 27, 2009 (San Diego) –Speaking to the San Diego League of Women Voters last week, former state Senator Sheila Kuehl shared some startling facts: California law used to require insurance companies to be nonprofits.  Since that law changed, premiums have skyrocketed much faster than

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SLEEK AND GREEN: ECO-CAR SHOW POWERS UP DEMAND FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL VEHICLES

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery San Diego (June 12, 2009)—If you thought driving an eco-friendly car meant settling for a small, boxy vehicle, think again. Vehicles powered by alternative fuels on display at last weekend’s Street Smart San Diego show included sleek, sporty new styles, race cars, and electric conversions of prestigious name brand models. “We’re doing conversions,” said Michael Kadie

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HOW PREPARED IS EAST COUNTY FOR THE NEXT WILDFIRE? BUDGET CUTS BURN SOME LOCAL AGENCIES

Printer-friendly version   ”It’s outrageous and it’s irresponsible. That’s cold, that’s hard, that’s the truth. There are many other areas where life is not at stake.” –Leonard Villareal, San Miguel Fire District spokesman, on state budget cuts’ impact on fire protection.   An East County Magazine special report   By Miriam Raftery   June 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)

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LOCAL LEADERS SHARE REACTIONS TO PREJEAN LOSING MISS CALIFORNIA CROWN

Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Carrie Prejean, a senior at San Diego Christian College in El Cajon, has been dethroned as Miss California USA. Her turbulent reign, which weathered revelations of topless photos and a controversy over her statements opposing gay marriage, came to an end over the beauty queen’s alleged refusal to honor commitments for

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“CASH FOR CLUNKERS” VOUCHER BILL PASSES HOUSE; MEASURE AIMS TO REDUCE POLLUTION, SAVE JOBS AND FUEL

Printer-friendly versionLocal Representatives Split Votes By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–Three local representatives have voted in favor of a “cash for clunkers” program that will allow consumers to trade in their old, gas-guzzling cars for vouchers worth up to $4,500 to help people buy new, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save Act (HR 2751)

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EAST COUNTY’S LARGEST FREE HEALTHCARE FAIR SATURDAY JUNE 13

Printer-friendly versionJune 11, 2009 (La Mesa)–The public is invited to attend the 9th annual Summer Healthcare Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 13, at the Grossmont Center shopping mall, 5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa. Free health screenings will include diabetes, blood pressure and stroke prevention. Free information will be available on such topics as nutrition, body

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CALIFORNIA-FRIENDLY® LANDSCAPES WIN BIG PRIZES

Printer-friendly versionJune 1, 2009 (El Cajon) – Winners of the sixth annual California-Friendly® Landscape Contest gathered to collect their prizes at the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on May 16th. Twenty homeowners from across the county received honors for outstanding examples of beautiful, drought-tolerant landscapes. Photographs of the winning landscapes adorned a display in The Garden’s Plaza, and garden

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EQUALITY TORCH RELAY SPARKS ARREST IN LEMON GROVE; GAY RIGHTS ADVOCATES CARRY TORCH TO RALLIES AT 4 EAST COUNTY CITY HALLS

Printer-friendly version June 9, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—A protester was arrested in Lemon Grove Saturday for assaulting San Diego Pride director Ron DeHarte during an equality relay for gay rights. (View a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E91X_cD-tqk&feature=related). Overall, however, the relay through four East County cities was peaceful, organizer Eve Parker reported. “We had such a wonderful and supportive day in East

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SWEET SUCCESS: GROVE PASTRY SHOP

Printer-friendly versionJune 7, 2009 (Lemon Grove)—“What is special about this place is that we make the most challenging cakes—cakes that nobody else around town will take,” said Luis Francisco Montero, baker at the Grove Pastry Shop in Lemon Grove. Montero spoke with East County Magazine during an East County Chamber of Commerce reception earlier this week at the bakery, which

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SKINCARE & WOUND CARE PRODUCTS INFECTED BY BACTERIAL CONTAMINATION, FDA WARNS

Printer-friendly versionConsumers advised not to use any skin products by Clarcon, marketed under several other brand names listed here June 8, 2009 (Washington D.C.)–The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced today that Clarcon Biological Chemistry Laboratory Inc. of Roy, Utah, is voluntarily recalling some skin sanitizers and skin protectants marketed under several different brand names because of high levels of

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DUI CHECKPOINT IN FALLBROOK NETS ARRESTS & CITATIONS; MORE CHECKPOINTS PLANNED

Printer-friendly versionJune 8, 2009 (Fallbrook)—Law enforcement officials issued 19 citations at a driving under the influence (DUI)/driver’s license checkpoint Friday in Fallbrook, also towing 16 vehicles. Additional DUI checkpoints are planned for the Fallbrook area, the San Diego Sheriff’s office confirms. Law enforcement agencies from throughout San Diego County joined forces to conduct an AVOID – DUI Campaign Task Force

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