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Green Houses – Jamul Home is Green and Fire-Safe

Printer-friendly versionEco-friendly EAST COUNTY homes By Miriam Raftery   After twice having to evacuate during wildfires, Keith and Danya Jolley decided to build a new, fire-safe and energy efficient “green” home on their Jamul property.   The home was featured on last year’s GreenBuilt Homes Tour.  One year later, the Jolleys remain thrilled with their new home. “The house turned out

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Sylvia’s Soapbox – Duncan the great white Hunter

Printer-friendly version Wildebeest hunt bags a Congressman By Sylvia Hampton Our congressman Duncan Hunter (R-52nd district) is leaving his congressional seat to his son. Sort of an inheritance or royalty passed on to the next generation like in England. Since Duncan D. Hunter, the son, has the same name his election should be like shooting fish in a barrel. But

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East County Roundup – September

Printer-friendly versionLinks to top stories in other publications on East County issues WATER RATIONING GROWS INCREASINGLY LIKELY San Diego Union-Tribune (Sept. 26, 2008) —| For the first time since 1992, San Diego is facing the possibility of water rationing, a step that could happen as soon as January. The threat is expected to loom for years as Southern California readjusts

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Book It: New Library Opens in La Mesa

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery La Mesa’s new library is a bookworm’s delight.  A soaring wall of windows fills the library with sunlight, creating an inviting place for reading, studying, or browsing.   Banks of computers, including some at child-sized desks, make the library an inviting place for people of all ages.  Live music, face painting and a magic show for kids

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New Border Patrol Facility Opens

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery New Campo Border Patrol facility (photo credit: Leon Thompson) Public reactions varied to a new Border Patrol/Homeland Security facility in East County varied sharply. One local conservative blogger thought it was a casino under construction, adding that it resembled “a palace.” But an immigrant rights supporter observed, “It looks like a prison.” Beauty, it appears, is

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Green Beat – Green Citizenship: First Step to a Sustainable World

Printer-friendly versionBy Chuck Brands OK, I’m ticked off.  This is going to be a bit of a rant that will touch on hot-button issues facing all of us.   Just in case that prospect deters you from reading the rest, I’ll share this month’s green treat with you up front.  Wanna be a “green” know-it-all?  Visit www.green.alltop.com daily for the single

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“Delana’s Dirty Pizza” Wins Charity Cook-Off at New Sammy’s in La Mesa

Printer-friendly versionIf you’re a fan of Sammy’s Wood-fired Pizza,  check out "Delana’s Dirty Pizza" featured on the menu through mid-September.  The creation concocted by Delana Bennett of Star 94.1 radio’s  “Jeff and Jer Showgram”  was judged the winner during a charity cook-off held August 13th to kick off the grand opening of Sammy’s newest location in the La Mesa Trolley

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The Will Power Report – Solar Roofs

Printer-friendly version Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power The real unemployment rate in the U.S. is over 7%. Many people have stopped looking for jobs. Particularly hard hit is the construction business, due to the mortgage meltdown. The thin-film solar panel business needs a government subsidy and tax breaks for homeowners who install prefab solar panels.  The new laser-deposited

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LA MESA CHAMBER MIXER AT VIEJAS DRAWS CROWD

Printer-friendly version La Mesa Chamber of Commerce President Mary England and Viejas spokesman Charlie Brown By Miriam Raftery March 26, 2009 (Alpine) —“We don’t just hold mixers. We make cash registers ring,” La Mesa Chamber of Commerce president Mary England told a crowd of approximately 100 members and guests at a mixer hosted by the Chamber at the Dreamcatcher Lounge

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HOG WILD: 4,000 CELEBRATE GRAND RE-OPENING OF EL CAJON HARLEY-DAVIDSON

Printer-friendly version March 28, 2009 (El Cajon) —Ribbon-cuttings for Chamber of Commerce members are usually sedate affairs. Not so the grand re-opening of the E l Cajon Harley-Davidson dealership today, where thousands of motorcyclists packed in to join the celebration on El Cajon Boulevard. “We were expecting 3,000, but it looks more like at least 4,000 people are here,” office

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CONGRESSMEN SPAR AT SAN DIEGO REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON

Printer-friendly versionBy Miriam Raftery April 3, 2009 (San Diego)—Democratic Congressman Bob Filner took some good-natured swings at fellow members of San Diego’s Congressional delegation at the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce luncheon on March 27th. “First let me take some cheap political shots,” quipped Filner, sporting boxing gloves. He noted that the Chamber of Commerce and other business interests

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RECORD NUMBER OF GUHSD SCHOOLS RECEIVE CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOLS AWARD

Printer-friendly versionGrossmont High School, Helix Charter High School and Grossmont Middle College High School Receive Prestigious Honor April 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—On April 1, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell announced that 125 California high schools were awarded the prestigious 2009 California Distinguished Schools Award. This marks the first year that a record three GUHSD schools have been recognized

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DESERT DREAMS: LOOK WHAT’S NEW UNDER THE SUN AT ANZA-BORREGO

Printer-friendly version Wild horse sculptures By Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (Borrego)—Visitors to Anza-Borrego may be startled by the vision of life-sized metal sculptures of dinosaurs, mastodons and other prehistoric creatures rising from the desert floor like sentinels of a forgotten era.  Other sculptures portray wild horses, birds of prey, tortoises, a saber-tooth tiger and Native American themes.  The creations

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MAKING THE GRADE: GUHSD’S 2009 TEACHER OF THE YEAR NOMINEES

Printer-friendly versionMike Love and David Bradford Selected to Represent GUHSD in Prestigious San Diego County Teacher of the Year Competition April 3, 2009 (El Cajon)–At its Governing Board Meeting on Thursday, April 2, the Grossmont Union High School District honored Teacher of the Year nominees from its represented school sites. These nominees are selected by their peers. A panel comprised

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DRY TIMES: WATER-SAVING LANDSCAPE ADVICE

Printer-friendly versionApril 4, 2009 (San Diego)—With water districts urging consumers to cut outdoor water usage by 40% amid the drought, homeowners are left wondering how to maintain an attractive yard without being water hogs—and paying hefty prices to be levied against heavy water users. The California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) offers some recommendations for consumers to make smart choices and

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HOP TO GROSSMONT CENTER SATURDAY: EASTER BUNNY TO HIDE OVER 1500 EGGS AT LA MESA MALL

Printer-friendly versionApril 2, 2009 (La Mesa)—Grossmont Center is hosting an Easter egg hunt with treats for all visitors on april 11th from 9-10 a.m. in Macy’s Courtyard. The festivities include meeting the Easter bunny, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Bring your own basket to hunt for over 1,500 colorfully decorated eggs. The event is free. The Easter bunny’s hut located in

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EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO JANET NAPOLITANO, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, REGARDING ALAN BERSIN–A TOP CANDIDATE FOR U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PATROL TOP SLOT

Printer-friendly versionBy Ernie McRay Editor’s Note: Alan Bersin has served as Superintendent of Public Education in San Diego City Schools and was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as California Secretary of Education. He is now in the running to head up the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol. Dear Secretary Napolitano: April 1, 2009(San Diego)–I write this letter because Alan Bersin

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PUMPED UP: CHAPARRAL HIGH STUDENTS TAKE ON POLICE IN SHOW OF STRENGTH

Printer-friendly version Campus Supervisor Tim Wargo (left), Resource Officer Steve Paz, and Officer Joe Crawford spot student Brandon Lawtum-Grindle Annual bench-press competition fosters trust between El Cajon Police Officers and at-risk teens. By Gayle Early March 25, 2009 (El Cajon)—Twenty-three Chaparral Continuation High School students flexed their muscles last week during a weight-lifting competition with members of the El Cajon

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