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Published 09/02/2010 - 9:41 a.m.

School employees gather for the district’s annual convocation last Thursday morning.
School employees gather for the district’s annual convocation last Thursday morning. (Photo: Maureen Robertson)
“Budget smudget. We are not backing away from doing what is best for our students,” Dr. Bob Graeff, Ramona Unified School District superintendent, told district employees in his opening presentation for the school year.

Amidst the turmoil surrounding education in today‘s world, RUSD is on a steady course, said Graeff.

“We know that we remain focused on people, we know budget challenges will continue, and we know student achievement improves steadily,” Graeff said during district convocation last Thursday, the first day of the school year for teachers and support staff.
 
Published 09/02/2010 - 10:13 a.m.

Assemblyman Anderson invites business owners to come to his office on Monday, Sept. 13, and record their testimony about how a state tax or regulation has brought their business to the brink.

Each business owner will have time to share his or her story on camera. The testimony will be featured on Anderson’s website, and the District 77 assemblyman Anderson will deliver the videos to the Speaker of the Assembly and the Senate President Pro-Tempore in Sacramento.

“It is time to get the message out that California’s businesses — the fuel of our state’s economic engine — will not survive this endless barrage of taxation and regulation,” said Anderson (R-El Cajon).
 
Published 09/02/2010 - 10:08 a.m.

Working with a different solar company, the Ramona Municipal Water District (RMWD) estimates it will save more money than originally thought on solar installations.

RMWD directors approved a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) on June 1 with Ramona Solar, LLC, which was formed by Alternative Energy Capital, LLC (AEC). Ramona Solar acts as a third party financing entity for this project. AEC Finance is the managing member, explained RMWD General Counsel Sophie Akins.

At the time of the agreement, Sequoia Solar was chosen to construct the projects. However, since then Sequoia has filed for bankruptcy, said RMWD General Manager Ralph McIntosh, and REC Solar will be installing the solar photovoltaic panels.
 
 
Published 09/02/2010 - 10:15 a.m.

Author invites community to contribute photographs.

Ramona resident, university instructor and noted historian Richard L. Carrico is working closely with the Ramona Pioneer Historical Society to produce a photographic history of the area. The book, one of a series in the Arcadia Press “Images of America Series,” will contain more than 170 photographs of Ramona.

Ken Woodward, historical society director, is enthusiastic about the project and has worked closely with Carrico on the book.
 
Published 08/26/2010 - 10:48 a.m.

Participants in the Ramona Grasslands public workshop look over a map showing historic roads in the vicinity of the preserve.
Kathy Garcia with WRT planning and design firm answers a question about trail plans for the southwest part of the preserve area from residents attending the Ramona Grasslands public workshop on Aug. 19. (Photo: Karen Brainard)
An Aug.19 workshop on preliminary trail plans for the Ramona Grasslands sparked conflict between residents who believe it is their right to access public land and those who are concerned about protecting the environment on nearly 3,500 acres of the county-owned preserve.

Conducted by the county Parks and Recreation Department in the Ramona Community Center, the public workshop attracted a roomful of people, many of whom were interested in the opportunities for hiking, bicycling and horseback riding in the grasslands.
 
 
Sentinel Sports
Bulldogs outmatch Night Hawks in football scrimmage
 09/02/2010 - 11:08 a.m.
First home game of season Sept. 3.

Ask any football coach and he will emphatically state that...
varsity vs del norte 082710-13
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Published 08/25/2010 - 10:26 a.m.

When Jim Hagey planted these American elm trees in 2003 on his property along Ramona Street, they were 7 feet tall.  He estimates they are now 30 feet tall and he still has no idea when he will be able to break ground for his proposed walkable community.
When Jim Hagey planted these American elm trees in 2003 on his property along Ramona Street, they were 7 feet tall. He estimates they are now 30 feet tall and he still has no idea when he will be able to break ground for his proposed walkable community. (Photo: Karen Brainard)
When Jim Hagey purchased 22 acres between Ramona, 16th and H streets with dreams of building a “true, old-style walkable community,” his daughter was 1 month old. She is now entering sixth grade and, if Hagey complies with the latest regulatory requirement from the county, his daughter may be a high school graduate by the time he can break ground.

“It looks like it will be another two to three years before I have a tentative map approved,” said Hagey, blaming his most recent obstacle on California state law and what he considers a “bureaucratic boondoggle.”

“It’s a completely broken system,” he said. “My complaint is how much money is wasted on studies rather than fixing the problem.”

 
Published 08/26/2010 - 11:38 a.m.

Debra Bowen, a PTA mother, puts box tops into the bright green box in the school district office.  Boxes also are at Stater Bros., Albertsons and Ramona Senior Center.  Bowen last year brought the Box Tops for Education fundraising drive to the community.  While only $178.40 was raised last school year, up to $60,000 could be raised for each Ramona school.  Details about the program are at www.boxtops4education.com.
Debra Bowen, a PTA mother, puts box tops into the bright green box in the school district office. Boxes also are at Stater Bros., Albertsons and Ramona Senior Center. Bowen last year brought the Box Tops for Education fundraising drive to the community. While only $178.40 was raised last school year, up to $60,000 could be raised for each Ramona school. Details about the program are at www.boxtops4education.com.
Parents get involved in Ramona schools in a big way through the parent-teacher associations at each of the schools. Annual membership dues vary from school to school, and membership drives will be held at the start of the school year.

Sun Valley Council PTA is an umbrella organization that includes the eight PTAs in the district.
Anyone wishing to support all of the school PTAs may join them all for $84.
 
 
Published 08/18/2010 - 12:33 p.m.

Ramona Community Planning Group (RCPG) is considering the idea of an informational summit on the Ramona Street Extension after about 13 residents expressed their opposition to the road project at the planning group’s Aug. 5 meeting.

“I want to make sure the public is aware of the true facts,” said RCPG chair Chris Anderson. “We do not want to have misinformation further spread so people have an opinion that is not fact-based.”

Those speaking at the meeting, some passionately, represented a recently-formed group called Citizens for a Rural Ramona. With many of them living on Ramona Street or Boundary Avenue, they cited concerns of safety, increased traffic and disruption to the environment. They also referred to the numerous design changes on the road project. Several asked the planning group to put the Ramona Street Extension back on the agenda.
 
Published 08/16/2010 - 2:47 p.m.

Boutique winery tasting rooms and on-site sales are now allowed by right following a San Diego County Board of Supervisors action Aug. 4.

The supervisors’ 5-0 vote approved a tiered winery zoning ordinance and a General Plan Amendment to exempt certain winery classifications from restrictions on certain types of land use areas.

“We have a great growing area,” said Supervisor Bill Horn, who has been in production agriculture for the past 37 years. “For those who want to stay in ag, which is a way of life, this is an important transition.”

The ordinance restricts tasting rooms and on-site sales at boutique wineries on land with A70 or A72 agricultural zoning.

“These are agricultural zones,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob. “The primary uses for A70 and A72 zones are agricultural.”
Featured Columnists
Persia with Culture, Cuisine & Grapes
08/19/2010 - 10:16 a.m. Carole Truesdale
new wine & cuisine
The Truesdale family had a busy spring and summer with the arrival of grandchild Chloe Taylor in June. This makes a total of six wonderfully active members ranging from ages 0 to 21, with five under the age of 7. There’ll be lots of grandparent duty at our home again this year.

What better way to celebrate family fun than from a land abundant with a rich culture and a history of wine for over 7,000 years—Persia! I had the pleasure to experience Persian food with special friends and want to share some of their tasty menus.

Persia is rich in history for growing grapes. Archeologists discovered wine jars dating b... [Read More]

 
 
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