Anti-mosquito Treatment Scheduled for June 1

The County of San Diego Vector Control Program (VCP) will conduct its second aerial mosquito larvicide application of the 2016 mosquito season at large waterbodies known to breed mosquitoes in Santee and elsewhere in the county on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.
  

A helicopter will apply larvicide to reduce mosquito populations and reduce the risk of West Nile virus (WNV) transmission. The larvicide is made of naturally occurring bacteria which target mosquito larvae in the water and is not toxic to people, pets, fish or other insects. This reduces the number of mosquitoes that can spread diseases such as West Nile virus. VCP staff will be at the locations during the application to answer questions and monitor progress.

Additional larvicide applications will be conducted at three to four week intervals or as needed through the end of the mosquito season which is approximately October. Mosquito populations are monitored and tested for the presence of West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases throughout the county.

Remember: the best protection against West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne illnesses is to prevent mosquito breeding and mosquito bites.

For more information on the aerial larvicide program, larvicides used, and WNV please visit the San Diego County West Nile virus home page: http://www.SDFightTheBite.com

Potential Bus Driver Strike Could Halt MTS Paratransit Mini-bus Service

Non-driving seniors, disabled persons and others who rely on min-bus paratransit services from MTS Access may need to find alternate forms of transportation beginning Wednesday due to a possible strike by bus drivers.

The drivers were scheduled to vote on a new labor contract today (May 24), but a work stoppage could result if the agreement is not approved.

First Transit, a firm that provides drivers for the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS),  said customers should call 888-517-9627 or 800-921-9664 for information on alternative transportation options.

The potential work stoppage by MTS Access drivers employed by First Transit will not affect MTS Trolley, Rapid and major bus routes.

For updated information, please visit the MTS website at www.sdmts.com.

Participate in Bike to Work Day this Friday

Bicyclists participating in Bike to Work Day this Friday, May 20 can receive free T-shirts, snacks and bike repair services at a sidewalk booth sponsored by the Community Services Department and Mission Trails Bike Shop.

The booth or “energizer station” will be staffed from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the intersection of Mast and Carlton Hills boulevards.

Participants who register with the iCommute program and report their bike-to-work mileage will be eligible for a gift-card drawing. Register here: http://icommutesd.com/bike/btwdregistrationform2016.aspx

Bike to Work Day is a national event celebrated annually on the third Friday in May as part of National Bike Month. It was started by the League of American Bicyclists in 1956 to increase public interest in biking and promote it as an alternative for commuting to work.

Eddie's Last Hurrah

There are at least 999,999 good reasons to attend Santee’s River Park Festival and River Run 5k event this Saturday at Town Center Community Park East.

But here’s the millionth and, to some, the best reason:  Eddie Vandiver, lead singer for the popular cover band Ramshackle, is giving his final performance.  The energetic 41-year-old Alpine resident is  putting his formidable vocal chords out to pasture.

Vandiver, who works full time as general manager of Sportsplex USA Santee , said he’s retiring from the band to spend more quality time with his wife and two young children.

“I want to spend time with my kids while they still want to hang out with me,” he joked, referring to his 4-year-old daughter and 6-month-old son.

Vandiver joined Ramshackle in October 2008 after answering a “lead vocalist wanted” ad on the online job site Craigslist. He auditioned, jammed with the band, and was immediately hired. He’d previously performed with a local blues band called Mudwolf.

The musical niche occupied Ramshackle is to produce easily recognizable hit songs from all genres that people can dance to. The band’s playlist ranges from Guns  N’ Roses to Bruno Mars to Johnny Cash.

The motto on the group's website self-proclaims them as “San Diego’s Best Rock Cover Band.”

Over the years, Ramshackle played every venue from the House of Blues to the Disneyland Hotel to weddings and the city of Santee’s summer concert series at the park.

The band has already hired a replacement lead singer, Carlos Martinez, who will perform the second half of the band’s set at the River Park Festival, which runs from 3:30 to 8 p.m.

Vandiver said the band members, whose own children are now adults, have been supportive of his decision. His tenure with the band didn't make him rich, but it slaked his thirst for authentic  rock n' roll.

“I did it for the passion and fun of the music -- and the camaraderie with all the guys in the band, “ Vandiver said.