From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

Photo: Tesla Motors will produce more lithium ion batteries in its new Nevada Gigafactory than were produced worldwide in 2013. Credit: Nakhon100, Flickr CC.

February 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- Dear EarthTalk: I’ve heard that one of the big hurdles to growth in renewables is energy storage. What’s new in the world of battery technologies? And will better forms of storage really accelerate the development of solar, wind and other alternative forms of energy?  -- Maxwell Jay, Erie, PA

Protesters storm town halls, march on Wall Street and call for national strike Feb. 17

By May Strong

February 11, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - It’s been a rough week for some Republican Congressional members backing the Trump agenda, as well as for a cabinet appointee.  They’ve been dogged by vocal protests at airports, town hall meetings, schools and even their own homes. Meanwhile a national strike is being organized on February 17 for all who seek to resist Trump.

East County News Service

February 8, 2017 (San Diego’s East County)  - This week’s Destination East County includes some hikes in county and state parks to chase away those winter blues, a musical gold rush event at Agua Caliente, Valentine’s celebrations and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including All That Jazz--A Salute to Local Heroes, Black History Month events across East County, and the Run East County St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

You can meet the alpacas at an open house Feb. 11

By Mimi Pollack

Photos by Mimi Pollack and Dan Harrison

February 3, 2017 (Descanso) -- “David is a unicorn,” says Amy Alyeshmerni, referring to David Kabbai, her partner of six years in life, love, and business. ”Here is a man who owns a ranch, loves animals, and wants us to spend every other Friday with his mother for Shabbat dinner. How unusual is that? I am very lucky!”  

By Walter Davis

January 31, 2017 (Canyon Lake, CA) -- I walked down the pier towards the mighty warship. She was moored at the same pier that once held the mighty Japanese battleship Yamato. My gait was slightly unsteady as I had left my family crying quietly in the parking lot.

East County News Service

January 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes party with the stars, cabaret nights, What the Butler Saw, and a Courtly Noise concert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Cupid’s Carouse, a production of To Kill a Mockingbird, a Celtic guitar concert, Cuyamaca College’s powwow, Cupids and Canines, plus Dancing and Dining with your Valentine.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Greg Dunne

January 23, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The most loyal aviating visitor to my yard is the Goldfinch. These little guys are a blast to watch, feeding on their thistle all day long in my front yard. I get as many as 12 to 20 birds or more on my two-sack feeder most of the day – everyday. However, this might drive you to the poor house in bird seed as they are voracious eaters.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Youtube screenshot

January 20, 2017 (San Diego) - One of San Diego’s most revered historical figures is Ray Kroc.  Kroc and his wife Joan donated billions of dollars to the Salvation Army and NPR.  The Kroc Center is practically a San Diego community landmark and where San Diego State men's hockey has their home games.  He's played by Michael Keaton in the film The Founder.  

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

January 16, 2017 (San Diego) -- More needed rain is forecasted, but some storms may cause serious and dangerous problems. Here are a few tips for preparing for storms, and weathering them safely.

By Liz Alper

Photo via patch.com

January 10, 2017 (San Diego) - As a New England native, I felt I had an obligation to see this film.  As someone whose mother’s friend was running in the Boston Marathon at the time of the bombings, I had to see this film.  As someone who has family in Massachusetts, I had to see this film.  

I still remember the watching first Boston Bruins game after the bombing.  During the anthems, the entire TD Garden was silent.  Rene Rancourt began to sing and after "were so gallantly streaming," he stopped.  The crowd took it from there.  They carried Boston Strong flags as the American flag danced on the ice and on the junbotron.  I'm from New Hampshire, but I've spent a lot of my life in Boston and I call it my city too and I've never been more proud of my city than I have in that moment.

To this day, four years later, my cousin, who lives in Merrimac, Massachusetts, says she’s afraid to go into Boston.  Not to take her son to a Red Sox game or anything.  Her story and so many others are why I feel it was an excellent idea for Mark Wahlberg (a Boston native) to put this event on film.

By Sam DiGiovanna

January 2, 2017 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting the possibility of significant storm beginning next Saturday. The NWS is reporting that an Atmospheric River (a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere) may reach southern California Saturday.

This may produce more rain than we have seen in decades. Start thinking ahead to prepare.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

December 26, 2016 (San Diego) -- New Year’s Eve is a night to have fun and celebrate the coming year, says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. However, safety is a must when participating in the festivities.

Following a few safety tips will ensure that you’re safe and sound when the clock strikes midnight, ringing in the New Year!

East County News Service

December 20, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a cribbage tournament, a brass band concert and off-road excursions into the Anza-Borrego desert.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including New Year’s Eve bashes in Alpine and La Mesa, an International Music & Art Festival in Poway, a library concert, ice skating, a hike up Mt. Helix and a performance by Ben Vereen.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 17, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, a concert of many strings, Santa’s reindeer at Grossmont Center, a winter solstice hike up Cowles Mountain, a holiday homes tour and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions  including excursions to Split Mountain in the Anza Borrego desert, a New Year’s Eve party at Viejas, and a wintertime walk up Mt. Helix.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Listen now:  Hear  this week's Destination East County by clicking the orange audio link.

East County News Service

December 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County includes several Christmas theatrical productions, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village celebration, Victorian teas in Julian, and a holiday wine trail in Ramona.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including Santa’s reindeer at Grossmont Center, a singing and clogging fiddler at Parkway Plaza, full moon fishing at Santee Lakes, a Jingle Concert by the San Diego Gay Men’s Chorus at Sycuan, an excursion to Split Mountain in the Anza Borrego Desert, and a winter solstice hike to the top of Cowles Mountain.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!