Rare Event Affirms Welcoming Church Environment

May 20, 2015 (La Mesa)--At least 400 people are expected to attend a local event that is unusual for mainstream Protestant churches. A modern-day “Love –In” will showcase one United Methodist congregation’s welcoming environment for love between all people, including the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.  The event will take place on Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. at Foothills United Methodist Church, 4031 Avocado Blvd., La Mesa.

May 20, 2015 (San Diego's East County) – Get My Vet a Job, a virtual career fair event, will be held on June 5^th   nationwide to help veterans, transitioning military members, spouses and family members across the country.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: "Refugio Oil Spill in Santa Barbara" by Zackmann08

Updated to include expanded size of spill, now five times earlier estimates

May 20, 2015 (Santa Barbara) – A ruptured pipeline has caused a nine-mile-wide oil spill in the ocean off the Santa Barbara coast.  The environmental disaster occurred 46 years after the catastrophic 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill.

While emergency crews work to try and clean up the estimated 110,000 gallon spill, campgrounds and beaches at Refugio State Beach have been evacuated due to severe air quality, water pollution and oil oozing onto the sand as Memorial Day weekend draws near.  Warnings have been issued for nearby El Capitan State Beach as the oil slick moves southward with the currents.

East County News Service

May 20, 2015 (San Diego)--The ACLU of California has launched Mobile Justice CA, a free smart phone app allowing Californians to automatically record and submit cell phone videos to their ACLU affiliate when they feel law enforcement officers are violating civil rights.

By Ed Barrena

May 20, 2915 (San Diego)--Mayor Faulconer has released his plan for funding a new football stadium in Mission Valley, based on recommendations from the Citizens Stadium Advisory Group, the Union Tribune Reports.

May 20, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• House approves bill that would end NSA bulk collection of data (Huffington Post)
• FBI: hacker claims to have taken over flight’s engine controls (CNN)
• Picking strawberries for U.S. tables has workers in Mexico asking for more (Reuters)
• Wreckage of U.S. chopper found in Nepal (10 News)
• Extreme El Nino expected to wreak havoc on weather this year  (New Scientist)
• Drought drains nation’s largest reservoir  (New Scientist)
• Amtrak train that derailed sped up before crash (Time)

WORLD

• Islamic state seizes ancient Palmyra city from Syrian forces (Reuters)
• Islamic State seizes Iraqi army base  (Reuters)
• ISIS seizes capital of Iraq’s largest province (Washington Post)
• Fighting continues in Yemeni city despite truce (Reuters)
•  Israel intercepts 40 diving suits en route to Gaza (JPost)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

May 19, 2015 (San Diego)--Four local non-profits along with the San Diego History Center have joined forces to benefit over 500 San Diego Title 1 elementary school students as “Ingenious! The World of Dr. Seuss” goes from field trip to in-class experience.   Students from among El Cajon are among those included in the adventure.

May 19, 2015 (Santee) – The Santee Street Fair and Beer Festival organized by Santee’s Chamber of Commerce will be held on Saturday, May 23^rd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. This large festival features local breweries from around San Diego County, live music and entertainment, a crafter row and artist alley, over 300 food and vendor booths, carnival rides and games for the family.

May 19, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Marine Corporal Carlos Torres lost both of his legs when he stepped on an improvised explosive device, or IED, while serving in Afghanistan in 2011.  He also seriously injured his elbow.

East County News Service

May 19, 2015 (Otay Mesa) --U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa ports of entry seized a total of $8.1 million worth of narcotics over the weekend, including an interception of more than six tons of marijuana that was stashed in a commercial shipment of furniture and over a half million dollars of heroin.

Plus 3 peachy-keen recipes!

By Greg Dunne

May 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots, and Plums are all coming into season again! Time for fruit salads, fruit salads with yogurt, ambrosia fruit salads, as well as pies and cobblers and just good ‘ol out of hand healthy snacking!

Peach Cobbler? My wife Dianne is starting to use “stone fruit” in her meals at home and her Peach Cobbler is incredible. She picks up her peaches and nectarines at Barons Market in Alpine. Her recipes for Peach, Cherry & Chicken Salad, Peach Cobbler and Grilled Stone Fruit Dessert Pouches are at bottom of this article.

East County News Service

May 17, 2015 (El Cajon ) –A man is under arrest for the beating death of his mother in the 1900 block of Hidden Crest Drive in unincorporated El Cajon.

Photos and story by Susan A Mahalick

May 17, 2015 (Baja, Mexico)--Established June 13^th, 2009 and owned by the Santos family, this is the place to hang out, be seen and meet new people all wrapped up with excellent food, service and views of the volcanic rocks being shaped by the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

East County News Service

May 17, 2015 (El Cajon) – The 16h annual Royal Tea Party will benefit the Mother Goose Parade and scholarships.  The tea will be held on Saturday, May 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Foothills Christian Church, 365 W. Bradley Avenue in El Cajon.

East County News Service

May 17, 2015 (Lemon Grove) -- San Diego Legends is an annual recognition of San Diego elders who lead by example. The Legends exhibit is comprised of paintings by local artist Mona Mills (famous for her realist style blending painting and photography to produce riveting, almost 3-D portraits), photography by San Diego County Library Director José Aponte, and an impact statement about each legend by Deputy Director Susan Moore.