Under The Walnut Tree: A Memoir, by Donnell Joseph, (The Troy Book Makers, Troy, New York, 2015, 252 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 7, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Hollywood has a tendency of glamourizing the perceived sordid nature of the South Central area of Los Angeles, as depicted in the movies, Boys In The Hood, starring Lawrence Fishburne, Angela Bassett and Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as Menace To Society, starring Larenz Tate, and most recently in the blockbuster movie Straight Out Of Compton, chronicling the rise to fame of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Donnell Joseph gives a more realistic and authentic meaning and picture of South Central, as he actually lived through it and on many occasions almost died in it through his involvement in gangs and drugs common to the area when he was coming up.

Dueling ballot measures could also impact fate of Death Row inmates

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2015 (Sacramento) -- California has not executed a prisoner since 2006 due to legal challenges, although there are 747 inmates on death row and at least 17 of those have exhausted all legal appeals, the Sacramento Bee reports.

But executions may soon resume, if a proposal by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is approved.  The plan calls for use of a single drug to execute condemned prisoners, instead of a multiple-drug mixture previously used.  The drug of choice for executions could actually be one of four barbiturates specified in the proposal.

Photo:  John Bolthouse, at San Diego Concert Band performance in the Garden

November 7, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Water Conservation Garden today announced the departure of John Bolthouse, who has served as the organization’s Executive Director since February 2012. The Garden’s board of directors extends its deepest gratitude for Bolthouse’s innumerable contributions to The Garden over the years.

“John has truly been a visionary for our organization, leading The Garden into a new era,” said The Garden Board of Directors President Elyssa Robertson. “His planning, forethought and efforts over the past 3 years have provided us with the framework and clear vision for The Garden’s continued success. On behalf of the board of directors and Garden staff, we wish John the absolute best for his next exciting venture.”

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (Spring Valley)- The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Santa Sophia #2520 will be performing “Cafe Murder,. a dinner theatre murder mystery, by Nathan Hartswick.

The performance is at  6 p.m. on November 14 in Prendergast Hall, 9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley. Join family and friends, enjoy dinner and solve a crime.

County News Service

November 7, 2015 (San Diego)--The San Diego Regional Law Enforcement Teddy Bear Drive is putting out an all-points bulletin on new, tagged, huggable stuffed bears and they are asking the public to “turn them in” at law enforcement stations and San Diego County Chick-fil-A restaurants. The stuffed animals will be donated and delivered on Dec. 8 to Rady Children’s Hospital to comfort sick and scared children.

The 25^th annual drive is coordinated this year by the San Diego County Probation Department and the Coronado Police Department. Chick-fil-A, a corporate supporter, is hosting the kickoff event from 5 to 7 p.m. Nov. 10 and will donate a free chicken sandwich meal or nuggets kid’s meal to those who bring in a brand new stuffed bear with tags still attached to any of its nine area stores during the special event. Area law enforcement will have representatives there and emergency vehicle displays as well as Chick-fil-A’s “Eat Mor Chikin” Cow for photo opportunities with the public.

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (Spring Valley) – A proposed assisted care facility on South Barcelona Street will be on the agenda at the Spring Valley Community Planning Group and Design Review Board, which meets Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. in the San Miguel Consolidated Fire District headquarters at 2850 Via Orange Way, Spring Valley.

For the full agenda, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (Jacumba Hot Springa) – The town of Jacumba will host a community-wide yard sale on Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring hand-made crafts, art work, household items and other yard sale treasures.  Parking and admittance are free.

In addition, tours will be offered of the Chinese Castle, a historic icon in Jacumba. There is a $5 charge for the castle tour and proceeds benefit the Jacumba-Boulevard Revitalization Alliance, a 501c3.

East County News Service

November 6, 2015 (Mission Trails) –Join San Diego City Councilmember Scott Sherman, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, and La Mesa Councilmember Kristine Alessio on Saturday, November 7th at 10:00 a.m. at the East Kwaay Paay Trailhead, just west of Bushy Hill Drive and the Kumeyaay Lake Campground, on Father Junipero Serra Trail to officially launch Mission Trails Regional Park’s new 5-Peak Challenge program.

The 5-Peak Challenge involves hiking to the summit of the five highest peaks in the park: Cowles Mountain (1,592’), Pyles Peak (1,579’), North Fortuna (1,291’), Kwaay Paay (1,194’) and South Fortuna (1,094’).   Complete the challenge by hiking to the summit of all five peaks in any order and within your own timeframe. This will provide you the opportunity to discover all the less-visited areas of the park.  After completing the 5-Peak Challenge, not only will you have seen San Diego from different perspectives, but you may also adopt your new favorite hiking trail along the way.   

Here’s how to officially complete the 5-Peak Challenge: http://mtrp.org/five_peaks01

Source: State Park Service

November 6, 2015 (San Diego)--Veterans, Active Duty and Reserve Military Personnel have free access to state parks on Veterans Day on Wednesday, November 11.

In San Diego, state parks offering free admission include Border Field State Park, Cardiff State Beach, Carlsbad State Beach, Cuyamaca Rancho State Park,  Palomar Mountain State Park, San Elijo State Beach, San Onofre State Beach, Silver Strand State Beach, South Carlsbad State Beach, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Torrey Pines State Beach.

Participating state parks include 134 parks that are accessible with the “California Explorer” Annual Pass, plus the California State Railroad Museum and eight State Vehicular Recreation Areas. Veterans, active duty and reserve military personnel must show a valid military ID at the park in order to receive free admission.

East County News Service

Robert Gehr captured an image of this double rainbow arcing over the El Cajon Police Station.

Secondary rainbows are caused by a double reflection of sunlight inside the raindrops, and are the colors appear as mirror images. In Chinese mythology, a double rainbow, due to its reversal of colors, represents the movement from earth to heaven and is considered to be a sign of future success.

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine has twice named Donna Tisdale our “Newsmaker of the Year” for her tireless efforts to battle massive energy projects and stand up for rural residents.  She also received the People’s Mic Award from KNSJ  Radio for her advocacy as a backcountry warrior.

But now the warrior is under attack by a series of articles (1) (2) (3) published by Voice of San Diego.  The articles criticize Tisdale and her nonprofit, Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD) for suits filed in Imperial County over desert solar projects. In essence, the series faults cash settlements paid to farmers and claims eight suits yielded no environmental benefits.

But now Tisdale is firing back in a detailed response that contends VOSD’s stories contain false statements  in a “misinformation campaign” she likens to Big Tobacco and Big Oil’s efforts to mislead the public.  “It is no coincidence that San Diego Gas & Electric’s (SDG&E’s) Mitch Mitchell is on the VOSD Board of Directors,” she observes, noting that BAD has challenged numerous SDG&E projects.  She denies personal financial gain alleged by VOSD (which presented zero evidence of such).  While the VOSD article addresses issues in 8 lawsuits not in San Diego County, BAD has filed three times that many (24), many of which did result in big wins for the environment in our region-- or developers backing off projects completely, facts that VOSD failed to report. 

Below is Tisdale’s rebuttal in full:

Next events: The town library – Nov. 18, holiday mixer Dec. 3

By Miriam Raftery

November 5, 2015 (La Mesa) – A packed crowd turned out at Johnny B’s restaurant in La Mesa last month for a mixer hosted by La Mesa Conversations.

Mayor Mark Arapostathis spoke on Oktoberfest,  which this year was scaled back to two days with fewer vendors but more emphasis on the festival’s German roots.  This Oktoberfest was run by the La Mesa Village Merchants Association, without the Chamber of Commerce. The Mayor addressed how Oktoberfest has changed through the years, reminiscing about past festivals and how the changes have impacted the community and local merchants.

A representantative from the merchants' group also have a preview of upcoming events including Christmas in the Village, a grand reopening of the downtown streets and the centennial legacy project unveiling.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

This column is also published in the http://EastCountyMagazine.org. If you are from East County, I highly recommend that you check out the ECM for articles and the latest in what is happening in the East County.

East County News Service

November 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)—Shots fired from a dark SUV that pulled alongside a Lexus traveling east on I-8 at Los Coches Road in unincorporated El Cajon at 12:57 a.m., injuring the driver and passenger.   

The driver of the Lexus, a 43-year-old woman from Alpine, and her passenger, a 31-year-old man, were transported by ambulance to Sharp Memorial Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. 

East County News Service

November 3, 2015 (Dulzura) – Justin Dorson, a 26-year-old father of two, died Sunday morning after a motorcycle accident on State Route 94 near Dulzura.