May 23, 2015 (Lakeside) --Lakeside's River Park Conservancy's first ever Boars & Brew event is scheduled for Saturday, June 20^th—the summer solstice.  You’re invited  for a beer stroll along the section of the San Diego River Trail that the Conservancy manages for an evening full of “great tasting beer, perfectly cooked food, and amazing company,” according to the invitation.

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

May 23, 2015 (San Diego)--What's the best way to plan for writing the next book in a series, and secondly, what's the most efficient way to gain more readers? – M.L. Desir

May 22, 2015 (San Diego)--The College Area Business District is celebrating the installation of its first bike corral located in front of the Living Room Coffeehouse, 5900 El Cajon Boulevard. The bike corral opened May 20^th and a ribbon cutting ceremony will be held May 27^th at 10 a.m. with refreshments.

Originally Published on the ECOreport

By Roy L Hales

May 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Christopher McLeod was disturbed by the environmental injustice. He saw Native Americans subjected to airborne coal pollution, and their water being taken for slurry lines. The Hopi elders told him there was a spiritual side to the injustice. These violations were taking place within a network of sacred places that their people had preserved for countless generations. These consisted of a sacred mountain, sacred springs that gave the Hopi life, and their ancestral burial grounds. The elders told him the cause of the West’s environmental crises is the disconnect from their spiritual link to the earth. This has become the message behind Standing on Sacred Ground, a four part documentary which can be seen on the WORLD Channel, Sundays at 9:00 PM (ET) until June 14, 2015. See video.

Community Event Offers Food, Games, Music and Family Fun

May 22, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Travel around the world and learn about other cultures, watch traditional country dances, play carnival games and taste exotic foods at Riverview Elementary School’s 7th Annual International Fair on Saturday, May 30 from 11am to 5pm. This fun-filled community event, complete with a one-of-the kind silent auction, crafts for the kids, photo booth, face painting, vendor booths, games and delicious international food takes place on the grounds of Riverview Elementary School at 9308 Winter Gardens Boulevard in Lakeside. All proceeds will benefit Riverview’s PTSA to provide field trips, assemblies, art, music and dance for Riverview students. For more information, please call (619) 390-2662, or check out our Facebook page at

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Riverview-International-Fair/158649264184882?fref=ts

Project will advance to City Council

Story and photos by Janis Russell

Photo, left: Sherm Harmer, Urban Housing Partners

May 21, 2015 (La Mesa)- At yesterday’s meeting, the La Mesa Planning Commission voted to deny approval of a revised Park Station plan because of its inconsistency with the general plan and community objectives. The vote was 4-2 with Commissioner Dexter Levy absent.  Next up, the City Council will be asked to decide Park Station’s fate.

This was the developer’s third attempt to win approval.  The plan had been dramatically scaled down from 190 feet in height originally proposed  to a maximum of 75 feet in the latest proposal, though still far over the 46 feet height limit citywide and double the allowable density. The latest plan increased density and added a hotel, but reduced parking. A controversial aspect has been the developer’s effort to  get approval of a specific plan solely for Park Station so that zoning requirements of the historic downtown district and other areas in La Mesa would not apply.  It would have included a “by right” ability to make future changes without city approval, or what critics referred to as a “blank check.”

May 21, 2015 (Santee) - The nine Chick-fil-A restaurants in San Diego County, including the Santee Chick-fil-A restaurant, 9418 Mission Gorge Road, Santee, are preparing to give away a combined total of about 10,000 chicken sandwiches on Wednesday, May 20, as part of a “Military Appreciation Night” promotion.

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.