February 3, 2015 (San Diego)--San Diego's Mission Trails Regional Park announces a three-day Kumeyaay Lakes Poetry Campout  in February with Poet Jim Moreno--complete with love-themed workshops for romantics at heart.

The Valentines Day Weekend (Feb. 13-15) will blend writing time for beginning to seasoned poets in four structured writing workshops. Star gazing with the San Diego Astronomy Association, a guided nature walk, and a Saturday sunset open mic for camping poets and community at the Kumeyaay Lake amphitheater will be blended with Valentine theme poetry events.

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Jack Shu, Cleveland National Forest Foundation president: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)—Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF), sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine on KNSJ radio.  CNFF and other environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the regional transportation plan proposed by the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) .  California Attorney General Kamala Harris joined the suit in support of environmentalist.

CNFF contends that instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as state law requires, SANDAG’s plan will increase them by 700 percent (see chart). 

San Diegans rely 95% on automobiles for transportation and only 3% on transit, yet SANDAG’s plan calls for more freeways instead of expanding transit in the near future.  San Diego also has the seventh worth ozone pollution in the nation as well as serious asthma issues, CNFF argues, yet SANDAG failed to provide a health impact analysis in its plan.

An appellate court and trial court agreed with plaintiffs that SANDAG failed to adequately address air pollution and climate change concerns, yet SANDAG voted 20 to 1 to appeal to the California Supreme Court.

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Monarch butterflies may warrant protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states.  Monarch populations have dropped up to 90 percent in the last 20 years due to loss of milkweed plants that the butterflies need to lay their eggs and nourish caterpillars that emerge from cocoons.

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)--The old song says, “It never rains in Southern California.”

But when we do get rain or snow, like this week’s storm has brought, driving can be an adventure.

To make sure it doesn’t become a mis-adventure, here are some handy driving tips from San Diego County’s Department of Public Works , or  DPW,  that will help make your rainy drive safer.

December 31, 2014 (Santee) - If you love to fish, you may want to mark your calendars for the Trout Reopener at Santee Lakes on January 10^th and 11^th, when the lakes will be stocked with two thousand pounds of rainbow trout.

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A thick blanket of snow has fallen across much of  San Diego’s inland region, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland this New Year’s Eve. Lindy Klengler sent photos taken at her Hidden Meadows home in Escondido at just 1700 feet elevation, showing snow around her swimming pool and atop palm trees. “Been here 22 years and never had this happen,” she says.

Melody Munoz and Donna Tisdale sent photos from Boulevard, where three to four inches of snow fell overnight and the temperature on New Year’s morning is a chilly 21 degrees. Snow has also blanketed Descanso and coated landmarks in Jacumba.

Julian received 9 inches of snow and on Mt. Palomar, 12 inches—a foot—has fallen, according to the National Weather Service.  ECM  news partner 10 News observes that level “beats Big Bear!”

December 30, 2014 (El Cajon) - Herman’s Hermits will be performing with original lead singer Peter Noone in two concerts on January 17 at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theatre in El Cajon. Showtimes for the legendary British band are at 6:30 and 8 p.m. For tickets and details, visit www.Sycuan.com.

December 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from a winery concert to a walk up Mount Helix.  Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a concert by the famed British rock band Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a photo tour in the Anza Borrego Desert and a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday concert in Lemon Grove.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy

Updated December 30, 2014

December 29, 2014 (San Diego)--The USS Sampson, a Navy ship homeported in San Diego, has joined the recovery effort for the AirAsia Flight 8501, the Pentagon has announced.  The flight went missing Sunday and  crashed into the Java Sea off Indonesia with 162 passengers and crew on board. Debris and bodies found are confirmed to be from the ill-fated flight.

East County News Service

December 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning from 4 p.m. Tuesday night until 4 p.m. Wednesday for areas above 2,000 feet in elevation – though a dusting of snow could dip down to just 1,000 feet in some areas.

The storm, originating in Canada with very cold temperatures, could dump up to a foot of snow at elevations over 3,000 feet and 1 to 5 inches between 2,000 and 3,000 feet. Two to seven inches are forecast in high desert regions.

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

Readers

January 2 (Friday, 6:00 pm) — Author Bishop O'Connell will sign and talk about his book, The Stolen.

Mysterious Galaxy, 5943 Balboa Ave, Suite 100, San Diego. For additional information, go to http://www.mystgalaxy.com/ or call (858) 268-4747.

December 29, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)-- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL/REGIONAL

• San Diego: No. 1 pleasant place in U.S. (UT San Diego)
• Chiefs beat Chargers as both miss play-offs (UT San Diego)
• New brewery, entertainment center for La Mesa (La Mesa Today)
• San Diego Closes 40 Illegal Marijuana Dispensaries In December  (KPBS)
• Judge called Edison about San Onofre (UT San Diego)
• Authorities Warn Public After 4 Dead Birds Test Positive For West Nile Virus (KPBS)

STATE

• Judge called Edison about San Onofre (UT)
• Why every American should care about California’s Moonlight Fire case (Fox)
• New faces at CPUC. But new broom unlikely (SD Reader, Don Bauder)
• PG&E discloses more emails with state regulators (U-T)
• Lawmakers are getting way more gifts (UT)

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

Photo: San Diego Chargers running back Brendan Oliver runs for a touchdown in the teams loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Courtesy of San Diego Chargers Facebook.

By Ryan Posner

Reprinted with permission from Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association (SDONA)

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--Needing a win to earn a playoff spot, the San Diego Chargers lost to the Kansas City Chief, 19-7, Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, in Kansas City, Missouri, effectively ending their season.

Photo Credit: Department of Defense

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--It’s official: the longest war in U.S. history is now over.

On Sunday, the U.S. and NATO held a ceremony at their headquarters in Kabul to mark the end of combat in Afghanistan.

East County News Service

December 28, 2014 (San Diego)--The U.S. State Department has broadened its warning for U.S. citizens regarding risks of traveling to parts of Mexico due to criminal activity that has resulted in deaths of 85 American citizens this year, including some who were innocent bystanders. Kidnappings are also on the rise; 130 American citizens were kidnapped during the first 11 months of this year.