February 13, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - The La Mesa Arts Alliance (LMAA) proudly presents readings from “The Wit and Wisdom of Mark Twain” on Thursday, February 27, 2014. The free event begins at 7:00 p.m. with a reception at 6:30 p.m. and will be hosted by San Pasqual Winery in their intimate tasting room located at 8364 La Mesa Boulevard. There will be a no host wine bar and seating is limited.

February 13, 2014 (Crest)--It seems that almost every day a new scam appears. From trickster emails to fake phone calls, fraudulent websites to people you meet, the opportunities to get taken are everywhere. “Tips to Stay Ahead of the Con” is intended to raise your awareness about these opportunities to get taken.

February 3, 2014 (San Diego) - Scroll down for literary events across our region of interest to readers and writers.

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

For all San Diego County Library events, go to:

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

January 30, 2014 (San Diego) –The winter series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase continues in February with seven concerts taking place throughout the month—including East County performances in Rancho San Diego, El Cajon, and Lemon Grove.

The Acoustic Showcase series offers a wonderful variety of some of San Diego's very best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers. These concerts are free to the community. To date, More than 12,000 people have attended these concerts.  Scroll down for a full details on this month’s artists  performances in East County, or visit the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase website for a full list of all performances countywide.

January 21, 2014 (San Diego) – San Diego WriteWay’s calendar of literary events includes a wide variety of happenings countywide. Scroll down for listings of events of interest to both readers and writers.

Off My Rocker, by Kenny Weissberg (Sandra Jonas Publishing House, Boulder, Colorado, 2014, 311 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 15, 2014 (San Diego)--Kenny Weissberg, the former producer and promoter of the internationally acclaimed Humphrey’s Concerts by the Bay series in San Diego, has lived the life that many of us could only dream about.  It is reflected in his wildly entertaining tell-all book, Off My Rocker.

By Nadin Abbott

January 14, 2013 (San Diego)-- “This book is both an invitation and a warning. The invitation is to seek to be all you can be and try to make a difference. The warning is that the best intentions can be misunderstood and sidetracked by events beyond your control.” Dick Murphy writes this near the beginning of his memoir, a remembrance of his life in San Diego city politics.

Why would a resident of the East County even care? The book also details some of the projects that Murphy was involved in his decades in San Diego city politics that have directly affected our region, not just San Diego city. Some of these issues  are still resonating today, around ten years after Murphy left the political arena.

Book Launch at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore January 11

January 2, 2014 (San Diego)--Reina Lisa Menasche, radio host for East County Magazine’s “Bookshelf” radio program on KNSJ, 89.1 FM, has released her new novel, Silent Bird, and will be hosting a book launch open to the public at Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.

Reina Menasche calls her first love “writing fiction,” though she fulfills many other artistic and professional roles.  In addition to hosting “Bookshelf” (highlighting “local literary luminaries—and some great books to read!”), she is also a social worker, university instructor, and actress.Her first novel, Twice Begun, was a finalist in the 2013 San Diego Book Awards, and her new novel, Silent Bird, won the Outstanding Fiction Award from the Southern California Writers Conference in 2009.

January 5, 2014 (San Diego) -- Sprinkled with stories and tips (such as how to connect with literary agents), this February 22 program is designed to inspire and empower writers of all levels and genres. Start with a glimpse at today’s dynamic book business including traditional, electronic, and self-publishing. Then  share ideas to help refine the writing craft, followed by suggestions for getting published and tips for promoting books.

Also on the afternoon’s menu are imagination workouts, writing prompts, self-assessments, and Q&A throughout. The workshop will be presented by  Laurie Gibson, the La Mesa resident who’s edited the work of more than 150 first-time authors. She’s also edited or proofread well over 250 books for numerous publishers, including recent editions of novels such as “The Color Purple” and the writing of business guru Brian Tracy. For several years, Laurie taught at the Extension programs of both UCSD and UCLA.

Click to buy this book

On Teaching Well: Using Classroom Instructional Strategies to Increase Your Teaching Effectiveness, by Dr. Dee L. Fabry (Ready or Not Press, Cheyenne, Wyoming, 2012).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 5, 2014 (San Diego)--Dee L. Fabry, Ph.D, along with 18 eighteen high school teachers in a graduate level course on effective teaching practice, shares their journey of improving the cognitive skills of students in Fabry’s groundbreaking book; On Teaching Well: Using Classroom Instructional Strategies to Increase Your Teaching Effectiveness.

The author, Associate Professor at National University, School of Education, Teacher Education Department in La Jolla, serves as the Master of Arts in Teaching Program Lead, teaching classroom teachers returning for their post graduate degrees. This makes her eminently qualified to lead these high school teachers in a graduate level course in effective teaching practice, which has resulted in this innovative book. Her research and scholarship is focused around improving teaching and student learning outcomes.

Free workshops offered Dec. 14, Jan. 11 and Feb. 8, 2014

December 10, 2013 (San Diego) – Dr. Dee L. Fabry, Ph.D., author of On Teaching Well: Using Classroom Instructional Strategies to Increase Your Teaching Effectiveness will offer three workshops to provide teachers and educators with practical, comprehensive knowledge on how to transform the classroom into a thriving, engaged and energetic learning environment.  Workshops are offered on December 14, 2013, January 11 or February 8, 2014, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Participants can receive a certificate and two hours of professional development credit at the free seminar, which will be held at National University Spectrum Academic Center’s theater, 9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego 92123. To register, click here.  For full details and flyer, click here.

December 3, 2013 (San Diego) – For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, go to: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

December 3 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host Fannie Flagg, the bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, as she discusses and signs her new novel The All-Girl Filling Station's Last Reunion. This event is free and open to the public, however Reserved Seating is available. Please call Warwick's for details. Only books purchased from Warwick's will be signed.

November 25, 2013 (San Diego) – For complete Calendar, including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, go to:

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

See Books by Dr. Carl Nelson at www.CarlANelson.us

November 20, 2013 (San Diego) – For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, Go to: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

November 14, 2013 (Alpine) – When Amy Gorence saw an email in her inbox from Scholarshare, she didn’t open it because she assumed it was advertising. It turns out she overlooked a notification that her daughter, Ryley, had won a scholarship for $529 through a contest, “Reading Makes Cent$,” at the Alpine Library.

Luckily, the folks with California’s official 529 College Savings Plan didn’t give up too easily. A few weeks later, Amy got a phone call asking if Ryley was still interested. “Interested in what?” she asked. The answer was a big surprise: Ryley’s name was chosen, out of all the entries from the San Diego County Library system, to receive $529 in a tax-advantaged savings plan for her college education. As if this weren’t enough good news, there’s more: the Alpine Library will receive matching funds—another $529—to spend on materials.

Murder Is A Family Affair, by Donalie Beltran, (Killing Time Press, LLC, 2013, 352 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 8, 2013 (San Diego)--Donalie Beltran, an author with strong religious convictions, has written an historical true crime novel that uncovers the ancestry of a sordid and evil past that belies her faith: Murder Is A Family Affair. The author sets the stage for this story and  the tone of this well-written novel by asking a rhetorical question: “Do you have a murderer in your family – maybe a violent tempered wife beater – those who feel they have a right to take a life?”

Rider South, son of Marshal South, is making a very rare appearance in southern California from October 21-30 at several venues including San Diego, El Cajon, Ramona, Julian, Escondido, Oceanside, Borrego Springs, and Palm Desert to talk about his father as a writer and an artist and to celebrate the publication of two of Marshal South’s western novels originally published 70 years ago. The two novels have the Anza-Borrego desert area as the setting for the stories, incorporating local legendry and desert places that Marshal South new well.

After an introduction about the South family and their experiment in primitive living, Rider will answer questions about this very unusual family and its 17-year sojourn on waterless Ghost Mountain. For an event schedule, scroll down or go to:

http://www.sunbeltbook.com/calendar/calendar.

The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China, by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson, III (The Stevenson Family, 2009, 299 pages).              

Book Review by Dennis Moore            

  “Once a man holds public office he is absolutely no good for honest work.” --Will Rogers

September 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-- The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China  is a guide-- a road map for future politicians authored by Adlai E. Stevenson III.  He  laments changes in the electoral process and the loss of civility in politics, also speaking of opportunities in politics being limited by money and a media which restricts comments to one or two minutes while focusing on the game, the trivial and the sensational.

The book began as a brown loose-leaf binder in which the author ‘s great-grandfather, Adlai E. Stevenson  (1835-1914), collected anecdotes and maxims, stories and sayings during his life as a county prosecutor, congressman, assistant postmaster general and U.S. vice president under Grover Cleveland. His grandson, known to friends and family as “the Guv,” expanded the collection in a large black binder during his life as an official in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.  

September 10, 2013 (Crest) – The San Diego County Library will celebrate its 100^th birthday with a presentation by the Crest Historical Society on September 24 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.  A historical DVD, “Crest: The Early Years” will be presented and subjects depicted in Crest Library’s Mural will be discussed.

September 9 (Monday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host debut local novelist Lacy Crawford, who will discuss and sign her book Early Decision. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author's most current book must be purchased from Warwick's.

Background: A delightful and salacious debut novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application-and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up.

September 5, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – In 2011, the SoCal outdoor community lost Jerry Schad, the seasoned hiker who spread his appreciation for the outdoors throughout the San Diego region through his popular books and photographs.

Now Wilderness Press has released the first update to Schad's classic 101 Hikes in Southern California since his passing two years ago. The first edition was published in 1996. 

David Money Harris – fellow outdoor writer, hiking leader, and frequent collaborator with Schad – took on this most recent update with Jerry's legacy in mind. Harris worked with Schad on the 2005 revision to the work, and has contributed to Schad's popular Afoot & Afield series.

August 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – The presidents of sister colleges in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be among the performers in a pair of staged readings of the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 6, and Saturday, September 7, in Room 220 of Building 26 on the Grossmont College campus.

Presidents Mark Zacovic of Cuyamaca College and Sunita V. Cooke of Grossmont College will read some Poe poems that have held them in their thrall since their childhoods.

August 28, 2013 – The fall series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase begins in September with 3 East County concerts throughout the month.  The Showcase series offers a variety of San Diego’s best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers.  The concerts are free to the community.

By Janis Mork

August 26, 2013 (El Cajon) - On August 12, Brian Castner, author of  The Long Walk, delivered a speech to faculty and staff at Grossmont College on how to reach out to military veterans.

His book, The Long Walk, tells the story of Castner’s outward struggle of serving in combat and inward struggle to find himself again after he had been home for a couple years.  

August 8, 2013 (Alpine) – The construction of a new library for the community of Alpine is another step closer to reality.

The County Board of Supervisors gave the go-ahead to advertise for a design and build contract during a Board meeting Tuesday.

By Don Harrison

August 8, 2013 (El Cajon) – In the shock that followed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., partners Mary Carouba and Susan Hagen sat stunned across the country in California.  After a while it dawned on them that whenever they turned on the television, there were news stories and other acknowledgments about the men who were the first responders at the World Trade Center.  Always the men.  Weren’t there any women there?

Carouba recalled that New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, standing on the rubble of the World Trade Center, asked for a round of applause for “the men we lost” as well as for those other men who helped people to survive the collapse of the Twin Towers.  Later, President George W. Bush came to the site of the tragedy to praise “all the men,” Carouba related to a convocation of classified employees Thursday, Aug. 1, at Grossmont College.

August 6, 2013 (San Diego) – WANT TO READ BOOK REVIEWS OF LOCAL AUTHORS? Go to:

http://sdwriteway.org/readers_lounge/book_reviews/1a_reviews_book.htm

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS go to:

http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

July 30, 2013 (San Diego) – WANT TO READ BOOK REVIEWS OF LOCAL AUTHORS? Go to: http://sdwriteway.org/readers_lounge/book_reviews/1a_reviews_book.htm

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, Go to: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

July 23 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host Founder and CEO of Harvard Cookin' Girl Bibi Kasrai, who will discuss and sign her book The Spice Whisperer. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed, The Spice Whisperer must be purchased from Warwick's.

July 21, 2013 (San Diego) – Two of Sunbelt Publications’ titles received awards from Foreword Magazine at The American Library Association Meeting in Chicago.