Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren



July 19, 2017 (San Diego) -- Like a zombie rising from the grave, Crown Books has come back to life. Like Borders and a number of other book sellers who were killed off by the likes of Amazon, they bit the dust in 2001 after being the third largest bookstore in the country. But the spirit was still alive and was bought lock stock and barrel including the loco and name by Rancho Penasquitos businessman Andy Wiess and reincarnated in Encinitas. They now sell used books at low prices.

But if you want to find a book more current and even meet the authors, look below and give an author some support by visiting one of the following book signings.

East County News Service

July 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Jungle Book Movie at La Mesita Park,  a Museum Roadshow at Cuyamaca College,  a family hike and falconry presentation at Santa Ysabel Preserve, plus community concerts in La Mesa, Lemon Grove, El Cajon and Santee.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Mariah Carey and Lionel Ritchie in concert at San Diego State, a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian, Pine Valley Days, the Pomerado Jazz Quintet at Mission Trails, a Sip of Julian, the HeART of Mt. Helix, the Ramona Country Fair,  and a Laurel and Hardy film presentation in Spring Valley.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

Potential 500-megawatt pumped storage project at the San Vicente Reservoir site could help stabilize water rates

Source:  San Diego County Water Authority

July 19, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego County Water Authority this week issued a Request for Proposals for a potential joint energy storage project with the City of San Diego that could lessen upward pressure on water rates and also increase opportunities for renewable energy penetration throughout the region by leveraging existing infrastructure at San Vicente Reservoir.

Review by Kathy Carpenter, Associate Reviewer sdtheatrereviews.com, Freelance writer Splash Magazine

July 19, 2017 (La Mesa) - Laughter is the best medicine and makes for great plays. George Bailey, president of the board at Lamplighters says they are not out to wow the critics, but entertain their audience. As such, they are pretty much crushing it. If a play at Lamplighters sounds like you would enjoy it, you probably will.

Women in Jeopardy is a laugh out loud comedy that gives you a couple hours of complete escape and entertainment. With that name you might think it's something entirely different. Don't let the name fool you. It's comedy pure and simple. Totally entertaining.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – A transient is under arrest for the attempted murder of an El Cajon Police officer that occurred yesterday shortly after 10 a.m. The suspect reportedly punched the officer repeatedly, continuing to assault him after he was unconscious.

Officers were dispatched to a Dollar Store, where a robbery had been reported.  Employees said the suspect had gone to a JFC restaurant nearby at 724 Fletcher Parkway. KFC had also called police to report the suspect stole soda from their fountain. There, the suspect,  Daniel Moses Cook, 42, violently assaulted the officer.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (San Diego) – Ten homeless San Diegans have filed a class action against the city of San Diego, challenging citations targeting the homeless as unconstitutional.

Homelessness in the city spiked 10% over the past year, according to the January 2017 Point in Time homeless count. Most of those—5,612—were unsheltered. There are not enough beds and local shelters have long waits. San Diego is also the fourth least affordable city in the nation for housing, making the situation even more bleak for homeless people here.

By Miriam Raftery

July 18, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Not long ago, La Mesa overturned a Prohibition-Era ban on wine making. Now LegalizeFerrets.org, a La Mesa-based group that claims to have 3,000 members, is  asking La Mesa’s City Council to end another long-time ban by declaring  sanctuary city status for pet ferrets.

Who knew that La Mesa was a hotbed of underground ferret activity?  

Now, furtive ferret owners may have found a champion in Councilwoman Kristine Alessio, who raises Bengal cats, has served as Legislative Director for The International Cat Association and as a volunteer for the City's Pet Therapy Program.

July 18, 2017 (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

• Carmageddon at the border? A 57-hour closure planned for southbound car lanes to San Ysidro (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• For Women, Hillcrest Isn’t the Only Gayborhood (Voice of San Diego)
• Population in local immigration jails swells; more judges assigned to handle cases (SDUT)
• New hearing set for liquor license at Hollywood Jamul casino (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Yes, SANDAG and other agencies are allowed to lie on the ballot (Voice of San Diego)
• Former El Cajon Police station site to house Hampton Hotel, In-N-Out Burger (SDUT)
• New Study Finds Use Of Community Choice Energy Feasible (KPBS)
• Blind Syrian Refugee, With Family, Finds Safety in San Diego (NBC7)
• San Diego roads need more attention and oversight, audit finds (SDUT)

STATE

• California lawmakers extend cap-and-trade extension (Los Angeles Times)
• How did your lawmaker vote on California’s climate change program? (L.A. Times)
• Energy costs making California unaffordable for too many (Riverside Press-Enterprise)
• Author shelves California teacher tenure bill: surprise alternative emerges (School Info)
• Here’s the most detailed visual of the California budget we know of—come get lost in it  (Cal Matters)
• California Still Facing Pension Crisis Even With Good Stock Market Returns (Reason)
• Market transformation will end dominance of electrical utilities, regulators predict (SDUT)

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

July 18, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Lost mothers: An estimated 700 to 900 women in the U.S. died of pregnancy-related causes in 2016. We have identified 126 of them so far. (Pro Publica)
• Baby boomers turn to stem cells for help with painful joints (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Novel leukemia treatment could be first U.S. gene therapy (ABC)
• Dental lobby prevails: grieving parents shelve `Caleb’s law’ again (Times of San Diego)
• Could Charlie Gard’s case happen in the United States? (CNN)
• SDSU Study Reveals Hookah Chemical Linked To Cancer, Heart Disease (KPBS)
• 'Living Drug' That Fights Cancer By Harnessing The Immune System Clears Key Hurdle
• Her newborn kept getting sick because she was ingesting placenta, CDC says (Jewish World Review)
• Artificial sweeteners linked to weight gain over time, review of studies says (ABC)
• Seeking Online Medical Advice? Google's Top Results Aren't Always On Target (NPR)
• NHS ranked 'number one' health system (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• High speed Hyperloop ready for key test in Nevada (Reuters)
• Jupiter’s great red spot (CBS)
• FBI warns parents of privacy risks associated with internet-connected toys  (Reuters)
• Honda recalls more than 1M cars over battery fires (10 News)
• China just switched on the world's largest floating solar power plant (WeForum)
• Food Evolution: The GMO debate continues (Cosmos)

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

East County News Service

July 17, 2017 (Santee) – In a 5-0 unanimous vote, the Santee City Council has authorized Mayor John Minto to send an official letter from the council to San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore requesting a change in Gore’s internal policy regarding the issuance of concealed weapon permits. Specifically, the council is asking Sheriff Gore to accept self-defense or personal protection to fulfill California’s requirement of “good cause.” 

By Terri Steele

July 17, 2017 (San Diego) -- There’s a ray of hope on the horizon for 16 to 24-year-olds looking for jobs, an education and a better future.  It springs from a $1.3 million U.S. Department of Labor grant recently awarded to the not-for-profit Heartland Coalition. 

The hope is with a program called YouthBuild.  And it’s working with East County community partners like Rock Church, Foothills, the County of San Diego and City of El Cajon to help them identify disaffected youth who are eager to get back to work and need an education.

East County News Service

July 16, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Brandon Worley, a parolee at large wanted in connection to a stolen assault rifle, was captured today following a pursuit through El Cajon, Rancho San Diego, Alpine and Descanso.

By Miriam Raftery

July 16, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Senate has introduced a revamped bill to repeal and replace the Affordable Healthcare Act with a new provision aimed at getting conservative votes. The newest version would allow insurance companies to sell skimpy “bare bones” insurance plans provided they offer at least one that meets the requirements of Obamacare.  So, insurers could exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, maternity care, drug addiction, mental health and more, under the mantra of offering consumers a “choice.”  The CEOs of major insurance companies sent a joint letter to Senate leaders Friday calling the plan “unworkable in any form” and warning it will lead to “widespread termination of coverage.”

Story and photos by Mary Sasso

July 16, 2017 (Mount Helix) – Saturday night’s Astronomy Night atop Mount Helix attracted astronomy buffs as well as photographers seeking shots of the expansive city views below, families, and couples set up with picnic blankets watching the romantic sunset.