By Miriam Raftery

December 19, 2014 (San Diego) – A delightful array of pottery by local artisans was on display during the San Diego Pottery Tour. This year’s event showcased works by more than 30 local potters at nine studios, including several in East County.

East County News Service

December 20, 2014 (La Mesa) – A 90-year-old pipe organ has been restored at La Mesa’s Central Congregational Church, which will host a concert at 3 p.m.on January 25^th to celebrate completion of the restoration.  The church is located at 8360 Lemon Avenue.

The New York Bakery is back!  You can print this coupon and savor a fresh mini-Danish with your next cup of coffee when you stop by  New York Bakery in downtown El Cajon.

We thank New York Bakery for providing all the delicious desserts for our holiday party this year, too!

December 19, 2014 (El Cajon) – The city of El Cajon announces vacancies on five civic boards.  They are:

·         Gillespie Field Development Council - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31,        2019, and one vacancy for a four-year term expiring March 18, 2019

·         Personnel Commission - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Planning Commission - two vacancies for four-year terms expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Public Safety Facility Financing Oversight Committee - four vacancies for four-year terms expiring January 31, 2019.

·         Veterans’ Commission - one vacancy for a four-year term expiring January 31, 2019.

East County News Service

December 19, 2014 (San Diego) – Five people are dead and 28 have been sickened with listeria after eating pre-packaged caramel apples. The illnesses have occurred in ten states including California, according to the U.S.Centers for Disease Control.

East County News Service

December 19, 2014 (San Diego)--Sony Pictures Entertainment has cancelled its Christmas day debut of the comedy film "The Interview" at theaters nationwide following cyberattacks that released personal data of Sony employees, followed by threats from the hackers of 9-11 style attacks on theaters.   The film depicted journalists recruited by the CIA to assassinate North Korea's President Kim Jung-Un.

Today, the FBI issued a statement on its investigation which has confirmed that North Korea is behind the threats. Below is the full text of the FBI release, provided by Special Agent Darrell Foxworth:

By Miriam Raftery

December 18,2014 (San Diego) – The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity at San Diego State University has been shut down for disciplinary action and will remain closed until at least fall of 2016. Additionally, individuals involved in the harassment policy violation will be subject to a Title IX policy investigation and a student code of conduct policy violation investigation.

San Diego State University’s Division of Student Affairs has announced the disciplinary action due to consistent pattern of policy violations including harassment of  women participating in a Take Back the Night March on Friday, November 21st as well as serious hazing and alcohol misconduct issues.

By Paul Kruze

December 16, 2014 (Spring Valley) -- Promising a heightened attention to transparency and public involvement in its decisions and special attention to the area around the community of Crest, three newly-elected members of the San Miguel Fire District, Mike Vacio, Jim Ek, and Theresa McKenna, were sworn into office by El Cajon Superior Court Presiding Judge, Laura Halgren at last Wednesday’s regularly scheduled monthly board meeting.  The three replaced previously elected members, Richard Augustine, Chris Winter, and Jeffrey Lyle Nelson, who lost their bids to serve a second four-year term in the November General Election. The board positions held by William Kiel, Dave Rickards, Karrie Johnston, and Dan McMillan are slated for re-election in 2016.

Photo: Winter solstice sunrise on Cowles Mountain

December 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has some wonderful events, from winter solstice walks to  performances of holiday classics including the Nutcracker Ballet and Handel’s Messiah. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions…from the Aztecs playing in the Poinsettia Bowl to the Trout Reopener at Santee Lakes.

So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.

Source: County News Service

December 18, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) - The winter months can be more fire hazardous for most households, but the good news is that all of the hazards can be avoided if people are made aware of them and take precautions.

 “It can be a great time of year and you don’t want to see that turn tragic because someone wasn’t diligent,” says Kelly Gaffrey of the San Diego County Fire Authority.

By Miriam Raftery

December 17, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – Two California Congressmen slipped language into the $1.1 trillion spending bill signed into law by the President, calling on the federal government to stop spending money enforcing marijuana laws in states where medical marijuana has been legalized. But the language is vague and lacks teeth, so it’s not yet clear whether marijuana patients, clinics and growers can breathe a sigh of relief.

December 18,  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

• 2014 set to be record year for San Diego tourism (CBS 8)
• Innocent Alpine resident detained for a week (CityBeat)
• San Diego City Council staffer suspended without pay after shooting comment (KPBS)
• Checkpoints push buttons, boundaries (UT)
• The bizarre unity of the SANDAG board (KPBS)

STATE

• Buying A Home In California Is Harder For Middle Class Families In 2014 (KPBS)
• New concerns about big quake fault (UT)
• Caltrans Broadens Its Mission As Californians Change The Way They Travel (KPBS)

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

East County News Service

December 17, 2014 (Washington D.C.) – A bill to extend the wind production tax credit and investment tax credit, along with other tax incentives for wind energy developers, has passed both houses of Congress and is now on President  Barack Obama’s desk.

January 6, 2015 (Poway) - Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals are coming to the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Foundation on Saturday, January 24^th at 8 p.m. Felix Cavaliere is best known as the keyboardist and lead singer of the 1960’s Young Rascals, kings of blue-eyed soul! With hits “Groovin’” “Good Lovin’” “A Beautiful Mornin’” and more.