November 18, 2015 (San Diego)--This holiday season Visionary School for the Performing Arts presents “Kracked Nutz”, a holiday musical revue, at the Visionary Performance Space (7202 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115) on December 3rd-5^th at 7 p.m. directed by the VSPA teaching artists.

By Sarka-Jonae Miller, Ask an Author columnist

November 17, 2015 (San Diego)--The Cheese Store of San Diego (1980 Kettner Blvd, Ste 30, San Diego, California 92101) is hosting a Je Suis Paris fundraiser on Nov 22 at 6 p.m. to benefit the French Red Cross following last week’s terrorist attacks. Organized by Adventures By the Book owner Susan E. McBeth, the event will feature a candle lighting ceremony and a silent auction for signed books by best-selling authors Jennifer Coburn, Susan Vreeland, Michelle Gable, and more. French foods samples, wine, and desserts will also be available.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: U.S. Army marksmanship training

November 19, 2015 (Alpine) –The County Planning Commission last week voted to allow two additional appeals of an interim permit issued by the planning director for Covert Canyon to operate firearms training for military, governmental and law enforcement. The groups have 10 days to file appeals. A December 11^th hearing is set to hear all appeals.

The appeals requests were filed by Danielle Belliveau on behalf of 15 Alpine residents and from attorney Marco Gonzalez of Coast Law Group representing Cleveland National Forest Foundation, Save Our Forests and Ranchlands, and the Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation.  Those requests were in addition to a previously accepted appeal filed by neighbors Clark and Robin Williams, who live within 300 feet of Covert Canyon. (See ECM ‘s previous article on the appeals and on the County’s interim approval of a stipulated administrative enforcement order. )

Photo:  Youtube screen-shot

By Liz Alper

November 18, 2015 - After ISIS released a video vowing that it would attack several other major cities worldwide, including Washington, D.C., the hacker group Anonymous released its own video stating that its members would unleash "waves of attacks" on the terrorist group, CBS News reports.  ISIS is also known as ISIL, the Islamic State, or by the Arabic acronym Daesh.

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (San Diego) - The enrollment period is now open for Covered California, which aims to sign up 450,000 new enrollees by the end of January, when the third open enrollment season ends.

East County News Service

November 16, 2015 (San Diego)--A 90-year-old man who died from complications due to influenza is the first local flu-related death recorded this season, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency reported.

Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 17, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - The Kitchen is the heart of the home during the holidays. Keep it safe with these safety tips:

Warner Springs Ranch Habitat and Cultural Conservancy oversees protection of the resort currently under renovation

November 16, 2015 (Warner Springs)--Warner Springs Ranch Resort has formed the nonprofit Warner Springs Ranch Habitat and Cultural Conservancy to protect and manage the property’s numerous historic, cultural and natural assets.

November 17, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - New York Times and USA TODAY best-selling author Kristan Higgins will be appearing at the Mira Mesa Barnes & Noble (10775 Westview Parkway San Diego, CA 92126) on November 18 at 7PM. Higgins is the two-time RITA award-winning author of more than two dozen books, including the acclaimed Blue Heron series. I caught up with the romance and women's fiction authoress to discuss her latest novels, what's she most looking forward to during her trip to San Diego, and helpful advice for writers.

Refugees in Europe, most fleeing ISIS, risk death with winter approaching if not enough places will accept them. But fear of potential terrorism has led some nations to bar entry.

Photo: Refugees marching across Europe arrive in Slovenia; source: Slovenia Ministry of Defense.

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – After Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris, for which the Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility, President Barack Obama reaffirmed his commitment to admit 10,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. over the next year.

But governors in half of all states nationwide have reportedly said that they oppose taking any Syrian refugees in their states, or want to postpone admitting them until screen procedures are approved, according to reports by Associated Press, CNN and USA Today.

Board to vote Nov. 19 on whether to incur $550,000 in new debt to fund continuing legal battle

By Miriam Raftery

November 16, 2015 (Alpine)— Superior Court Judge Joel Pressman  has set a December 17^th hearing date for a trial filed against the Grossmont Union High School District by supporters of an Alpine High School. The suit seeks to assure that a fair share of bond money approved by voters will be used to build the long-promised school.  

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported that Judge Pressman urged both sides to settle and even offered to help—after an appeals court ruled that Grossmont violated an obligation to voters by failing to build the Alpine high school and upheld Pressman’s decision to order funds set aside.

But far from seeking to settle, the GUHSD this week will be considering approval of $550,000 in additional legal fees to continue the battle. The GUHSD already has authorization to spend $1.8 million and had spent $1.4 million as of June on the case, board documents reveal.

November 16, 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.

• New York, other U.S. cities beef up security after Paris attacks (Reuters)
• Supreme Court to hear abortion case that could erode Roe v. Wade (Huffington Post)
• Experts: Terrorists learning from each other and going after soft targets (Washington Post)
• About 1,500 Mormons resign from church in protest of same-sex policy (Reuters)
• Second democratic presidential debate: 7 moments that mattered (ABC news)
• GOP field takes new shape after Paris attacks (Politico)
• Jeb Bush: Respond to Paris attack by only accepting Christian refugees(Raw Story)
• In new shock poll, Sanders has landslide over both Trump and Bush (The Hill)
• Clinton Has 45-To-1 'Superdelegate' Advantage Over Sanders NPR

WORLD

Europe

• Video: world shows solidarity with France in wake of terror attacks (France 24)
• Islamic State video threatens attacks in Russia 'very soon': site monitoring group (Reuters)
• British jihadist may have planned Paris-style attack in Istanbul (CS Monitor)
• Europe worries Malta giving Libyans backdoor to EU (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Athens erupts in violent protests over austerity measures (CS Monitor)

Middle East

• Battle for Sinjar: IS-held town  in Iraq“liberated” (BBC)
• Hezbollah chief condemns Paris attacks, vows retaliation for Beirut bombings (Reuters)
• U.S. strike believed to have killed ‘Jihadi John’ (BBC)
• Two suicide bombers hit Hezbollah bastion in Lebanon, 43 killed (Reuters)
• Lebanon detains 7 Syrian, 2 Lebanese terror suspects (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• U.S. to provide $115 million in aid to Syrian, Iraqi refugees (Reuters)
• Indyk: Israel offered Palestinians portions of Area C in West Bank and a building freeze (JPost)
• Palestinian songs encourage youth to attack Jews with 'knives and cleavers'(JPost)

Other world news

• Human trafficking survivor: I was raped 43,200 times (CNN)
•  Brazil levies initial fines of $66 million against mine for burst dams (Reuters)

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

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: #PrayforParis, Twitter

November 15, 2015 (San Diego) – In the aftermath of the worst bombings in Paris since World War II,  eight coordinated attacks Friday that killed at least 129 people and wounded hundreds more, France has launched massive air strikes against ISIS in Syria, NBC reports.  The air strikes reportedly destroyed an ISIS command post, arms depot and terrorist training camp.

ISIS, or the Islamic State, claimed responsibility for Saturday’s attacks, calling them the “first of the storm,” according to a New York Times article.  ISIS indicated the attacks were retaliation for French forces supporting a U.S.-led coalition against ISIS in Syria and Iraq.  Meanwhile, people around the world have taken to social media to show solidarity with France.