By Greg Dunne

March 6, 2013 -  Last week I did back to back hikes in Missions Trails Regional Park. I was treated with three Mule Deer on the trail—a great sight!  I have only seen deer at Mission Trails once before and that was after the Cedar fires of 2003.

It was on my way back from North Mt. Fortuna that I spotted the trio of deer. They were not as skittish as I thought they might be and I was able to watch them and take photos for at least three or four minutes.

By Miriam Raftery

March 4, 2013 (San Diego) – The California Public Utilities Commission has announced that it has moved a hearing on the Quail Brush power plant from San Francisco to San Diego .  The hearing, at which a vote is expected, is set for March 21 at the Conference Center Hearing Room, 5520 Overland Ave., San Diego 92123 Click for Map. 

The announcement comes after five postponements of the hearing, amid allegations that CPUC's Chairman violated state open meetings law to exert undue influence; project opponents are calling for his recusal from the vote.

The California Energy Commission, meanwhile, has cancelled a public workshop set for March 3 at Grossmont College. 

Quail Brush, a gas-fired power plant proposed near Mission Trails Regional Park, has generated strong community opposition. Save Mission Trails, an activist group battling the project, has announced it plans to stage a rally at 8 a.m. prior to the 9 a.m. hearing.

Update February 13:  The CPUC has postponed its decisions until February 28.  This is the fourth delay on the controversial projects.

February 12, 2013 (San Diego)—The California Public Utilities Commission is expected to decide this Wednesday, February 13 on whether or not to approve three gas-powered “peaker” plants in San Diego County, including Quail Brush near Mission Trails, as well as facilities in Otay and Escondido. The meeting will be held in San Francisco at 9 a.m. 

If you wish to send a letter to the CPUC, Save Mission Trails has information posted here.

January 29, 2013 (Santee)--Van Collingsworth, Executive Director of Preserve Wild Santee, snapped this portrait of a coyote this week.

“The Coyote had just finished drinking from Sycamore Creek near the boundary of Fanita Ranch, MCAS- Miramar, and a Mission Trails Expansion Area parcel of East Elliot,” he states. “Sycamore Creek is an important wildlife corridor and is the last clean running creek in Santee because there is no urban development in the watershed that feeds it on MCAS-Miramar and Fanita Ranch.” 

Learn more about Preserve Wild Santee at  facebook.com/PreserveWildSantee

October 2, 2012 (San Diego, CA) -- On Saturday, September 22, the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) sponsored a “Friendraiser” at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. Over 200 guests attended the event that raised funds for the foundation. Susan Hansen, the Executive Director of the SDBIF, stated, “…it was a great success. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were having such a good time at the Mission Trails Visitor Center, nobody wanted to leave.”

Solar Shines Bright To Help San Diego Fight Construction Of Gas Power Plant 

July 25, 2012 (Santee) – San Diego’s Planning Commission voted last week against rezoning open space near Mission Trails Regional Park to install a gas-fired power plant. But the decision can be appealed at City Council.  Residents in Santee and San Diego have voiced strong opposition to the Quail Brush power plant on the site  bordering both communities. 

“We have created the San Diego Solar Program to offer a reliable clean energy solution that benefits our local communities,” said Daniel Sullivan, founder and president of Sullivan Solar Power. “Not only are program participants saving money and helping our region meet our energy demands, they are getting paid to do so.”

To help with declaring energy independence, a free San Diego Solar Program informational solar luncheon is being hosted for East County residents on Saturday, August 4, at 11 a.m. at Santee City Hall, Civic Building #7 (10601 Magnolia Ave, Santee, CA 92071).

By Miriam Raftery

July 19, 2012 (San Diego)  At  9 a.m. today, the San Diego Planning Commission will hold an important vote to determine whether to rezone open space to industrial land in order to allow a proposed natural gas-fired power plant to be built next to Mission Trails Regional Park.

 By Miriam Raftery

June 30, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – A new website, www.savemissiontrails.org, has been launched to oppose the Quail Brush Generation Power Plant.  The group asks the public to send e-mails to decision makers and attend two key upcoming meetings, both on July 19. 

• Carlton Oaks land agreement will connect Mission Trails to River Trail (Santee Patch)
• Victim in fatal Alpine crash was to graduate from UCSD (UT San Diego)
• La Mesa Spring Valley School District faces negative bond rating (San Diego Reader)
• Giant SDG&E line sparks rural activism (UT San Diego)
• A closer look at executive pay at Sempra, Qualcomm and other companies (UT  San Diego)
• The local newspaper makes national news- NYT criticizes UT San Diego for using newspaper as pulpit for business interests (Voice of San Diego)

• ‘Third strike’ and GMO foods labeling initiatives qualify ballot (Sacramento Bee)
• Sacramento leaders eye pension changes, sales tax (Sacramento Bee)
• Election officials: get used to uncounted ballots (Sacramento Bee)
• California likely to need to cut spending more (Reuters)
• California Highway Patrol Officers  union agrees to monthly furlough (Sacramento Bee)  

UPDATE: "Squawk!" initially scheduled to be performed by the SDSU Theater Department in the Visitor Center Outdoor Amphitheater on Saturday, March 17, and Saturday, March 31 has been postponed because of the impending rain on March 17, and the SDSU Spring Break on March 31.  "Squawk!" will now be performed on Friday, April 20, at 3:00 p.m.

March 11, 2012 (San Diego)--SQUAWK! will be performed by the San Diego State University Theater Arts Department on Saturday, March 17, at 3 p.m. in the amphitheater at Mission Trails Regional Park. 

The theme of this 90-minute play touches on human conflict and competition in a metaphorical story about the birds of the world - engaged in a bitter but comical struggle - in their search for a way to choose a winner of a peace song competition. The props are an umbrella and stick held by the performers using bird like movements and sounds. The performance is free and will be performed in the Visitor Center Amphitheater. 

January 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – The San Diego Clarinet Quintet will perform a free concert this Sunday, January 15 at 3 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park. These talented musicians have performed with the San Diego Symphony, San Diego Ballet, San Diego Opera, and Starlight Opera.

Their dazzling technique and versatility include classical chamber music of Mozart and Debussy as well as jazz favorites by Duke Ellington, Scott Joplin ragtime and the music of George Gershwin.

January 12, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – View the planet Jupiter, star constellations, and the Andromeda Galaxy at a stargazing party this Saturday, January 14 at Mission Trails Regional Park from 5-8 p.m. Join trail guide and resident stargazer George Varga for this star-studded free event.

December 13, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Following an examination, the San Diego Medical Examiner has concluded that Jeffery Martin Andrews, 33, died of sudden cardiac arrest associated with coronary artery atherosclerosis.

November 13, 2011 (San Diego)--Amy Lynn Kanner returns to the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center Theater with her Celtic Harp, for a performance on Sunday, November 20, at 3 p.m. The concert will be followed by a public reception in the Visitor Center Gallery.

September 7, 2011 (San Diego) –A man found dead this morning in Mission Trails Regional Park had “small puncture wounds on his lower extremities” that “may have been snake-related,” Lt. Andra Brown with the San Diego Police has informed East County Magazine. An autopsy is pending to determine cause of death.

Meanwhile, authorities are seeking the identity of the man, who carried no identification. According to Lt. Brown, the victim was a white male around 30 years old. He was wearing clothes and shoes consistent with a runner or jogger.

Update:  Kathryn Kevern has been located and is safe, authorities confirm.

July 22, 2011 (Tierrasanta) – San Diego Police ask the public’s help to locate Kathryn “Kate” Kevern, 53, who told a friend she was going for a walk at 7:30 p.m. last night and would return within the hour, but never came back to the home at 4792 Calle de Vida. She has short brown hair and wears prescription glasses. She was last seen wearing a white straw hat and a full length green sundress.

July 19, 2011 (San Diego) – A car fire spread into brush alongside State Route 52 near mast Boulevard this afternoon on the northern edge of Mission Trails Regional Park.

by Miriam Raftery

July 10, 2011 (San Diego)--“Hunger is at record levels here in San Diego,” John Lucero Criswell with the San Diego Hunger Coalition told members of the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce during a breakfast Friday at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Three food banks distribute 31 million pounds of food a year to the needy in our region, but demand has increased 10% in the past year as more people lose jobs and fall into poverty.

July 1, 2011 (San Diego) -- San Diego Sheriff Bill Gore will speak at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce breakfast on Friday, July 8 from 7-9 a.m.  This month's breakfast will be held at the Mission Trails Regional Park Visitors Center.

June 22, 2011 (San Diego)--SummerFest tickets are selling fast!  Join us June 26 at Mission Trails Regional Park for a  feast cooked up by Chefs de Cuisine, plus wine and beer tasting, live music, thousands of dollars in prizes and more -- all for just $25 ($20 if you buy 2 or more tickets) if you buy in advance online (at the door: $30 or two for $50).

Get tickets and prize list here: www.eastcountymagazine.org/summerfest-2011

Scroll down to view the juicy details of the full menu--then make plans to join us for this fabulous midsummer feast!

May 22, 2011 (San Diego) – Explore Mission Trails Day provided kids and adults with plenty to discover—from guided hikes along trails through the 5,800 acre Mission Trails Regional Park preserve to up-close encounters with birds of prey from the Sky Hunters Raptor and Rehabilitation Facility.

May 10, 2011 (San Diego) --  Mission Trails Regional Park, one of our City’s least known, great treasures, is open every day. But only once a year do dozens of volunteers, Park Rangers and community leaders host a large free event to help San Diegans learn more about their Park and how to enjoy it.  On Saturday, May 21, residents of all ages are invited to the 2011 event: Explore Mission Trails Day  On May 21, 2011, Mission Trails will hold activities free for all ages.

The younger children can learn about things like bats, nature walks, raptors, reptiles, and other animals. There will also be pony rides for the kids (until 1:30 p.m.)  Older kids and adults will find nature discovery stations, a rock-climbing wall, hiking pole demos (7:30-11 a.m.). There will also be a star-gazing party.

Thanks to all who made our SummerFest a sizzling success--over 300 community members who attended, dozens of sponsors, a legion of loyal volunteers, the talented Chefs de Cuisine,  Mission Trails Regional Park Foundation for hosting our event at their beautiful facility, and our VIP guests including two members of Congress. (Watch for photos soon). 

If you missed the festivities, join us next year!

Kids and adults are encouraged to enter photos by April 15 deadline

March 9, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Mission Trails Regional Park, a 6,150-acre jewel in the County’s park system, seeks entries in its 19th annual Annual Photography Contest. All photos must be taken within Mission Trails Regional Park from an authorized trail or have the Park as the subject.

So grab your camera and go take a hike—you just may win a prize of up to $100—and have your masterpiece displayed in the Visitor & Interpretative Center.