By Miriam Raftery

January 3, 2015 (Sacramento)—“I wish everyone bone-appetit,” quipped Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, author of a bill signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown that now makes it legal for restaurants to allow patrons to bring their dogs for dining on outdoor patios, effective January 1^st of this year.

January 2, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Our November radio shows are now online!  You can listen online now (note sound files may take a minute to load). For links to listen to the shows plus a full list of topics and interviews in November, click here and scroll down.

We covered many hot issues and spoke with fascinating newsmakers including: Kumeyaay elder and former Hot Shots firefighter Charlie Brown,  Gretchen Burns-Bergman from A New Path on drug sentencing changes,  Anne Hoiberg with the United Nations and  KNSJ president Marie Johnson on efforts to stop violence against women, Pastor Harold Brown from East County Transitional Living Center on his programs helping the homeless, Art Neill from New Media Rights on net neutrality, insurance broker Marilyn Lyons on Covered California and Medi-Cal options, Tyler Strauss from Outlier Collective on medical marijuana issues, former State Senator Nathan Fletcher on his Three Wise Men foundation to help veterans, Chaldean community leader Mark Arabo on local priests ordered to Iraq, Grossmont school board candidate Barbara Stevens, and Pastor Terry Masango from Salvation Army on the East County Toy and Food Drive. 

We also spoke with authors and artists including La Mesa Police Chief Dan Willis on his book, Bullet Proof Spirit, San Diego Jewish World editor Don Harrison on his new book, Schlepping Across the West: There’s a Jewish Story Everywhere, Author Paula Margulies on her novels from a Native American viewpoint, and Maestero Anthony Mostardo with the San Diego Festival and Chorus, airing Vivaldi's Gloria.

January 2, 2015 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning recommending that the public avoid powdered pure caffeine—especially bags sold over the internet.  At least two young men who used powdered caffeine have died, the FDA reports.

January 2, 2015 (El Cajon)-- Heartland Fire Dispatch received reports at 6:21 p.m. on January 1^st of a structure fire at 1753 Woodburn Street in El Cajon.  As fire crews arrived on scene they found the attic area of the home in flames. Heartland Fire & Rescue crews from El Cajon, with assistance from the Santee Fire Department, quickly had the fire out in ten minutes.

January 1, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Nature and landscape photographers Ernie and Kati Cowan will lead a Cactus and Canyons photo tour to explore some of the most scenic and secret places of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park on Saturday, January 17^th. This all day-hike runs from 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

January 1, 2014 (San Diego)—The San Diego Sheriff’s office is hiring.

Recruitment for sworn positions will open for ten days in January. It means you can apply on-line for the position and register to take the written exam. The application process is often suspended to process all those that have come in.

Hear our interview with El Cajon Police Officers Association representatives Travis Howard and Samson Pak: http://kiwi6.com/file/rr5i0levth

January 1, 2015 (El Cajon)—On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, El Cajon Police officers stopped 10 people—but instead of giving them tickets, they handed them  cash—thanks to two anonymous donors who gave the police money to help people in the community—and improve the way the community views law enforcement.

January 1, 2015 (Boulevard) – Boulevard resident Pam Lawless has launched a drive seeking donations of doghouses or igloo-style shelters for backcountry dogs in her community.

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Jack Shu, Cleveland National Forest Foundation president: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au... 

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)—Jack Shu, president of the Cleveland National Forest Foundation (CNFF), sat down for an in-depth interview with East County Magazine on KNSJ radio.  CNFF and other environmental groups filed a lawsuit challenging the regional transportation plan proposed by the San Diego Association of Government (SANDAG) .  California Attorney General Kamala Harris joined the suit in support of environmentalist.

CNFF contends that instead of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, as state law requires, SANDAG’s plan will increase them by 700 percent (see chart). 

San Diegans rely 95% on automobiles for transportation and only 3% on transit, yet SANDAG’s plan calls for more freeways instead of expanding transit in the near future.  San Diego also has the seventh worth ozone pollution in the nation as well as serious asthma issues, CNFF argues, yet SANDAG failed to provide a health impact analysis in its plan.

An appellate court and trial court agreed with plaintiffs that SANDAG failed to adequately address air pollution and climate change concerns, yet SANDAG voted 20 to 1 to appeal to the California Supreme Court.

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Monarch butterflies may warrant protection under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service states.  Monarch populations have dropped up to 90 percent in the last 20 years due to loss of milkweed plants that the butterflies need to lay their eggs and nourish caterpillars that emerge from cocoons.

December 31, 2014 (San Diego)--The old song says, “It never rains in Southern California.”

But when we do get rain or snow, like this week’s storm has brought, driving can be an adventure.

To make sure it doesn’t become a mis-adventure, here are some handy driving tips from San Diego County’s Department of Public Works , or  DPW,  that will help make your rainy drive safer.

December 31, 2014 (Santee) - If you love to fish, you may want to mark your calendars for the Trout Reopener at Santee Lakes on January 10^th and 11^th, when the lakes will be stocked with two thousand pounds of rainbow trout.

By Miriam Raftery

December 31, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – A thick blanket of snow has fallen across much of  San Diego’s inland region, transforming the terrain into a winter wonderland this New Year’s Eve. Lindy Klengler sent photos taken at her Hidden Meadows home in Escondido at just 1700 feet elevation, showing snow around her swimming pool and atop palm trees. “Been here 22 years and never had this happen,” she says.

Melody Munoz and Donna Tisdale sent photos from Boulevard, where three to four inches of snow fell overnight and the temperature on New Year’s morning is a chilly 21 degrees. Snow has also blanketed Descanso and coated landmarks in Jacumba.

Julian received 9 inches of snow and on Mt. Palomar, 12 inches—a foot—has fallen, according to the National Weather Service.  ECM  news partner 10 News observes that level “beats Big Bear!”

December 30, 2014 (El Cajon) - Herman’s Hermits will be performing with original lead singer Peter Noone in two concerts on January 17 at Sycuan’s Live & Up Close Theatre in El Cajon. Showtimes for the legendary British band are at 6:30 and 8 p.m. For tickets and details, visit www.Sycuan.com.

December 30, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County has events ranging from a winery concert to a walk up Mount Helix.  Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a concert by the famed British rock band Herman’s Hermits at Sycuan, a photo tour in the Anza Borrego Desert and a Martin Luther King Jr. birthday concert in Lemon Grove.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much more, from East County Magazine.