By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

November 10, 2014 (San Diego)--Cooler weather is upon us so why not put your best foot forward by keeping yourself free from accidents says Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.  ‘Walk this Way’ and plan walk-able routes. Map out a well-lit route with sidewalks and crosswalks and little traffic. Let someone know when and where you are going. Walks are a great opportunity to educate kids about safety. Explain the different traffic signals, remind your kids to stop at the edge of driveways to watch for cars, and teach them never to cross streets without being in a crosswalk.

November 9, 2014 -- On Thursday, November 27 at 8:00 a.m. Pathways Community Church will host the 3rd Annual Waddle and Trot 5K and Fun Run. All proceeds will once again go to Santee Santas and the Santee Food Bank.

This fun family event is intended for runners and walkers of every fitness level.

November 9, 2014 (San Diego)—A free choral concert, “Bright Mornings, Silent Nights” will be presented by the Pacificaires and Cedar Center Chorus on Saturday, December 6 at 2 p.m. in the College Avenue Baptist Church, 4747 College Avenue in San Diego.   The concert features Christian and Jewish holiday favorites as well as secular music.

“You’ll hear the full chorus of 100 singers plus ensembles and soloists, accompanied by a 7-piece orchestra of talented instrumentalists, and maybe a bit of theatrics,” says Kelci Cell, publicity chair. She adds, “We are united by our delight in the power of music to restore and enliven both singers and audiences, especially among seniors.”

By Miriam Raftery

November 9,2014 (San Diego) – An 11-year-old suffered burns to the chest and torso after a fireworks launcher tipped over and sent a firework into field levels seats at Qualcomm Stadium Saturday night.

The accident occurred during the annual KGB Sky Show extravaganza following the San Diego State University homecoming game, in which SDSU defeated the Idaho State Vandals 35-21.

A CBS news report indicates up to five people may have been hit, though it’s unclear whether any were seriously injured.  UT San Diego reports the 1y-ear-old had burns on the torso and legs.

November 8, 2014 (Santee) – The Santee Historical Society invites you to its annual Christmas party at the Barn, 9200 Magnolia Avenue, on Sunday December 6^th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Mama’s Bees, by Anat Tour

Book Review by Dennis Moore

With podcast interview on "East County Magazine Live!" KNSJ 89.1 radio show.

San Diego’s East County resident Anat Tour, is at it again, with her latest book offering, Mama’s Bees. This prolific writer has penned her 6^th children’s book, since we initially met while I was moderating an Author Event at Barnes & Noble Grossmont bookstore in La Mesa, and she asked me for some advice on how to get started. A few weeks later Tour had published as an eBook, Mama’s Shoes. The interesting thing about Mama’s Bees, as told to me in a phone interview with Tour, is that it is actually inspired by a true story.

By Miriam Raftery

November 8, 2014 (La Mesa) – Starting Monday, November 10, Center City Shell at 3810 Massachusetts Avenue will be offering up an ethanol fuel blend made from corn by Pearson Fuel.  The E85 Flex Fuel will be sold for a special rate of just 85 cents a gallon on opening day, when Miss California will be on hand for a ribbon cutting.

East County News Service

November 7, 2014 (El Cajon) – A man in his 40s was struck by a vehicle and killed while walking across Second Street at Marline Avenue in El Cajon shortly after 7 p.m. tonight.

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2014 (San Diego)—A sophomore at San Diego State University has died after falling five stories off an apartment building near campus.  She has been identified as Melissa Kennon, a sophomore studying psychology.

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2014 (San Diego)—The County’s climate action plan lacks teeth to assure that greenhouse gas emission goals will be met,  California’s 4^th District Court of Appeal has ruled. The Appellate Court upheld a San Diego County judge’s ruling in a lawsuit filed by the Sierra Club.

The Sierra Club argued that the county’s reliance on voluntary measures and lack of clear deadlines were not enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the targeted amounts by 2020. The Court also noted that the County rejected mitigation proposed by the Sierra Club without  valid reasons.

East County News Service

November 7, 2014 (El Cajon)—A doctor who volunteered at Volunteers in Medicine in El Cajon and other facilities has been arrested and charged with 24 felony counts, ECM news partner 10 News reports.   The charges include 15 felony counts of sexually penetrating an unconscious victim, 8 counts of sexual battery and one count of child pornography.

By Miriam Raftery

November 6, 2014 (Borrego Springs) – The proposed placement of sexually violent predator Gary Snavely in Borrego Springs has been withdrawn by the Department of State hospitals after the conclusion of public comments, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has announced.

East County News Service

Photo: Scott Peters and family

November 6, 2014 (San Diego)-- Democratic Congressman Scott Peters has taken the lead over Republican challenger Carl DeMaio in the 5nd Congressional District– by a slim margin of just 861 votes, Registrar of Voters Michael Vu announced late today.  That’s a switch from election night, when DeMaio was on top by 752 votes.

East County News Service

November 6, 2014 (San Diego) – Veteran Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi has been released from a Mexican prison, the State Department has announced.  Tahmooressi was arrested and imprisoned for driving across the international border with three guns in his vehicle, which is illegal under Mexican law. He reportedly suffers from post-traumatic stress syndrome and was not able to obtain treatment while imprisoned for over 200 days.

November 6, 2014 (Ramona) – One of the most unusual holiday season traditions in East County is coming up: the fourth annual Pomegranate Days celebration at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona will be held on Saturday and Sunday, November 22 and 23 from noon to 5 p.m.

The festivities include camel rides, bird and camel shows, shopping for holiday gifts such as camel’s milk soaps, and the highlight of the event, feeding pomegranates to the camels.