East County News Service

Longtime Mission Trails Regional Park docent and author of the new book Nature Adventures! will sign books at Maxwell’s House of Books Thursdays, July 13^th and 20th

July 10, 2017 (La Mesa) -- She’s not originally from around here, but New York transplant and lifelong educator, Linda Gallo Hawley, can school most San Diegans on the region's native flora, fauna and even cultural history. In fact, she’s made her own mark on the culture of the region through her monthly “Nature Adventures!” programs at Mission Trails Regional Park, where she guides primary school children through the park’s many trails, pointing out unique and interesting plants and signs of wildlife along the way, all while singing catchy tunes like “The Ecosystem Song” and the “Big Brown Bats Song.” Now visitors to the La Mesa Classic Car Show have two chances to meet the captivating teacher in person.

Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren

July 1, 2017 (San Diego) -- If you are going to lie around on the beach this summer season, at least bring a good book. The way to find a good book is to visit an author's book signing. There are signings of everything from self-help to graphic space novels. Also, for you writers and would be writers, there are job openings and classes to take. This week we have Words to Live By by local author Lee Silber.

Scroll down for a full calendar of local events for readers and writers.

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Lakeside) - The Barona Cultural Center & Museum invites kids in grades K-2 and their parents to listen to the book Way Out in the Desert and take an exciting musical tour of the Sonoran Desert as part of the latest Keyip! Kechuw! (Listen! Make!) Native American themed story time and craft event on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Keyip! Kechuw! is a free monthly program designed to inspire young children to read, have fun learning, and get creative. The events are held at the Lakeside Library located at 9839 Vine Street.

By Miriam Raftery

May 25, 2017 (San Diego)—“Coast to Catcus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors” by Diana Lindsay has received first place in the Outdoor Writers Association California’s 2017 Craft Awards Media Competition. Judges felt that the design and visual appeal of the entry was “Inspiring, intriguing and compelling.”

Chuck The Rooster Loses His Voice, by Sigal Haber (Amazon, 2017, 32 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 15, 2017 (San Diego) - After many years as a university professor, teaching and researching entrepreneurship and management, Sigal Haber asked herself how to introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young children?

How does one introduce the concept of entrepreneurship to young children? Teach them in a fun way what does it mean to be a leader in a community and to take responsibility in a humorous way? These questions brought Haber to write the book Chuck the Rooster Loses His Voice.

POLITICS: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama, by Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D. (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2016, 332 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Wilmer J. Leon, III, PhD., has written a provocative and well researched book on politics and race relations; Politics: Another Perspective – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama. When I read Dr. Leon’s book it is like “preaching to the choir”, particularly his take on the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright in my hometown of Chicago. I am well aware of Dr. Wright’s place in history, and especially as it regards the ascension of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States. Former President Barack Obama was actually a member of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright’s church at one time prior to becoming president, as well as Oprah Winfrey.

By Dennis Moore

By Sam Warren, copyright 2017

April 8, 2017 (San Diego) – Whether you’re looking to write your first novel, meet a novelist, or hear from the White House insider who disclosed President Nixon’s secret taping system, you’ll find a trove of events for readers and writers in San Warren’s literary calendar this week.

East County News Service

March 21, 2017 (El Cajon) - The El Cajon branch of the San Diego County Library at 201 E. Douglas Avenue in El Cajon will host its second annual Family Play Day on Saturday, April 1 at 12:00 p.m. There will be crafts and activities for kids of all ages, as families learn how to make play items from common, everyday materials.  It’s fun, inexpensive, and teaches kids how to be resourceful.  This event is sponsored by the Friends of the El Cajon Library.

East County News Service

March 10, 2017 (Alpine) - Join the East County Rose Society as they drink tea and discuss Jane Austen's novel, Emma, on April 15 at 2:00 p.m. at the Alpine Library.

Update! Hear our interview with author Diana Lindsay, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.  She discusses her book, the Anza Borrego Foundation and its anniversary,  as well as the colorful lore of the Anza Borrego Desert.

Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors, by Diana Lindsay (Sunbelt Publications, Inc., San Diego, California, 2016, 595 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

In the end, we will conserve only what we love

We will love only what we understand,

We will understand only what we are taught.

• Baba Dioum, Senegalese Conservationist

March 3, 2017 (San Diego) - The beauty and splendor of outdoor life in San Diego County is exemplified in this book by Diana Lindsay, managing editor of Sunbelt Publications; Coast to Cactus: The Canyoneer Trail Guide to San Diego Outdoors. Along with Paula Knoll and Terri Varnell, of the editing team of this groundbreaking book, it is an indispensable guide for hikers and all others interested in the outdoors of this beautiful area called San Diego County.

By Sam Warren © 2017

February 26, 2017 (San Diego) – From author appearances to tips for writers and a writing competition, Sam Warren’s calendar has plenty of events in San Diego and East County for both readers and writers.

The Blood Of Emmett Till, by Timothy B. Tyson (Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, 2017, 291 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

• Sir Winston Churchill

February 22, 2017 (San Diego) - The Blood Of Emmett Till is perhaps the most painful and disturbing book that I have ever read, and I am a professional writer and book reviewer, having written more than 200 book reviews. Two of those book reviews contributed towards the authors winning the NAACP Image Award in Literature; Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow and Gregory Reed’s Obama Talks Back. It parallels Without Sanctuary: Lynching Photography in America by James Allen and Hilton Als, which I also had written a review of.

Quiet Thoughts, by Jacqueline Carr (Creatspace, 2016, 60 pages)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or

the mirror that reflects it.”

- Edith Wharton -

February 13, 2017 (San Diego) - Jacqueline Carr, who has been a freelance contributor to the East County Magazine in San Diego – having written a review of New York Times Bestselling author Caitlin Rother’s book Naked Addiction, has now written her own book, Quiet Thoughts. This splendid and insightful book of poetry, is reflective of Carr’s background as an Adjunct Instructor at York College (CUNY), and literary enthusiast. She is also the author of another book on poetry, A Selected Few Just For You.

East County News Service

February 9, 2017 (Spring Valley) - Karamu, a celebration of  Black History Month, will be held February 25^th from 1 to 3 p.m. at the county library in Spring Valley at 836 Kempton Street from 1 to 3 p.m.  This event will include speakers, art, live entertainment, children’s activities and refreshments.