By SharonAnn Hamilton

July 5, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Dear SharonAnn:

I will be 66 years old and retired by year-end. I am single, in good health, my parents are still living and healthy, and my grandparents passed away in their late 90s so it is likely that I have at least 30 years ahead. I am concerned that my nest egg will not last as long as I do. I want to know for sure! Is there a way to prove the projections made by my financial advisor? I have about $1.5M in 401K investments, I own my own home outright, and Social Security will be $2350 per month.

Signed: I want to KNOW for SURE!

Helix, Padre and Otay Districts share info, tips at Chaldean Chamber meeting

By Miriam Raftery

July 5, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Representatives from Helix,  Padre Dam, and Otay Water districts spoke at a California Drought program hosted by the San Diego East County Chaldean-American Chamber of Commerce on June 24^th in La Mesa.

All three districts are working to make sure their customers comply with Governor Jerry Brown’s order for 25% cuts in water use statewide. But their approaches vary, ranging from educating consumers to offering rebates to one district readying to impose fines on heavy water users.

Here’s what you need to know:

By Mark and Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Milky Way galazy and dragon sculpture in Anza Borrego Desert; © Dennis Mammana/dennismammana.com

July 4, 2015 (Borrego Springs) – Stargazing guru Dennis Mammana has been photographing the night sky for nearly a half century and leading night sky tours for nearly thirty years.  He also teaches workshops that provide in-depth tips on how you can photograph everything from the Milky Way to constellations – and  as we discovered last weekend in Borrego, you don’t have to have a backpack full of professional camera gear to come up with some gorgeous images.

Borrego Springs in 2009 became the first designated International Dark Sky Community in California--thanks in part to the efforts of our helpful host, teacher and guide.  That means there are no bright lights at night to interview with your night-sky viewing pleasure.

Trails To The Stream: Poetry and Inspiration for Everyday Living, by Priscilla Koranteng (Poised Publishing LLC, 2014, 136 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

July 4, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Priscilla Koranteng, author of two earlier books reviewed by this writer in the East County Magazine; Janju: The Voice of One Girl and Janju: A Village Girl in a City World, and the owner and publisher of Poised Publishing LLC, as well as an HR consulting firm; Poised HR Solutions LLC, has written a moving and insightful book on poetry: Trails To The Stream: Poetry And Inspiration For Everyday Living.

July 4, 2015 (San Diego)--As part of the San Diego Animal Welfare Coalition, County Animal Services and six other animal sheltering organizations in the region launched a “Getting to Zero” campaign Wednesday. The effort includes animal shelters in East County.

Youth from the Juvenile Ranch Facility will be moved to the Camp Barrett facility by early August.

County News Service

July 3, 2015 (Camp Barrett)--Plunging juvenile populations are prompting San Diego County Probation to consolidate operations of its two camps for young people: Juvenile Ranch Facility in Campo and Camp Barrett youth facility in rural Alpine. Both camps house male youths.

Photo: Kayla Douglas of Spring  Valley landed this 5 lb. 4 oz Channel Catfish at Hermits Cove

July 1, 2015 (Lakeside) – The Lake Jennings Fish Report for July is out-with plenty of tips and news for fishing enthusiasts. The lake is open every day in July. Here are a few highlights:

East County News Service

Photo: Surveillance image from U.S. Bank

July 3, 2015 (La Mesa) - The FBI and La Mesa Police Department are seeking the public’s assistance to identify the suspect responsible for robbing the U.S. Bank, located inside of the Albertsons grocery store located at 8920 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, California, on Thursday, July 2 at 10:07 a.m.

East County News Service

July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) –June Takekawa Hsu, an 85-year-old La Mesa resident, has died of injuries sustained in a crash on northbound I-5  in Del Mar on June 24th shortly before 5 a.m. , the County Medical Examiner’s office reports.

July 2, 2015 (Ramona) – The San Diego County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE are making a major upgrade to fire and emergency medical services at the County’s Intermountain fire station. Starting July 1, new, around-the-clock paramedic service will be offered for the first time ever. The station is located east of Ramona along CA-78, a main route to Julian.

July 2, 2015 (La Mesa) – There have been reports of a young man with dark hair observed going through people’s mailboxes as he goes door to door in La Mesa.  He then mentions neighbor’s names, supposedly to sell educational material.

In response, Claudia Ortega of the La Mesa Police Department provided a refresher on solicitors in La Mesa and how to stay safe:

June 28, 2015 (San Diego)--Bill Burke, the chief of police for the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), passed away today of unknown causes. He was 68 years old. Burke started with MTS in 2001, was promoted to director of security in 2004 and became its first chief of police in 2011. Prior to working with MTS, Burke was the chief of police for the Cook County Sheriff’s Department in Chicago, Ill.

July 1, 2015 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• The Black and White on Graywater (Voice of San Diego)
• La Mesa's turn to get tough on alcohol sales (UT San Diego)
• Four-star hotel coming to El Cajon (UT San Diego)
• San Diego County Water Authority Approves $1.5B Budget (KPBS)
• El Cajon finances staying strong (UT San Diego)
• Santee budget looking healthy, but PERS is concern (UT San Diego)
• Law Enforcement On Heightened Alert During Fourth Of July Weekend (KPBS)
• Photoshop Trickery! (KUSI)

STATE

• Jerry Brown signs Calif. vaccination bill (Sacramento Bee)
• More Emails Surface On Secret Meetings Over San Onofre Settlement (KPBS)
• Judge wants Edison’s answers (U-T)
• Insider pushed her firm's grid service (UT San Diego)
• Jerry Brown signs Calif. vaccination bill (Sacramento Bee)

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

East County News Service

July 1, 2015 (San Diego) – Law enforcement agencies across the United States, including here in San Diego, have been warned to be on heightened alert for potential terror threats over the July 4^th weekend. Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said Friday that his agency, along with the FBI are “encouraging all law enforcement to be vigilant and prepared.

July 1, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Spring Valley resident Gabriella Martinez, 7, who goes by Ella, recently received a special haircut and found a way to give back to children needing hair replacement.