February 19, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Eric Kallen, who runs the website http://www.jacumbabirding.com, has sent us more beautiful bird photos from Jacumba Hot Springs, including a Hooded Oriole, Lark Bunting, and a Merlin.  Here are his notes on this enticing visitors to our region—including tips on how to attract the yellow-plumed orioles to your backyard.

By Leon Thompson

February 18, 20016 (La Mesa) -- The first La Mesa Town Hall event of 2016 exposed tensions brewing in the relationship between citizens of La Mesa and the City Council.  These open forum sessions aim to give citizens a forum to share “ideas, comments and opinions on issues in their neighborhood and throughout the City,” according to the City’s website.

Source: Grossmont Healthcare District

February 17, 2016 (La Mesa) --The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is seeking nominees for its 2016 Healthcare Hero Awards. Now in its 10th year, the Healthcare Heroes is GHD’s annual awards program honoring volunteers who help advance the delivery of quality healthcare in the East County region. Nomination forms are available at www.grossmonthealthcare.org. Deadline for submission of entries is 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 23. Entries can be mailed, faxed, emailed or personally delivered to the GHD offices, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. For more information, contact the GHD offices at info@grossmonthealthcare.org.

By Liz Alper

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County) - Healthways Silver Sneakers Yoga in East County is offering five free-of-charge yoga classes to anyone interested in participating.  

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

February 18, 2016 (San Diego's East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes a harpsichord and violin concert at Cuyamaca College by the San Diego Early Music Society, an author speaking on San Diego Legends, and an open artists’ studio tour in Borrego Springs.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a concert by country music stars the Gatlin Brothers, a moonlight hike in the Anza-Borrego desert, an all-night run/walk at Pirate’s Cove along Lake Cuyamaca’s shores, the La Mesa Chamber’s Mardi Gras and Salute to Local Heroes, plus a St. Patrick’s weekend run/walk in downtown El Cajon to benefit local charities.

So croll down for all of these events and more.

By Miriam Raftery

February 15, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – The risk of developing dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, increased by 44 percent among older patients taking popular brands of heartburn medications.

East County News Service

February 17, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The Pacific Southwest Association of Realtors (PSAR), a 2,000-member trade group for San Diego area realtors, has announced that La Mesa resident Jan Farley has joined its board of directors. Farley also is serving as the 2016 president of the San Diego chapter of the Women’s Council of Realtors.

By Judy Edelblute

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) - Rancho Bernardo artist Vita Sorrentino won second place in the 53rd annual Lenten Art Show at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, 3502 Clairemont Drive, San Diego. Lee Sie, Clairemont, won first place, and Tamara Stautland, Mission Hills, won third place.

East County artists receiving Honorable Mention awards were Ann Keyes and Ann Schwartzwald, La Mesa,  Anita Chateau, east Chula Vista and Abigail Kurtz Migala, Spring Valley. Other East County artists in the show include Mary Louise Neal-Bulow and Jody Abssy, Cherokee Point; Gloria Galbarith and Anita Chateau, east Chula Vista; Judy A. Sawyer, La Mesa; Susan Hewitt, Vance Komula and Sandra Seckington, Lakeside; and Gwen Small, Talmadge.

By Miriam Raftery

February 17, 2016 (San Diego) —  Zika virus has been the main culprit suspected in thousands of cases of babies in Brazil born with microcephaly, a condition that causes small skulls and under-developed brains.  But now a group of doctors and researchers in Argentina have published a report suggesting another possible cause: the chemical Pyriproxyfen, a larvicide made by a Monsanto subsidiary that has been applied to drinking water supplies in Brazil to control mosquitoes.

East County News Service

Editor’s note: Inka Zamoyska has generously donated artwork recently to benefit East County Magazine.  Here is an opportunity for readers who love her amazing work to view an exhibition of her exquisite oil paintings. 

February 17, 2016 (Carlsbad) -- “This occasion truly felt like an ‘Affair of the Heart’. It seemed like a movie in progress sometimes with the excitement, exuberance of the attendees who were caught up in the ambiance and spirit of the evening. One of the highlights was when Inka was asked to speak to the group and describe her journey through art, her experience and particularly, her evolution toward portraiture painting. The rapt attention of everyone toward what she was expressing was immutable; everyone was entranced, caught up in the story, delighting in the fact that she was giving them some insight into this artful pursuit; a mystical moment.”

East County News Service

February 16, 2016 (Boulevard) – A Sheriff’s deputy fired a shot early this morning at a domestic violence suspect who reportedly charged out of a home in Boulevard, screaming a waving a shovel. The deputy’s shot missed and the suspect, 19-year-old Reid Wohlford, barricaded himself inside the home, but was later apprehended with help from a K-9 dog.

During historic 1998 El Niño season that created $550 million in damages, it was not until February that California experienced flooding damage that warranted a federal presidential declaration 

February 16, 2016 (Oakland Calif.,) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today released new data on National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policies, showing an increase of more than 27,000 new NFIP policies written in California during the month of December 2015. There is a 30 – 90 day waiting period for new policies to be reported to FEMA and the latest available data, released today, shows an increase of more than 55,500 new flood insurance policies purchased in California from August 31 – December 31, 2015.

By Liz Alper

February 16, 2016 (Spring Valley) - Monte Vista High School in Spring Valley is holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of buildings 700, 800 and 800A on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2016 (La Mesa) — On February 11^th, the state adopted new regulations to reduce conservation mandates for water agencies that have taken steps to boost local water supplies .  Helix Water District is expected to get a credit for water bought from the new Carlsbad Desalinization plant, as well as due to high inland temperatures.  The district must apply for the break, but if approved, Helix could see its conservation mandate reduced to reducing water use by 12% instead of 20% through October 2016.

Helix customers have reduced water use 23% compared to 2013, far exceeding the Governor’s 20% required reduction for the district. If the restrictions on water use are eased, next up the board could consider easing or eliminating penalties on water users who exceed the limit—welcome relief for homeowners on larger lots struggling to keep large trees alive as hot weather arrives early.