E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

Dear EarthTalk: What is the Burrowing Owl Conservation Network and why is it so important to put so much effort into saving one species?                               -- Ginny Bateman, Portland, OR

November 9, 2012 (California) --  Western burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia) are tiny, long-legged members of the owl family, native to the Americas and preferring open landscapes where they can dig new holes or use existing ones (such as abandoned prairie dog, skunk or armadillo homes) to nest and rear their young. Unlike most other owl species, these small but charismatic birds are more often seen out and about during daylight hours, but they are most active and do their primary feeding at night, preferring a diet of small rodents and large insects.

November 9, 2012 (Santee) Despite a surplus of winter sunshine rather than snow, the city of Santee has found the formula to making the season feel like an old-fashioned movie, at least for one evening.

Families are invited to experience this magic by attending the City of Santee and Waste Management Holiday Lighting Ceremony at Santee Trolley Square from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 16. The free event, which offers activities for people of all ages, is a festival that celebrates the start of the holiday season.

November 9, 2012 (Campo) – All aboard the Santa Train North Pole Limited at the Pacific Southwest Railway Museum.  The trains will be running Nov. 23-24, 30 and Dec. 7-8, 14-15 & 21-22 and depart at either 5:00 p.m. or 7:00 p.m. from the Museum at Highway 94 at Forrest Gate Road, Campo.

Santa’s Elves will serve cookies and hot cocoa while leading a sing-along of traditional Christmas carols and reading a famous Christmas story while the Limited rockets toward the North Pole.  The train will stop at Santa’s Workshop to allow Santa to board the train and visit with all the children on the return trip.

November 9, 2012 (Alpine) – The Alpine Woman’s Club 8th Annual Holiday Home Tour is December 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. You will have an opportunity to stroll through five stunning homes which will be decorated for the holidays and visit a local church which will also be decorated for the season.

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- Much is happening in San Diego County parks and recreation centers this November.  There is something for everyone, from crafts to wild life and nature hikes.  Visit www.sdparks.org for more information regarding the events listed below.

November 9, 2012 (Jamul) – The 2nd Annual Christmas in Jamul craft show is November 17, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Reno’s Pub & Grub, 14019 Campo Road, Jamul.  The craft show features Christmas themed crafts and more by local craftsmen.  Santa will be on hand for photo opportunities.

The craft show will take place on the patio.  Hot dogs and cheeseburgers will be available for purchase at $2  and $3 respectively.

November 9, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Wind gusts up to 65 mph  and heavy snowfall in San Diego’s mountains are forecast for tonight through Saturday, with snow falling to the 4,000 foot level tonight in areas including Cuyamaca, Mount Laguna and Ranchita. Up to a foot of snow may fall on higher elevations, with 3 to 6 inches above 4,500 feet.

In valley and desert areas, rainfall and gusty winds are forecast as well by the National Weather Service in San Diego.

November 9, 2012 (El Cajon)--On November 12,  the City of El Cajon will celebrate 100 years as a city.

Free festivities at this community celebration will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in downtown El Cajon on Rea Ave. and East Main St. between Magnolia and Claydelle Avenues. The area will be closed to traffic.

November 9, 2012 (Santee) –Ushering in the holiday season, Santee Trolley Square will be transformed into a cheerful village where carolers dressed in period costumes sing traditional holiday songs, kids can skate on synthetic ice, or pose for photos with Santa Claus while the whole family enjoys live music, food and horse-drawn carriage rides.

It’s all part of the city of Santee’s annual tree-lighting ceremony, a free family event to usher in the holiday season on Friday, November 16 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

November 9, 2012 (San Diego) -- Fans of modern design are invited to explore some of the most notable modern residences in San Diego this fall when the Dwell Home Tours (www.dwellhometours.com) come to America’s Finest City for the first time.

The San Diego Tours take place on November 10 and 11 showcasing ten amazing modern homes through the East County, North County and Central San Diego areas ranging from stunning new constructions to brilliant renovations.

November 8, 2012  --  (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/REGIONAL

• Mayor-elect Filner: Everyone should be heard (UT San Diego)
• Election’s over. Now what’s ahead for Santee? (Santee Patch)
• Stieringers upset incumbents on school board, hospital board (La Mesa Patch)
• Voters reject pot initiatives in Lemon Grove and IB (UT San Diego)
• Runaway victor: Hunter claims 50th Congressional district race (Ramona Patch)
• Earthquakes, Faults and Misguided Development in San Diego (Voice of San Diego)

STATE

• Public schools a big winner in election-statewide (UT San Diego)
• Blue Shield of California Refunds $50 Million To Consumers (KPBS)
• Election dominos could impact timing of supermajority in CA (SacBee)

By Janis Mork

Miriam Raftery also contributed to this report

November 7, 2012 (San Diego)- After Juan Vargas beat Republican Michael Crimmins 69.9% to 30.1%, Vargas’ supporters shouted, “Sí se puede!” (Yes we can!) and, “Juan! Juan! Juan!” After his impressive win, Vargas told ECM, “I’m very excited and very happy about the results I’m seeing so far, and very excited to be working with social justice.”

An American success story, Vargas who graduated from Harvard Law School is the son of farmworkers , where he was a classmate of President Barack Obama, before serving on San Diego's City Council and in the California Legislature. Vargas will replace Congressman Bob Filner, who has been elected Mayor of San Diego.

The 51st Congressional district spans the southern portions of San Diego County and extends into Imperial County.  Below are Vargas' goals in Congress and details his legislative record.

By Miriam Raftery

November 7, 2012 (Sacramento )- For California Democrats, the biggest plum of yesterday’s election is the sweeping victory of state legislative candidates that has given the Democratic Party a two-thirds "supermajority" in both the Assembly and State Senate.  

A two-thirds majority means that Democrats can now pass tax increases without a single Republican vote. It also means that the Legislature has the power to override a veto by Governor Brown.

Governor Brown today called for "the prudence of Joseph,” a Biblical reference to planning for years of both prosperity and famine. "We have to make sure over the next few years that we pay our bills, we invest in the right programs, but we don't go on any spending binges," the Governor said in a press conference at the state capitol.

Update November 8, 2012,  5 p.m.:  McClellan's lead has grown to over 600 votes, making it appear likely that he has secured reelection.

November 8, 2012 (El Cajon) – Councilmen Tony Ambrose and Bill Wells  appear to have won reelection to the El Cajon City Council, while Councilman Bob McClellan retains a slim 114-vote lead over challenger Ben Kalasho. The Registrar of Voters still has 475,000 absentee and provisional ballots left countywide to count.  Asked how many are in El Cajon, the Registrar’s office declined to provide that information but said updates will be posted daily at http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/results/election.xml. The election must be certified by December 4, meaning close races could take weeks before a final outcome will be know.

By Bill Weaver

November 8, 2012 (San Diego) –Tuition at 23 California State University campuses—including San Diego State University and Cal State San Marcos locally, will rescind a $249-per-semestser tuition fee hike that had taken effect in the fall term. Fees will now revert back to $5,472, the same rate as last year.

“We are hopeful that the passage of Proposition 30 will be the beginning of the state’s reinvestment in higher education,” CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed said in a statement issued yesterday.