E - The Environmental Magazine

Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss

September 24, 2012 -- Dear EarthTalk: What is the scientific consensus on all the extreme weather we’ve been having—from monster tornadoes to massive floods and wildfires? Is there a clear connection to climate change? And if so what are we doing to be prepared?                                -- Jason Devine, Summit, PA

September 24, 2012 (El Cajon) – The Automobile Club of Southern California has opened a branch at 2987 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, in the Rancho San Diego Towne Center (Target shopping center).

The new 6,480-square-foot branch is adjacent to TGI Fridays restaurant near the corner of Jamacha Road and Campo Road. The branch phone number is (619) 660-6657.

By Brian Lafferty

September 24, 2012 (San Diego) – On one of my many college days spent in the South Wing of Cal State, Fullerton's Pollak library, I came across Timothy Leary's book The Politics of Ecstasy.  It was a fascinating read unlike any nonfiction I previously encountered before then.  It was a collection of the disgraced Harvard professor’s essays and lectures on the psychedelic drug LSD.  In the chunk that I read, he defends the drug, and cites research and studies that he claims demonstrate its benefits on its people’s minds, lifestyle, and ways of thinking.  He argues that as long as you know what you’re doing, or better yet, if you have a “guided trip” with someone experienced in LSD use, it’s not only safe, but beneficial.

September 24, 2012 (San Diego)—Many survivors of adolescent and young adult cancers avoid routine medical care because it’s too expensive, despite the fact that most have health insurance, an article published today in CANCER, a peer-reviewed publication of the American Cancer Society, reveals. That is the conclusion of a new study published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The results indicate that expanding insurance coverage for young cancer survivors may be insufficient to safeguard their long-term health without efforts to reduce their medical cost burdens.

September 24, 2012 (La Mesa) – Space Bar Internet Café hosts an Open Mic night on the fourth Thursday each month from 7:30-10 p.m. at 7454 University Avenue, La Mesa.

This week, poet Kate Harding, a three-time Pushcart Prize nominee, will join host Jim Moreno.  Her first collection of poetry, "Santa Monica Disposal and Salvage," has earned praise from Steve Kowit, Marge Piercy and Diane Wakoski. Writing under the pen name Penny Perry and as Kate Harding, her poems have appeared in numerous magazines, including Poetry International, Earth's Daughters, Spillway, and the San Diego Poetry Annual. Kate is the fiction editor for the new on-line Knot Journal. She was a fellow at the American Film Institute and her movie, "A Berkeley Christmas" aired on PBS. 

September 24, 2012 (Sacramento)--Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday, September 21 signed into law three bills by Assemblymember Marty Block (AD-78) aimed at assisting military families and returning veterans.

“I’m thrilled that the governor approved my bills – AB 1904, AB 2202 and AB 2462. They will help California repay the tremendous debt we owe our veterans,” Block said.

September 24, 2012 (Valley Center) – Collin Barnes, a 21-year-old college student and church preschool teacher who lived with his parents in Valley Center, told his parents he was going for a run up Flat Top Mountain near their home to photograph the sunset on September 13.  When he failed to return, his family called the Sheriff’s Department.

By Nadin Abbott

September 24, 2012 (San Diego)—La Mesa resident Norrie Robbins,  PhD helped organize a San Diego rally yesterday in support of Proposition 37, a ballot measure that if passed will require labeling of genetically modified foods.

Block’s AB1731 requires lifesaving testing of newborns for heart disease

September 17, 2012 (San Diego)--Little Caleb Peltier celebrated his second birthday today at the Balboa Park playground with his parents, his brother and some new friends who all celebrated the fulfillment of the one birthday wish they all had for the toddler who has experienced more familiarity with hospitals, surgeries, and emergency rooms than many adults.

By Miriam Raftery

September 24, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Cal Fire reports this morning that an estimated 20 homes have been destroyed and another 10 damaged, along with approximately 15 outbuildings.  The fire is now 2,000 acres and 10% contained.

Homes lost are all in the Tierra del Sol area, Mike Mohler of Cal Fire told ECM.  “We’re going to go out right now to compile a list of the addresses,” he said when asked for details on locations of residences that burned.

“Tierra del Sol and Jewel Valley remain evacuated and are still threatened,” Roxanne Provaznik of Cal Fire said in a release issued at 6:50 am.  Highway 94 is closed between the Shockey Truck Trail east to Jewel Valley.

Update 12:10 a.m. September 24 -- Due to the wildfires, all schools in the Mountain Empire Unified School District will be closed on Monday Sept. 24.

Update 11:45 p.m. – The Shockey Fire has swelled to 2,000 acres and is 10% contained, Cal-Fire Battalion Chief Mike Mohler advises.  Evacuation advisory for Jacumba; structure threat and evacuations continue for Boulevard and Tierra del Sol communities. Numerous structures are damaged or destroyed; Southwest power grid is also threatened. 

Please join us this evening to enjoy some cheer and help fund live reporting of wildfires and other hot news in East County! We now have THOUSANDS of dollars in great prizes!

Join us Wed. Sept. 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m. at El Cajon Brewing Co. for beer-tasting, great food, live music by Charlie Rae (she's opened for Sheryl Crow and other stars), tons of prizes, hot cars from Carrera Coachwerks and more during El Cajon's Classic Cruises' season finale.   

First 100 guests get a $10 voucher for FREE FOOD OR BEER!

September 23, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – Help tell East County’s story through  photos! 

The Far East Project, a print/multimedia anthology and performance project, is comprised of personal narratives, interviews and histories from East County communities and residents.  This living history project for our region is sponsored by San Diego Foundation Arts and Culture Foundation along with So Say We All.

You’re invited to submit photos that “capture the soul of East County” as you see it.  Deadline for entries is Sunday, October 7, 2012.

By Nadin Abbott

September 23, 2012 (Del Mar)-- Democrats gathered on the off ramp of Ted Williams Parkway at Carmel Country Road, waving protest signs as Republican candidate Mitt Romney’s motorcade passed by yesterday.

Among the crowd of about 50 people were veterans, senior citizens and workers, a cross-section of the “47 percent” slammed by Romney in remarks caught on video released last week. In the video, recorded secretly at a fundraiser with wealthy donors, Romney denigrated the 47 percent of Americans who receive some form of government assistance (including Social Security retirees, the military, disabled and poor Americans) as well as those who pay no taxes.

Update September 23, 2012 -- The Sheriff has identified the victim as Dillon A. Davis, 20, of 4S Ranch. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2012 (Jamul)—Firefighters summoned to extinguish a vehicle fully engulfed in flames in the 16200 block of Skyline Truck Trail in Jamul at 4 a.m. found the charred remains of a human body. 

"We are treating this as a homicide. The position of the body was suspicious," Captain Duncan Fraser with the Sheriff's homicide detail told ECM. "The body was not behind the wheel." He added that there was no evidence of a vehicle accident and that "it appears to be a deliberately set fire."

Officials want to hear from any witnesses or individuals who have information, he added.