June 22, 2015 (San Diego)--The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) Board of Directors voted unanimously Thursday to ban the use of electronic cigarettes in places where it is already illegal to smoke tobacco products.

By Robert Clark  

 The El Cajon City Council meeting of June 9 was notable for what  happened--and for what did not happen.

As reported in "East County Magazine" on  June 12  ("Smoking Hot Debate"), the Council voted 3-1 to support Senate Bill 151, which would increase the legal age to buy tobacco in California from 18 to 21.

 What did not happen was a "budget workshop." The City Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. For the last four years (2011 through 2014), I have attended the workshops on the first meeting in June, at which time information would be provided to the public regarding the estimated financial results for the current fiscal year, and numbers were available for the proposed budget for the fiscal year commencing the following July 1. The Council would then vote to adopt the budget at the second June meeting.

By Jaime Mirman

June 18, 2015 (La Mesa)--Our own San Diego Concert Band offered a concert on June 14 at Harry Griffen Park in La Mesa. The stage was surrounded by at least 250 enthusiastic listeners.

Update June 20, 2015:  This fire has scorched over 16,500 acres and is 15% contained.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: 29 Palms Fire Department

June 18, 2015 (San Bernadino) – If you're seeing smoke from northeast San Diego County, you're likely viewing the Lake Fire. Over 1,200 firefighters are battling the Lake Fire along the northern boundary of the San Gorgonio Wilderness in San Bernadino National Forest. The firestorm has drawn numerous resources including 88 fire engines, 2 air tankers, 10 helicopters and 28 fire crews—meaning mutual support could be spread thin should fires break out in other regions.

The blaze is only 5 percent contained as of this evening and has forced numerous evacuations as well as relocation of Big Bear High School’s graduation ceremony.

By Sarka-Jonae Miller

June 18, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Author/actress/artist Vanessa A. Ryan joins us today as a guest columnist. Vanessa is the author of the cozy mystery A Palette for Murder (“Good fun” – Kirkus Reviews) as well as the Horror at the Lake series of vampire tales reminiscent of works like Dracula. Join Vanessa on Facebook and Twitter @Vanessa_A_Ryan if you have any more questions for her about her work, or if you just want to ask her what it was like being part of the cast of the original Magic Mike.

June 18, 2015 (Lakeside) -- Mike Shane took first place in Helix Water District's photo competition, with this beauty shot of Lake Jennings, capturing the serenity of the water's surface reflecting a starbust sun and clouds above.

Update June 19, 2015 5 p.m. -- The fire is 170 acres and is now 68% contained, Cal Fire advises.

Update June 18, 2015 12 p.m. -- A firefighter has been injured, NBC news reports, as firefighters continue holding the blaze in rugged terrain. 

Update June 18, 2015  8 a.m. -- Cal-Fire now estimates the fire is at 178 acres and 38% contained.  Firefighters worked through the night with headlamps in steep terrain.  Wildcat Canyon Road is open in both directions and homes are no longer threatened at this time.

Update 9 p.m. -- The fire has burned 150 acres and is 10% contained.  Temperature is 75 degrees and humidity is 54%; the rate of spread is now slow.  Hundreds of firefighters are battling the blaze including Cal-Fire, the U.S. Forest Service, Heartland and Barona. Wildcat Canyon Rd. remains closed from Founder's Way to San Vicente Road, Cal-Fire advises.  The County Office of Emergency Services and the American Red Cross are also now involved.

Update 6:45 p.m. - Cal Fire spokesman Kendal Bortisser has advised  that the fire has potential for 500 acres, though Cal Fire hopes to contain it at 50 acres.  Fire is 10% contained, incident commander estimates. Residents report heavy smoke and poor air quality. The Sheriff has evacuated 7 homes but no others are currently threatened. Those evacuated are sheltering at the Barona Casino. View live-streaming video on Fox 5 at http://fox5sandiego.com/on-air/live-streaming/.

Update 6:02 p.m. The road closure has been moved to south of the Barona Casino to give people access to the casino, CHP reports.  U.S. Forest Service Crews, Cal Fire and Barona firefighters are battling the blaze

Photo  by Shannon Cervantes: fire with Barona Casino in foreground

June 17, 2015 (Lakeside) - A brush fire is burning in Lakeside early this evening on the Barona reservation near Wildcat Canyon Road. The fire, reported about 4:50 p.m. near Acuunya Way., is northeast of the casino and moving northeast toward a glider port. Cal Fire estimateed the blaze at 20 acres but a retired fire official in the area has estimated that the fire has swelled to 40 or 50 acres.

Structures are immediately threatened and the blaze is spreading rapidly, according to Cal-Fire. Wildcat Canyon Road is closed due to the fire from San Vicente Road to just south of the casino. Fixed wing aircraft and helicopters are battling the fire, ECM news partner 10 News reports.

Multiple news outlets report the Sheriff has evacuated several residences in the Acuuunya Way area.

East County News Service

June 16, 2015 (Julian)—A 24-year-old hiker has died after suffering apparent heat-related physical distress on the Cedar Creek trail near Julian on June 16^th in the early evening.  His friends called 911 and paramedics were notified, along with Sheriff’s deputies.

June 17, 2015 (Julian)--Experience the history of the Old West with costumed hosts who interpret what life was like in a California mining camp in the 1880s at the Julian Gold Rush Days on June 27^th and 28^th.  

There are activities throughout the  historic gold-mining town, from gold panning to gunfighting, a chance to meet historical reenactors and much more. This year's host is the Julian Mining Company.

The 17^th annual Blues Bash will be held at Menghini Winery in Julian on Saturday, June 20 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.  The music fest will include Jonathon Boogie Long and the Blues Revolution from Louisiana, crowned “King of the Blues” by Guitar Center. The event also features wine-tasting and dancing. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes some amazing events to delight dad this Father’s Day weekend, from an air show to a vintage train ride and a brunch with Cowboy Jack. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including 4^th of July Festivities, a country music concert in Santee, and the annual Descanso Days fair and parade.  So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!

Now for a preview of coming attractions…

June 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen about important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a wide variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

NATIONAL

• Second hack exposed military and intel data (AP)
• Virginia 17-year-old pleads guilty to helping to Islamic State (Reuters)
• U.S. multiracial population is growing, nears 7 percent: survey (Reuters)
• Uzbek citizen charged in New York over Islamic State plot (Reuters)
• Sewage spotted in Tex., Okla. floodwaters: What do crews focus on next? (CS Monitor)

INTERNATIONAL

• Amnesty blasts global refugee response. What more can be done? (CS Monitor)
• Mexico's deportations of Central Americans rise sharply
• Israel says Gaza militants fire rocket at south, no injuries (AP)
• Palestinian president announces government will dissolve (AP)
• Pride paints White City rainbow and illuminates its transgender community (JPost)
• Al Qaeda's Nusra Front kills 20 Syrian Druze villagers (CS Monitor)
• To Counter Russia, U.S. Mulling Tanks, Heavy Guns For Eastern Europe (NPR)
• Putin says Russia beefing up nuclear arsenal, NATO denounces 'saber-rattling' (Reuters)

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

Posted By Spencer Moleda, TMV Movie Critic

The Moderate Voice (reprinted with permission)

June 16, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - “You can’t repeat the past”, Nick said to Jay. “Can’t repeat the past? Why of course you can!” And we all know how it ended for Jay Gatsby, so after three films, why should it end differently for megalomaniacs and a few incautious geneticists? If there is any thematic through-line throughout the Jurassic Park films, it is that if you attempt to make a business out of nature, it will make a business out of you, and with that business comes an uncompromising bulldozer of carnage that only nature at its least sympathetic can create. The message of Jurassic World arguably boils down to the same idea, only there’s a slight nuance this time around — our failure comes not from our inability to comprehend nature but from our selective desire to do so.

East County News Service

June 18, 2015 (Santee)—The City of Santee opens its 32^nd annual summer concert season this Thursday, June 18^th with the classic rock band, the Cat*illacs. It’s the first of 10 concerts in the Town Center Community Park East.  The concerts will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Thursday night from now through August 27^th, (except for the July 4^th holiday weekend).

By Miriam Raftery

June 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County ) – Looking for some exotic ideas to delight dear old Dad this Father’s Day (Sunday, June 21^st)?