By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – When a multi-ton blade fell off a wind turbine at Pattern Energy’s Ocotillo Wind Energy Facility, the company claimed such accidents are rare.  Now another Pattern Energy wind project has hurled off dangerous debris.  This time, a turbine in Canada hurled off an 18-inch chunk of serrated blade, which flew 400 feet before landing in a field, the Chatham Voice reported.

East County News Service

November 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Grab the galoshes and fill up your sandbags—a deluge is set to soak our region early next week. Moderate to heavy rains are forecast—along with possible flash flooding and snow.

National Weather Service forecaster Alex Tardy predicts up to five inches of precipitation in some mountain locations, with heavy snowfall possible above 6,000 feet.

East County News Service

November 25, 2014 (San Diego)--In recent years, ‘Black Friday’ shopping deals have increasingly spread into the Thanksgiving holiday, forcing workers to miss out on celebrating the holiday and spending time with their families in order to keep their jobs. In some cases, this work has become mandatory, forcing workers to give up their Thanksgiving holiday or risk losing their jobs. Many of these business practices have also been carried over to Christmas as well. The increasing commercialization of the holiday season has created significant public backlash, including petitions, media criticism, and worker protests.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes some wild Thanksgiving happenings—form a swinging holiday party at Sycuan to a Thanksgiving feast for the beasts at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine. Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions, including several  holiday home tours, community holiday festivals, Santa at Santee Lakes, and a Feliz Navidad celebration with mariachis and more at Jacumba Hot Springs!

So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more, from East County Magazine.

November 26, 2014 (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

• Freeways blocked, bottles thrown at police (UT San Diego)
• Arapostathis’ vision for  La Mesa (East County Californian)
• East County brewers showcased during San Diego beer week (East County Californian)
• The San Diego Housing Commission’s bold move on homelessness (CityBeat)
• Deputy airlifted from backcountry ATV crash (UT San Diego)
• Rescue crews search for lost hiker (UT San Diego)

STATE

• Cal State funding talks include scenario of turning away freshmen (Los Angeles Times)
• Rallies across UC system protest tuition hikes (Los Angeles Times)New California Law May Prolong Vote Counts (KPBS)
• Solar farm proposal in Mojave desert rejected (UT San Diego)

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

By Miriam Raftery

A proposed industrial solar farm in Lakeside’s scenic El Monte Valley is stirring up controversy.  Property owner David Pressman/OCI Solar Lakeside has proposed to build a 40-acre solar photovoltaic project with approximately 8,500 solar panels on El Monte Road.  OCI is a Korean company with holdings in the U.S.

A hearing on the plan is set for December 3^rd at 6:30 p.m. before the Lakeside Community Planning Group at the Lakeside Community Center.

“Everyone I have talked to too is against it for many reasons.” says photographer Billy Ortiz. “My reason is El Monte Valley is and should always be a scenic corridor, period.” He posted photos of the proposed site and drew some strong responses.

East County News Service

November 24, 2014 (El Cajon ) – Homicide detectives are investigating the death of Linda Sue Irwin, 53. 

Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from Sharp Grossmont Hospital at 7:37 p.m. on November 19 to investigate an alleged assault on Ms. Irwin believed to have occurred in the El Cajon area between November 17^th and 19^th. Shortly after deputies arrived, the victim was transported to Sharp Memorial Hospital, where she died this morning.

By KB Schaller

November 25, 2014 (Plantation, Florida) - It is my pleasure to share this update on the presentation of my latest title, 100+ Native American Women Who Changed the World, which was given a stellar review by Dennis Moore for East County Magazine. The event took place on Saturday, November 15 at the Helen Hoffman Library in Plantation, Florida and was co-sponsored by the Plantation Historical Society.

Photo courtesy Times of San Diego

Update November 26, 2014:  Two protests were held last night in San Diego. A downtown rally was peaceful, but protesters in City Heights engaged in civil disobedience blocking a bridge; some bottles were hurled at police officers, UT San Diego report.  In Washington, President Obama called for calm after the jury verdict, but voiced concerns over the racial divide and mistrust of police, adding that despite strides made in civil rights, America still has a long way to go.

By Miriam Raftery

November 25, 2014 (San Diego)—A Grand Jury in Ferguson, Missouri announced Monday night that there will be no indictments against police officer Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed African American teenager.  Jurors heard conflicting testimony from witnesses including some who said Wilson shot Brown when his hands were up as if to surrender, but others described Brown as confrontational and one witness claimed Brown charged at Officer Wilson, head down.

The verdict has prompted protests in cities across the nation.  California Campaign to End Police Terror has announced demonstrations statewide including a protest planned Monday night, November 25^th at 6 p.m. at the City Heights library, located at 3795 Fairmount Avenue in San Diego.

November 24, 2014 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Community Presbyterian Church will host a series of free concerts open to the community.  The church is located at 9908 Channel Road in Lakeside; doors open 30 minutes before the concerts begin. Below is a schedule of concert events:

November 24, 2014 (El Cajon) – The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce will hold its next First Friday Breakfast  at the Ronald Reagan Community Center in El Cajon on December 5 at 7:15 a.m. Hosted and Sponsored by Viejas Casino & Resort, this special Holiday First Friday includes collecting toys for the East County Toy Drive established by Stoney’s Kids and the Salvation Army.  Bring an unwrapped toy like a soccer ball, curling iron, a bicycle, or a gift card for teens or tots and for each gift valued over $10, Viejas will give you a drawing ticket to win great prizes including an overnight stay package at the Viejas Hotel.  Go Here to reserve your seat for breakfast.

East County News Service

November 25, 2014 (San Diego) - On Monday, City Councilmember Marti Emerald and Rabbi Laurie Coskey cooked and delivered a Thanksgiving meal to fast-food worker Nicolas Cervantes and his family.

By Leon Thompson

(Photo: Jeff Berkeley, left, performs with former Padres player Tim Flannery, right)

November 23, 2014  (Poway)--A sold-out crowd of tie-dye wearing, long-haired hippies with flowers in their hair descended on the Poway Center for the Performing Arts Saturday night to revisit Woodstock, the celebrated concert that changed the music world.  The music and an enthusiastic crowd rekindled the spirit of the original Woodstock, which I attended back in 1969.

Local musicians including Jeff Berkeley,  Eve Selis and former Padres’ Tim Flannery joined The Back to the Garden Band to re-create the iconic three-day outdoor concert that rocked the world in '69 with such greats as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, the Who, Sly Stone, Joe Cocker, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Jefferson Airplane, Credence Clearwater Revival, Santana and Richie Havens, to name a few.