By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

East County News Service

August 6, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society and Alpine Woman’s Club invite you to a potluck luncheon on Sunday, August 19 at 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The lunch and general meeting starts at 1 p.m. with program at 2 p.m. featuring anthropologist/author Michael Wilken-Robertson, who will speak on the interdependence between native peoples and native plants in Southern California and Baja.

See attached flyer for information on reservations and details.

The Trump administration is taking action, but in precisely the wrong direction.

By Mel Gurtov, published by Common Dreams

The sky above Soda Bay, Calif. is seen on July 30, 2018 as the River Fire burns. (Photo:  Bob Schoenherr/flickr/cc)

August 5, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- By now we’re accustomed to learning that every year brings record high temperatures around the world. Extreme weather, says Prof. Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University, “is the face of climate change. We literally would not have seen these extremes in the absence of climate change. The impacts of climate change are no longer subtle. We are seeing them play out in real time and what is happening this summer is a perfect example of that. We are seeing our predictions come true. As a scientist that is reassuring, but as a citizen of planet Earth, it is very distressing to see that as it means we have not taken the necessary action.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – Deb Carney Carlson is an administrator for the Brush Fire Partyline, donating her time to post fire alerts to keep others safe. Now her daughter, Tara, is fighting for her life – and needs help from the public.

East County News Service

August 5, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Ammar Campa-Najjar has picked up a high-level endorsement for his bid to unseat Congressman Duncan D. Hunter in the hotly contested 50^th Congressional district race. Former President Barack Obama this week announced his endorsement of 81 candidates, including Campa-Najjar, boosting the local contender into the national spotlight.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- When I was younger I hated all the back-to-school commercials. They were a dreaded reminder that summer was over and pretty soon, I'd be back inside a hot, stuffy classroom, mourning my lost freedom.

East County News Service

August 4, 2018 (San Diego) -- Head outside after hours for a series of fun programs the whole family will enjoy in San Diego county parks. On top of  Summer Movies in the Park series, here's a list of star parties, night hikes and evening entertainment taking in parks this month. Inclement weather may cancel; contact the parks by clicking on the links below:

East County News Service

August 4, 2018 (San Diego) -- The Settlement Agreement for issues and costs related to the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is final after San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE) and other parties notified the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that they accept the CPUC’s request to remove a provision that would have funded university-conducted greenhouse gas research. 

By Miriam Raftery 

August 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - Excessively hot weather is likely for next week with the hottest conditions Monday and Tuesday. The climate outlook includes the likelihood for above normal temperatures continuing through the middle of August. Elevated fire weather risk will also continue to be a concern, the National Weather Service reports.

By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 3, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Coyotes always seem to be getting a bad rap. They’re usually villains in the movies and cartoons, and when they pop up in the news, it’s never good.

But recent coyote sightings are often due to things that we, as residents of the surrounding communities, are doing to attract them into our neighborhoods – like leaving dog food and cat food outside.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a kayak tour at Lake Morena, a jazz concert at Mission Trails, Hall in Oates and Train in concert at SDSU, the Julian Natural Wonderfest, the HeART of Mt. Helix, and the Price is Right game show at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including our own East County Fest at Mission Trails, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of East County Magazine, as well as the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa,

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

August 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• U.S. says farmers could get cash aid by October but will not be made whole (Reuters)
• Trump escalates attacks on Mueller probe (The Hill)
• Why Trump is so freaked out by the Manafort Trial (Washington Post)
• Court Decision Striking Down Albuquerque Asset Forfeiture Program Could Help Protect Property Rights Around the Country (Reason)
• U.S. judge denies gun control groups' attempt to block 3-D gun blueprints (Reuters)
• Lawsuit alleges migrant fathers were separated from children again after being reunited (The Hill)
• Rising numbers of Central Americans look for a foothold in Tijuana (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Venting about press, Trump has repeatedly sought to ban reporters over questions (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Passengers ‘grateful to God’ after plane crashes in Mexico with no deaths (Reuters)
• Most passengers in non-fatal Mexican plane crash were U.S. citizens (Reuters)
• PETA condemns use of 'terror falcon' by Hamas (JPost)
• Ontario Ends UBI Experiment Two Years Early  (Reason)
• Daring Thieves Steal Royal Jewels, Escape on Motorboat (NPR)
• Protesters chant anti-Putin slogans at Moscow rally against retirement age plan (Reuters)

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

A La Mesa writer finds a way to help families released from ICE detention

By Mimi Pollack

Photo:  Honduran man and his two sons

August 1, 2018 (San Diego) -- Helping others is not political. It is good for the soul. When you help others, you forget about your own problems for awhile. In addition, nobody should make you feel bad about who you decide to help. In my case, as a writer, I have interviewed many good folks assisting others -- be they two legged or four legged recipients – and ended up also giving to many charitable human and animal organizations.

East County News Service

August 1, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Interfaith Council of La Mesa is sponsoring its fifth annual peace and justice event as part of the International Day of Peace on Sunday, September 16^th from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center, 4975 Memorial Drive in La Mesa.

By Miriam Raftery

August 1, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The filing deadline to run for local offices is August 10^th.   We checked with El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Santee to find out which seats are on the ballot, and who has taken out papers declaring an intent to run for city council or mayor so far.  Below is the list of prospective candidates to date, though more candidates may file, and prospective candidates are not confirmed until they turn in signatures and meet verification requirements to qualify for the November ballot. 

If you are interested in running, you have until August 10 to pull papers and turn in the required signatures from registered voters in support of your candidacy. Since some city offices are closed on Friday the 10th, be sure to check with your local jurisdiction.

City Council and Mayoral races are officially nonpartisan; however, some officials tout their endorsements or affiliations with political parties. For those candidates, we have listed their affiliations.