Next up: Star Wars Day Dec. 12

Photo, left: “Snow Queen” from Parties Unique company greets a miniature, costumed Elsa from “Frozen” during Winterfest at the San Diego County Library Rancho San Diego Branch on Dec. 5, 2015

Story and photos by Megan Just

December 8, 2015 (Rancho San Diego) − Though it’s been two years since the release of Disney’s “Frozen,” Elsa and Anna still have the power to draw a crowd.  In this case, the princesses, played by performers from the Parties Unique company, were the headliners of Winterfest at the San Diego County Library, Rancho San Diego Branch, on Saturday afternoon.

The festival, which included cookie decorating, holiday crafts, an ugly sweater contest, an instant-print photo booth, and two princess-led sing-along performances, drew a crowd of more than 200 children and accompanying adults.

Deadline for  written comments is Dec. 9; oral comments will be heard Dec. 11 at County Planning Commission

By Kiki Skagen Munshi

By Miriam Raftery

December 8, 2015 (San Diego)—A lowly lizard—and a poisonous one at that—could hold the secret to treating diabetes.

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute say that they have altered molecules from a protein found in venom of Gila Monster lizards, then using a process called autocrine selection, activate cellular receptors in positive ways.

December 8, 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:

U.S.

• U.S. deploying new force to Iraq to boost fight against Islamic State (Reuters)
•  Facebook CEO, now a father, will give away most of his money (Associated Press)
• Military opens all combat roles to women (Reuters)
• In Iraq, growing belief that U.S., ISIS are . . . allies (JWR)
• American WWII vet becomes first  soldier honored for saving Jews (CBS)
• The terrorists among us  (Slate)
• 'Unprecedented': What ISIS Looks Like In America (NPR)
• Trump: ‘Take out ‘ terrorists families (USA Today)
• Zucker says CNN will not pay Donald Trump to appear at next debate (CNN)
• Bernie Sanders wins reader’s poll for Time person of the year (Time Magazine)
• A world away from Europe, US has its own migrant crisis (CS Monitor)

WORLD

General world news

• 96 cities that are quitting fossil fuels and moving to 100% renewable energy (EcoWatch)
• The Marshall Islands are disappearing (New York Times)
• Declaring 'new beginning,' EU and Turkey seal migrant deal (Reuters)
• Wreck Of Legendary Spanish Galleon Is Finally Found, Colombia Says (NPR)
• In the Amazon, the world’s most endangered tribe has few options (Washington Post)
• Mysterious 'ghost' ships drift into Japanese waters (CS Monitor)
• French far-right makes major breakthrough to top regional elections(Reuters)
• Iraq blames Iran after thousands of pilgrims storm border crossing(Reuters)

 Terror news:

• France shuts down three mosques in state of emergency crackdown (USA Today)
• Three injured in knife attack 'terror incident' in London metro (Reuters)
• Boko Haram crisis: Cameroon troops  frees 900 hostages (BBC)
• Syria, Yemen, Libya – one factor unites these failed states, and it isn’t religion (Reuters)
• At NATO, Turkey defiant over downing of Russian jet (Reuters)
• Hacker sent out thousands of 'death to the Jews' messages to phones in Middle East (JPost)
• Russian air force hit 1,458 targets in Syria over week: agencies(Reuters)
• In Worst Attacks, Terrorists Often Have Fraternal Bonds (NPR)
• U.N. condemns air strike that cut water supplies to Syria's Aleppo (Reuters)
• Germany Votes To Provide Military Support In Fight Against ISIS  (NPR)
• Egypt to pay Israel $1.76 billion after halting gas supplies (AP)
• Italy rules out joining Syria air strikes, says another strategy needed (Reuters)
• Saudi-led forces fight Houthi border advance, killing 20: residents (Reuters)
• Police: Palestinian stabbing attack thwarted at Cave of the Patriarchs (JPost)

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

December 8, 2015 (San Diego's East County)-- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Specialty Drugs Can Prove Expensive Even With Medicare Coverage (NPR)
• False Alarm Mammograms May Still Signal Higher Breast Cancer Risk (NPR)
• Court rejects Sequenom bid to restore prenatal DNA test patent (Reuters)
• Too Much TV And Chill Could Reduce Brain Power Over Time (NPR)
• Guidelines Give A Boost To Diabetes Screening For Overweight Adults (NPR)
• Dating apps prove factor in HIV rise (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• EPA tries to thread the biofuel needle (Marketplace)
• In massive stranding, 337 whales beached on Chilean coast (AP)
• Comcast data caps make life for deaf difficult (Marketplace)
• 5 Things To Know: Net Neutrality Is Back In Court  (NPR)
• Migratory birds are losing ground. Study cites key areas needing protections. (CS Monitor)

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

December 6, 2015 (Washington D.C.)--In a speech today at the Oval Office, President Barack Obama denounced the San Bernardino massacre that killed 14 people and wounded 21 more as an "act of terrorism."  He denounced the “dark path of radicalization” that the husband and wife shooters to embrace a “perverted” form of Islam that calls for war on America and the west.”

 The President pledged to “destroy ISIL” and protect the homeland.  He also called on Congress to take several actions.

"If Congress believes, as I do, that we are at war with ISIL, it should go ahead and vote to authorize the continued use of military force against these terrorists," Obama said. "I think it's time for Congress to vote to demonstrate that the American people are united and committed to this fight.”

For complete Calendar including Authors Events,

go to

http://SDWriteWay.org

This column is also published in the

http://EastCountyMagazine.org

Readers

December 6, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - December 6 (Sunday, 12:00 pm) — Warwick's is hosting Elias Weiss Friedman to sign his book The Dogist. Elias Weiss Friedman is a photographer whose singular portraits of dogs have drawn more than 1.1 million followers on Instagram, where he is known as @TheDogist.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECPAC lobby

December 6, 2015 (El Cajon ) – El Cajon’s Council has a number of important topics on its agenda for the Council meeting Tuesday at 3 p.m.

Several are on the consent calendar – including a proposal to reject the only bid received for construction renovations on the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC).  Although 30 prospective bidders obtained bid packages, only one bid was received.  That bid, from Kinsman Construction Inc. in San Diego, was for over $3.7 million – far above the $2.7 to $2.9 million that an engineer estimated the work should cost.

East County News Service

December 4, 2015 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces completion of the new “Children’s Holiday Project.” The following will be presented to Maxine Lynch for La Mesa boys and girls on Thursday, December 10: 35 pairs of shoes, 54 shirts, 200 pairs of underwear, 170 pairs of socks and 20 fleece jackets. In addition, over 46 stuffed animals have been donated for local children by the Town and Country Resort Hotel.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Syed Rizwan Farook

December 4, 2015 (San Bernardino)—Evidence emerging in the mass shooting at a San Bernardino social services center yesterday  points to terrorism as the apparent motive. 

Syed Rizwan Farook, an American Muslim born in Chicago, and his Pakistani bride, Tashfeen Malik, dropped their baby off with a grandparent before donning assault gear and opening fire using assault weapons at an office holiday party. The barrage left 14 people dead and 21 injured.  Both suspects were later killed in a firefight with law enforcement after fleeing the scene in an SUV.  Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS, the Islamic State, on Facebook the very day of the attack, the New York Times reports, citing an unnamed official.  It is not yet known if the attack was directed by ISIS or if the terrorists acted independently, inspired by ISIS.

Officials suspect Farook became radicalized by Islamic extremists. He had had been in touch with at least one individual monitored as a possible terror suspect, a senior federal government official reportedly told the Los Angeles Times, adding that there could be a “deeper terror matrix” behind yesterday’s massacre. Authorities have not ruled out a workplace violence motivation potentially in combination with terrorism.

East County News Service

December 3, 2015 (Lakeside) – A 22-year-old Ramona man was airlifted to Sharp Memorial  Hospital with major life threatening injuries after a two-vehicle collision today at 2:40 p.m.

The Ramona man turned onto northbound State Route 67 from Posthill Road but failed to see a 3-axle dump truck towing a trailer approaching from the left.  The Suzuki pulled out in front of the truck driver, who had little or no time to react, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Kevin Pearlstein.

East County News Service

December 3, 2014 (El Cajon)--California Sen. Joel Anderson (R-Alpine) will host his annual Legislative Open House from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 10, at Toyota of El Cajon, 965 Arnele Ave., El Cajon.

The free event is an opportunity for Anderson and his staff to meet with constituents and hear ideas on new legislation for 2016. All attendees will receive a 2015 legislative update and an opportunity to submit ideas to improve state government. Anderson says several of the bills he has introduced in the past originated from suggestions by attendees to this annual event.

December 3, 2015 (San Diego County) - This holiday shopping season, the Sheriff’s Department is offering tips to avoid becoming a crime victim over the holiday.  Be on the alert and remain cautious—since criminals don’t take the holidays off.  The department will also be on alert, holding Holiday Watch operations throughout the county to keep shoppers safe. These patrols include probation checks, motorcycle and bike patrols at shopping centers, and drunk driving patrols.