By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2014 (Lakeside) – If you’re looking for a place to getaway from the hustle and bustle of city living without traveling far away, consider a stay at one of San Diego County’s local Native American resorts.  Recently, I won a vacation to Barona Resort & Casino in a prize drawing at the La Mesa Centennial party –so in early January, my husband and I savored a relaxing weekend at Barona.

Unlike Las Vegas casinos, Barona resort is not glitzy or gaudy.  The casino and hotel complex are designed to fit in with the rural ambience, complete with a casino designed to resemble a barn and a waterwheel.  The property includes several lakes, providing idyllic places for walking or relaxing in an Adirondack chair to watch the sunset over the nearby mountains.  The site is also designated as a migratory bird sanctuary by the Audobon Society.

By Nadin Abbott

January 14, 2014 (Julian) --The Julian Planning Group voted unanimously Monday night to recommend denial of the Calico Ranch Solar Project, which proposed to cover 8.5 acres in Wynola with 4.,660 massive solar panels, requiring the destruction of numerous mature oak trees. The reasons given by the Planning Group were summarized as follows:

By Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2014 (San Diego's East County)--Are babies and children at risk of suppressed immune systems from wildfire smoke?

A new study at the University of Califiornia, Davis, suggests this could be the case.

The study was conducted by the  University and by the California Air Resources Board. It looked at 25 young Rhesus Macaque monkeys born at the university’s Primate Research Center during summer of 2008, when smoke from over 2,000 fires that burned over a million acres drifted into the area. The monkeys born during the wildfires, and  who were living outdoors, were found to have suppressed immune systems.  Their blood samples were placed in tissue culture dishes, then exposed to disease pathogens—and showed reduced ability to  generate immune responses to diseases than blood from 25 other monkeys born a year later.

January 14, 2014 (El Cajon) –El Cajon City Manager Douglas Williford and Assistant City Manager/Director of Public Works Majed Al-Ghafry will be the guest speakers at the East County Democratic Club meeting on Thursday, January 16.  The event will be held at Coco’s Restaurant, 1025 Fletcher Parkway in El Cajon at 7 p.m., with social hour/dinner at 6 p.m.

By David Dickens

January 14, 2014 (Spring Valley)-- As  a sports enthusiast or just looking for great entertainment, look no further than the Lady Matadors of Mount Miguel High School(1-3-14) . This fully equipped group of ballers are led by the talented trio of Dejanay Pope, Deijah Blanks, and Zaria Branch.

January 14, 2014 (San Diego’s East County ) --ECM 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.

• Spending bill could end shutdown threat (Washington Post)
• Court strikes down net neutrality (The Hill)
• Death Dust (New Yorker)
• Clean energy should do without special tax breaks (Washington Post editorial)
• Automotive Black Box Mandatory by September 1, 2014 (Yahoo News)
• Christie fires aide in NJ bridge scandal; prosecutor launches probe (Reuters)
• Colorado to launch 'don't drive stoned' ads with U.S. funding
• Electronic Rights At The U.S. Border: What They Can Search (NPR)
• What would a Republican 'war on poverty' look like, circa 2016? (+video) (CS Monitor)
• NSA snooping didn't make America much safer, report says (CS Monitor)

WORLD

• Ariel Sharon: A Bulldozer in War and Peace (JPost)
• Afghanistan to free most inmates seen by U.S. as threat (Reuters)
• Iran’s fingerprints in Fallujah (UT San Diego)
• Exclusive: Iran to get first $550 million of blocked $4.2 billion on February 1 (Reuters)
• Thai protesters move to shut down Bangkok to force out PM (Reuters)
• 50 hurt in West Bank clashes over UN strike (Reuters)
• Pakistani Teen Dies Stopping Bomber From Striking School (NPR)
• While U.S. Shivers, Australia And Brazil Sizzle (NPR)

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

Photos by Van Collinsworth and Miriam Raftery

January 14, 2014 (San Diego) – State Route Highway 52 travels through Mission Gorge and Santee, offering motorists views of the San Diego River and Mission Trails Regional Park.  Now the City of San Diego is applying for Scenic Highway designation from the state for  the section of  State Route 52 from Santo Road to Mast Boulevard, through Mission Trails Regional Park.

The measure passed unanimously.  Van Collinsworth at Preserve Wild Santee urges the public to send letters of support for recognizing the scenic value of these resources. Letters should be received by February 28 and may be sent to:

Photo:  Elizabeth Maldonado Robinson, left, and Sister Justine Church,  right, from the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice

By Jordan Schaffner

January 12, 2014 (La Mesa) -- With the church choir wearing Charger blue and gold in the background, Elizabeth Maldonado Robinson, Program Coordinator of the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice and Sister Justine Church, Interfaith Committee treasurer, spoke about worker inequality  last Sunday, January 6 at the United Church of Christ of La Mesa. 

Maldonado Robinson said hotel workers earning minimum wage at the Hyatt in La Jolla are pressured to clean rooms within a certain time frame and often don’t receive breaks. When workers asked to speak to management collectively, they were refused. After objecting to this, a worker spoke to the manager in private. The worker was told she could have a break--but must take it in a closet filled with linens and toxic cleaning supplies. After many sanctions against workers, the manager finally agreed to let hotel workers organize--due to protests from the Interfaith Committee for Worker Justice of San Diego County.

January 12, 2014 (La Mesa) – Grossmont Union High School District will hold a dedication ceremony on Tuesday, January 14 at 2 p.m. for a new, $15.2 million Performing Arts Complex at Helix Charter High School.  The event will include tours of the facility, a ribbon cutting, student performances in the theater, and music by the Helix Highlander bagpipers.

By Sharon Penny

Duncan McFetridge is a poet, philosopher, wood carver, and a classical man who lives in a quiet cabin in the forest. McFetridge, who studied religion and Greek and Chinese philosophy, lives an ascetic life - he is someone who doesn't care about money the way most modern people do.  He says that justice and truth are supreme.

Yet this environmentalist, who loves nature, animals and simplicity, has struck fear in many of San Diego's most powerful movers and shakers. He successfully took on the building industry years ago to prevent development in his mountain community of Descanso, managing to have the Forest Conservation Initiative implemented by the County of San Diego. It is considered one of the most important environmental initiatives in the County; it has protected critical areas within the Cleveland National Forest.

SDG&E now offers critical weather page to look up conditions in your neighborhood

January 11, 2014 (San Diego's East County ) -- A red flag warning for a moderate to strong Santa Ana Wind event along with low humidity is expected Sunday evening through Wednesday afternoon for San Diego County. Wind gusts of up to 50 miles per hour are likely with some isolated gusts of 65 mph on some ridge tops and canyons.

“Though Cal Fire has year round staffing in Southern California, these conditions warrant adding additional resources on for the duration of the red flag conditions that bring an elevated threat of wildfire," said Chief Dale Hutchinson, Cal Fire's Southern Region Chief. Cal Fire has placed additional firefighters on duty to staff extra equipment to augment normal staffing levels in the areas affected.

Cal Fire is asking everyone to be extra cautious during the heightened fire danger period in order to prevent wildfires. One less spark means one less wildfire. Be aware of the following activity restrictions and tips:

By David Dickens

December 11, 2014 (Denver) -- This could very well be the matchup of two of the best teams in the American Football Conference. This will be the first time these two division rivals square up in the postseason.

By Grey Feathers

January 8, 2014 (San Diego's East County) -- Three years ago today, Gabriele Gifford was shot in the head.  She was rushed to the hospital where we thought she would surely die.  The same hospital where I would be treated after my heart attack a few month later in the hot summer of 2011. 

There was a Lunar Eclipse that summer that plunged Tucson into the deepest darkness conceivable and it seemed the chill of the legendary Shadow Wolf of Native American lore had been unleashed upon my world. 

This morning Gabby wrote in the New York Times that for the first time she can will her right arm to move and it obeys.  After years of persistent physical therapy she is making steady progress.  The news brought me to weeping for joy. 

By Mark Gavit

As dry winter conditions continue, Gov. Jerry Brown can be expecting the California Department of Water Resources to present him with an emergency drought declaration draft.

Director of the DWR, Mark Cowin, told the California Board of Food and Agriculture that his agency is in the midst of deciding wether or not to present the governor with a drought declaration. Nancy Foley, spokeswoman for the DWR agency said that the declaration may appear "within a couple weeks."

Update January 15, 2014-- The remains of Lt. Snyder have been recovered, the Navy announced.

January 9, 2014 (Santee) – Lt. Sean Christopher Snyder, 39, of Santee has been identified by the U.S. Navy as the pilot who remains missing after a Sea Dragon helicopter crash off the Virginia coast on Wednesday. 

Two other crew members died and two more were hospitalized. After the wreckage was found by a dive and salvage team, a formal search has been suspended, though the cutter Shearwater remains at the scene.    

Snyder family members expressed gratitude to all who participated in the rescue efforts, according to a statement issued by the Navy, which further states,“At this time, our hearts and prayers are for Sean’s recovery, the other families who have suffered loss, and for the health of the hospitalized sailors. Lieutenant Sean Snyder is a decorated pilot, a man of honor, dedicated husband, and father, who is proud and grateful for his privilege to serve his country in the United States Navy.The family has a deep faith and trust in God and from him they have found their hope and peace. The Snyder’s are extremely grateful for the love and support they have received from their friends and their community. They truly appreciate your continued prayers.”