East County News Service

August 21, 2014 (Julian)--The Julian StarFest runs from August 21-August 24 among the grape vines and apple orchards at Menghini Winery in Julian.Anyone can enjoy the Julian StarFest by participating in the free public star party on Saturday, August 23rd.

Arrive in Julian between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. and you can enter the StarFest grounds (1150 Julian Orchards Ln, Julian, CA 92036) for free. Take a star tour of the heavens using the many telescopes set up in the viewing area. Experts will be on hand to answer questions about what your looking at and about the telescopes.

Dear  Readers:

A year ago when KNSJ radio launched, the station promised to air our live wildfire and emergency alerts. Saturday is their anniversary party - please send a message TODAY asking them to honor this promise!

In the July 2013 Chariot Fire the station did go live and I reported on the fire on Mt. Laguna.  For a few weeks, KNSJ aired our alerts with a delay of an hour or so, promising to improve technology to get real live alerts. Later KNSJ stopped airing wildfire alerts at all. I’ve pleaded with KNSJ to air Viejas Wildfire Alerts as promised, which we offer them free, to save lives and keep you safe. In the backcountry when power lines burn and some have no cell service,  battery-powered radio is often the only way to get news during fires.

KNSJ’s CEO says having the federal emergency broadcast system  in place is enough, but it’s not. It wasn’t activated during recent fires in East County.  KNSJ's CEO and Board  refuse to even guarantee a start date for alerts or an exact dollar figure that would guarantee these would air. They ask for more money, without delivering on promises made to donors who already gave to support getting alerts on the air.  KNSJ also has zero live broadcasting, even for breaking news during fires.

TAKE OUR POLL AND SEND A MESSAGE TO KNSJ:  Should the FCC ask KNSJ to keep its promise and air live Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts & have live news broadcasts during wildfires?

PLEASE VOTE HERE:  http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/poll/should-fcc-ask-knsj-keep-its-promise-air-live-viejas-wildfire-emergency-alerts-and-have-live-ne

Photo, left:  Cal Fire Chief Joe Rinaldi discusses need to cancel parade for safety's sake.

By Nadin Abbott

Photos Tom and Nadin Abbott

July 4, 2014 (Julian) The Fourth of July parade was an unintended victim  of the so called “Banner Fire” east of Julian, which destroyed two homes and injured a firefighter. The fire started at around noon and by this morning it has charred 217 acres, with 40 percent containment according to Captain Ken Bortisser of CAL FIRE.

The following road closures remain in effect: State Route 78 at Manzanita Drive, and  Manzanita Drive at Lakeview Drive.

The decision to cancel the parade, announced late yesterday by the California Highway Patrol and CAL FIRE, sparked consternation among some residents.

June 29, 2014 (Julian) – In the historic gold rush town of Julian, the 4^th of July starts with a parade and American Legion barbecue.  Guests are invited to finish up a day in the mountains at Jeremy’s on the Hill, where a Backcountry wine pairing dinner will be held featuring organic, local produce from Sage Mountain Farms and wines from Shadow Mountain Vineyards and Sierra Roble Winery and Vineyard, both in Warner Springs. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and tickets are $44 per person, plus tax and gratuity.

Hear the Destination East County segment on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ 89.1 FM each Wed. and Fri. at 5:00 p.m. or listen online at www.EastCountyMagazine.org!

By Ariele Johannson

June 10, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--East County has plenty of activities to enjoy this weekend, including some designated for Father’s Day. However, many of the events this weekend might be interesting for Dad and the family to enjoy. Plus, we have a major festival in El Cajon that is number one on our list.

Tour to unveil the first brand new building on Hubbell Hill in 10 years

May 26, 2014 (Julian)--Iconic San Diego artist, global humanitarian and cultural leader, James Hubbell, will once again invite the public to tour his family’s magical and historically-designated compound in Julian, Calif. for the annual Father’s Day Open House on Sunday, June 15, 2014. The tour will also unveil the brand new ninth building on the compound – the Ilan-Lael Foundation building, which has been under construction since early 2013. The archive and gallery spaces of the new building will be open for the first time ever, which will showcase some of Hubbell’s most recent work.

May 10, 2014 (Julian) – The third annual Julian Wild & Scenic Film Festival is slated for May 16 and 17 in Julian, a historic mountain town in San Diego’s East County.   

“We have some awesome films and guest speakers lined up along with some great parties and special events,” promises Nancy Kramer, an organizer of the event.  “We'll introduce you to sports such as Canyoneering (exploring a canyon by engaging in such activities as rappelling, rafting, and waterfall jumping)  surfing on a remote Arctic Island, kayaking over waterfalls, and closer to home...roller-blading along the Mission Bay/Pacific Beach Boardwalk.”  Also watch two women in the field, one who studies whales and dolphins and another who save sloths as their rain forests habitats are clearcut.  Plus she added, “You'll fall in love with a young man who dedicates his time to introducing at-risk kids to the beauty of nature.” 

The third annual festival – which will be held May 16-17 at Julian High School multipurpose room  – is part of a 115-city nationwide tour that showcases award-winning films about nature, community activism, adventure, conservation, water, energy and climate change, wildlife, environmental justice, agriculture, and indigenous cultures.

By Miriam Raftery

April 25, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)—Timothy Evan Nodal, 19, of Julian has died after suffering medical problems while hiking on the Pacific Crest Trail near Lake Morena.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2014 (Julian) – Last night shortly after 8 p.m., a lost hiker called the Sheriff’s communication center to report that he and a companion were lost in the rugged Three Sisters Falls area near Julian.  Their cell phone was dying and they could not find their way back to their vehicle, said Sergeant Carlos Medina at the Julian Sheriff’s Substation.

“We are puzzled by recommendation not to list, given that the state’s current known wolf population is only one wolf that intermittently comes into the state.  It’s hard to get more endangered than that.”--- Lauren Richie, Director of California Wolf Recovery for the California Wolf Center in Julian. “It’s hard to get more endangered than that.”

 

Source: California Wolf Center

February 6, 2014 (San Francisco)--. — The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has determined that protecting gray wolves under the California Endangered Species Act is not warranted. The Department presented that recommendation yesterday in a status report given to the state’s Fish and Game Commission in Sacramento.

Our November shows are now online—including special reports on East County issues, interviews with top newsmakers, local musicians, authors, colorful characters and people making a positive difference in our community. Click here for a list of our November shows and guests with links to listen online.

You can also hear our show live when it airs on KNSJ 89.1 FM on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5 p.m. and reruns Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 9 a.m.  Or listen live online during those hours at www.KNSJ.org.

By Miriam Raftery

Back Country Voices, a citizens group in East County, held a forum on November 11 regarding a proposal to test drones--unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs-- over backcountry areas in San Diego and East County.   Concerned citizens packed into Julian’s library to learn more about the implications of drone testing in our region.

The first speaker was John Raifsnider, a local resident.  “San Diego Military Advisory Council, the Economic Development [Council] and then the Chamber…What does that mean? “ he asked. “Money and military. What does that mix create? We want to know.”

By Miriam Raftery

October 10, 2013 (Julian) – Working in frigid weather amid blowing snow, sleet and high winds, a team of rescue units located a missing plane shortly after midnight in the Volcan Mountain Wilderness Preserve.  

The male pilot and a female passenger were found dead inside the plane, along with their dog. The plane crashed onto a rugged, steep hillside approximately half a mile from a road near the top of Volcan Mountain. ECM news partner reports that Andrew Thulin of San Diego, Robbie Rose and their poodle were on board.

October 9, 2013 (Julian ) –Amid cold, stormy conditions, a ground search is being conducted by Sheriff’s Search and Rescue in the Julian area for a Piper Mooney plane.   The small plane took off from Palm Springs for El Cajon’s Gillespie Field, but never arrived.

“They’re starting a ground search up in the Julian command area,” Lieutenant Dave Schaller with the Sheriff’s office told ECM tonight.  “We’re unable to get ASTREA up in the air due to the weather.” Lighting has knocked the webcam atop Volcan Mountain offline and snow is forecast to dip down to around 5,500 feet tonight.  Volcan Mountain is 5,350 feet.