“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
Printer-friendly version July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing nebulae to the shattered remains of once mighty suns to our galaxy’s most distant stellar clusters." Choose from a package that includes an overnight stay at the Borrego Springs Resort, or a viewing-only program without hotel. Package at the Borrego Springs Resort includes: one night deluxe accommodations on August 15th, indoor slide program followed by naked-eye and telescope viewing (weather permitting), buffet dinner, transportation to viewing site, mini-flashlights, celestial party refreshments, taxes and gratuity. For more information, visit: http://www.dennismammana.com/events/lectures.htm or call 888.826.7734 for reservations. The event is expected to fill up, so early reservations are recommended. http://www.borregospringsresort.com/featuredpromotions.asp To read about Mammana’s most recent popular sky event there, check out this recent article by one of the participants: http://www.sandiegoinsidertours.com/blog/index.php/category/desert-life/ To view East County Magazine’s previous profile story about Mammana’s many accomplishments, please read: http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=452_mammana. Printer-friendly version
DOIUBLE TRAGEDY IN DELUZ: MAN AND 3-YEAR OLD CHILD DROWN
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (Deluz) – A three-year-old child airlifted by helicopter last night to Palomar Hospital has died, CAL-FIRE reports today. The child, a drowning victim, was driven to CAL-FIRE’s Deluz station last night, after relatives found the youngster at Tenaja Reservoir in Deluz, not breathing. Firefighters performed CPR, but were unable to save the youngster. Engine companies and law enforcement dispatched to the reservoir found a 27-year-old man dead in the water. "Initial reports indicate the two went to the reservoir to go fishing," CAL=FIRE Captain Nick Schuler reports. "They suspect the three-year-old fell in the water and the adult went in after the child. The sides of the reservoir are very slippery and difficult to get out once in the water." Family members, concerned after the two did not return home, went to the reservoir and found the child not breathing. The family did not see the adult, who was under the water and was found by CAL-FIRE divers. Names of the victims have not yet been released by authorities. The Valley News reports the man was the child’s uncle, and that the toddler and family were visiting relatives for the holiday weekend. Printer-friendly version
FIRE SPARKED BY WEEDING TOOL DOUSED IN EL CAJON; KEEP FIRE EXTINGUISHER HANDY WHEN CLEARING BRUSH, OFFICIALS CAUTION
Printer-friendly version July 4, 2009 (El Caj on)–At 11:05 a.m. this morning, El Cajon Fire crews were dispatched to a report of a brush fire near 1103 Gorsline Dr. in El Cajon. When firefighters arrived on scene, they encountered a 3/4-acre brush fire burning uphill threatening residential structures. Approximately ten firefighters on three engines and a Battalion Chief were able to contain the blaze in approximately 30 minutes, but remained on scene for over an hour and a half putting out hot spots. The cause of the fire was accidental; a resident digging with a steel bladed hand tool hit a rock creating a spark, which ignited dry vegetation. Good preventative weed abatement practices around structures by homeowners allowed firefighters to quickly gain the upper hand on this fire without allowing the fire to cause structure damage. El Cajon fire crews were assisted by firefighters from the Lakeside Fire Department and from the San Miguel Fire Protection District. *A reminder: When clearing brush, always keep a fire extinguisher or garden hose near by in case you accidentally spark a blaze. Photos taken by El Cajon Fire Division Chief Rick Sitta. Printer-friendly version