ALPINE KEYBOARD ARTISTS WIN NATIONAL COMPETITION
By Suzie Steenbergen August 1, 2012 (Alpine) — Every year, over 100,000 piano students from all across the country participate in the National College of Musicians’ piano auditions. This year, Alex Speck, Ashley Hoffman, Avery Howard, Mia Moran, Sophia Parsons, and Rhianna Speck entered the competition. They each played several songs in the presence of a professional adjudicator chosen by the Piano Guild of America. All received the highest scores possible for their level. Each student was awarded a certificate, a pin and membership in the National Fraternity of Student Musicians. Their piano artistry qualifies them to participate in citywide and countywide music contests and performances. The students all enjoy piano lessons from Suzie Steenbergen in her home studio in Alpine. Suzie Steenbergen welcomes music students of all ages and skills and can be reached at (619) 445-8767.
THE FUTURE OF THE SOLAR INDUSTRY
By Leon Dale Thompson August 1, 2012 (San Francisco) — The future for solar power is bright—based on the exciting innovations at the InterSolar North America conference for solar energy professionals. Consumers can also look forward to solar that’s more affordable than ever before, thanks to advances exhibited at the world’s largest trade show in the heart of North America’s biggest solar market. More than 18,000 people from 60 countries attended the conference in July, which included 900 exhibits in the massive Moscone Convention Center in downtown San Francisco. Attendees came to see the latest innovations in photovoltaic cells and modules, manufacturing, balance of system components, mounting and tracking systems, energy storage technologies, solar heating and cooling technologies, and many other products and services. Just the size and scale of the event was overwhelming. So I set out to discover if I could, the direction and latest technologies driving the solar industry. Probably the most momentous change in the solar energy industry would have to be the plummeting cost of individual photovoltaic cells. I talked with a long-time solar expert who remembers a time when photovoltaic cells cost $2,000 dollars each. I personally remember the price of $650 dollars per cell less than two years ago. The huge Chinese exhibit of cell manufacturers boasted photovoltaic cells for just $265.00 dollars each. Industry leaders recognize this as a game-changer. In reality, photovoltaic (PV) has come within the reach of the average homeowner in North America. This is hugely significant because it may well shift priorities from massive industrial scale energy production to more rooftop and regional applications. Innovative storage technologies have made it possible to save the electricity generated during the sunniest parts of the day for use after the sun goes down. Fascinating was the presentation by the Mayor of Freiburg Germany, a quaint town completely solar with absolutely no sign of energy transmission. No poles, no wires just clean air and beautiful views, a perfect example of shared regional energy generation. I was especially interested in solar thermal technologies. Solar thermal is the practice of heating water using the sun. Solar thermal is the “best buy for the buck” of all solar technologies. Heating water using the sun will reduce a family’s monthly energy bill by 30% to 50%. The average cost of a conventional solar thermal system in California is around $6,500.00. Each system I’ve installed included a super-insulated holding tank, a conventional water heater as backup, an overflow tank for hot days when no water is being used and a pressure release valve to protect against overheating plus anti freeze protection. The new solar thermal system pays for itself in three to five years. However, an Austrian company has perfected and simplified solar thermal. SunMaster has been making collectors for the solar industry for 35 years. The company has put all the technology into perfecting the collector box that sits on your roof. Two hoses connect to your existing hot water heater and that’s it. Integrated into the collector is a photovoltaic cell that powers a small circulation pump. The pump eliminates “stagnation.” Stagnation occurs when the sun is shining but nobody is home or using hot water during the day. The sun will heat the still-water to boiling temperatures. The solar-powered circulation pump eliminates stagnation. The Austrian solar thermal appliance caused quite a stir at the convention. It will provide a home with 90% of its hot water needs – in Austria where the weather is much cooler than East County. The simplified installation eliminates the need for an electrician or plumber and costs half as much as a conventional system. I left San Francisco with a renewed optimism about the future of solar energy. Innovation has caused the cost to be lower, efficiency higher, and a growing awareness that there are viable alternatives to expensive and dirty utility-grade energy.
EARTHTALK® E – THE ENVIRONMENTAL MAGAZINE
Written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss August 1, 2012 — Dear EarthTalk: I couldn’t believe my ears: “genetically engineered mosquitoes?” Why on Earth would they be created? And I understand there are plans to release them into the wild? — Marissa Abingdon, Sumter, SC Yes it’s true, genetically engineered mosquitoes, which were bred in the lab to transmit a gene during the reproductive process that kills their offspring, have already been used on an experimental basis in three countries—the Cayman Islands, Malaysia and Brazil—to counteract the quickly spreading mosquito-borne viral infection dengue fever. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that as many as 100 million cases of humans infected with dengue fever—which causes a severe flu-like illness and can in certain instances be fatal—occur annually in more than 100 tropical and sub-tropical countries. The British company behind the project, Oxitec, is focusing initially on dengue fever, given that the particular virus which causes it is only carried by one sub-species of mosquito. This makes the illness easier to target than malaria, for instance, which is carried by many different types of mosquitoes. Oxitec first released some of the genetically modified mosquitoes in the Cayman Island in the Caribbean in 2009, much to the surprise of the international community and environmental advocates, many of whom are opposed to genetic engineering in any of its forms due to the unknown and unintended side effects that unleashing transgenic organisms into the world could cause. In Brazil, where the largest experiments have been carried out to date, the government is backing a new facility designed to breed millions of genetically engineered mosquitoes to help keep dengue fever at bay. Dengue fever isn’t considered to be a big problem in the U.S. as yet. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that most of the dengue fever cases showing up in the continental U.S. are among those who have travelled to sub-tropical and tropical areas of the world. Still, WHO reports that the incidence of dengue fever in the U.S. has increased some thirty-fold over the last half century. A proposal by Oxitec to test its transgenic mosquitoes in the Florida Keys has some locals upset. In April 2012, the town of Key West passed an ordinance prohibiting the release of the mosquitoes pending further testing on possible implications for the environment. In the meantime, Oxitec has applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a patent on their mosquito and permission to release them in the U.S. Some 80,000 people have signed onto a campaign on the Change.org website calling on the FDA to deny Oxitec’s application. Mila de Mier, the Key West mother who launched the campaign, is concerned about the potential consequences of releasing an experimental organism on a delicate ecosystem. “Oxitec’s business goal is to sell genetically modified mosquitoes in the United States,” said de Mier. “…we’ve already said we don’t want these mosquitoes in our backyards, but Oxitec isn’t listening.” More definitive scientific study is needed, she says, that looks at the potential long-term impacts. CONTACTS: Oxitec, www.oxitec.com; Change.org, www.change.org. EarthTalk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine ( www.emagazine.com). Send questions to: earthtalk@emagazine.com. Subscribe: www.emagazine.com/subscribe. Free Trial Issue: www.emagazine.com/trial.
SUNNY WEATHER TO SHINE FOR PADRES/CUBS CHARITY EVENT & PHIL’S BBQ
STILL A CHANCE OF STORMS IN THE MOUNTAINS
EL CAJON CENTENNIAL PRESENTS HISTORICAL SPEAKERS
August 1, 2012 (El Cajon)–As El Cajon celebrates 100 years as a City, some may wonder how the City came to be, who were the early settlers, and what life was like 100 years ago? As part of the Centennial Celebration, the City, the downtown El Cajon Library and the El Cajon Historical Society will present an exciting series of historical speakers. “Journey to our Historical Past,” will feature a variety of historians sharing their stories on the first and third Thursday of the month beginning August 2 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room at El Cajon library, 201 East Douglas Avenue. The schedule is as follows: August 2 – Eldonna Lay, Knox House Museum Curator, with “The Exciting Homestead Act of 1862 and the Effects of the Industrial Revolution on Post-Civil War Settlement of El Cajon” August 16 – Carroll Rice, Historical Writer, and Carol Clark Cunningham, Resident, speaking about “The Lively Arts in El Cajon” and “The Arrival of the Clark Family in 1911” September 6 – Jim Daniels, Olaf Wieghorst Western Heritage Museum, Tom Hiatt, Cowboy Balladeer, with “The Life of Olaf Wieghorst and his Impact on El Cajon,” and Musical Entertainment September 20 – G. Gage Skinner, Cultural Anthropologist, with “Grizzly Bear Tales and Beaver Hats; Daring Mountain Men and Their Wanderings to Rural San Diego & East County” October 4 – Jeanette Alessio-Way, “The History Lady” with “The Life of a Kumeyaay Woman – Then and Now” October 18 – Bruce Semelsberger, Pacific Southwest Railway Museum, with “To El Cajon and Beyond – The History of the San Diego and Cuyamaca Eastern Railway” November 1 – Lynn Caruso, Teacher, with “A Child’s Eye-View” of El Cajon For more information on the lecture series please call (619) 588-3708. For information on the City of El Cajon Centennial, please visit www.elcajon100.com, or call (619) 441-5549.
PERUVIAN DELIGHTS AT ANDIAMO! ON AUGUST 11
July 31, 2012 (San Diego) — Andiamo! Ristorante Italiano is offering a night of Peruvian cuisine on August 11, beginning at 5 p.m. at 5950 Santo Road in Tierrasanta. The evening will include live music from the coast of Peru as interpreted by singer Miguel Angel and accompanied by Angelo Salazar on acoustic guitar and Richard Gomez on cajon (Peuovian box). Chef/Owner, Javier Ugarte, a native of Peru created a 3 course prix fixe menu ($32 per person) that includes: First Course Papa A La Huancaina & Causite De Cangrejo Second Course Choice of: Arroz Con Pato – duck cooked with rice in a cilantro puree and ajiamarillo, corn, peas and carrots Lomo Saltado – beef sautéed with tomato, red onions, cilantro and garlic, tossed with fries and served with Peruvian style white rice Seco a la Nortena – braised leg of lamb with cilantro puree, onions garlic, aji, corn beer and shaved butternut squash, served with canary beans, Peruvian style white rice and salcita criolla Plus many more. Third Course Suspiro De Limena Click here for the full menu and a short history of Peru. For reservations call 858-277-3501. Andiamo! Is on the web at www.andiamo-ristorante.com.
2ND ANNUAL SUMMER IN JAMUL PARTY AUGUST 18
July 31, 2012 (Jamul) — Reno’s Pub & Grub is hosting its 2nd Annual “Summer in Jamul” Party August 18, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 14019 Campo Rd., Jamul. The afternoon will include music and craft booths on the patio. Featured food will be Ivan’s “Smoking Hole” BBQ, burgers and more. Beer and wine will be available. For more information call 619-303-0127 or visit www.renospubandgrub.com.
SOCIAL MEDIA WORKSHOPS IN LAKESIDE AUGUST 10, 17, 24
July 31, 2012 (Lakeside) – The Lakeside Chamber of Commerce is holding social media workshops in August at Willowbrook Golf Course, 11905 Riverside Dr., Lakeside. Each workshop will run from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. The workshop schedule is as follows: August 10 – Facebook August 17 – LinkedIn August 24 – Twitter The price for members is $35 per session or $85 for all 3. The non-member price is $50 per session or $140 for all 3. A continental breakfast is included in the price. Seating is limited so please call The Chamber at 619-561-1031 to reserve a spot by August 6.
CAL FIRE: WIND TURBINE GENERATOR CAUSED WILDLAND FIRE THAT CHARRED 367 ACRES
By Miriam Raftery July 31, 2012 (San Diego’s East County) – With County Supervisors poised to consider approval of Tule Wind and a wind ordinance that could open much of fire-prone East County to wind energy development, a wildland fire that started at a wind turbine facility in Riverside County last month provides fuel for opponents concerned about fire risks posed by industrial-scale wind projects. “The fire started with the windmill itself,” Captain Greg Ewing with Cal Fire/Riverside Fire Department informed ECM today. Despite extensive area cleared around the base of each turbine, Ewing said, the blaze still spread into a wildland fire that swiftly engulfed 367 acres. If not for prompt reporting by a witness, it could have been far worse. According to Cal Fire's report on the incident, The View Fire occurred in the Whitewater area east of Cabazon in Riverside County on June 17, 2012 at a wind facility near Cottonwood Road and Desert View. A caller who dialed 911 initially reported seeing flames and “one confirmed windmill on fire” at 9:15 p.m. By 9:33 p.m., CHP stated it had received multiple reports that there were “several windmills on fire” along with a ridgeline near I-10 and Haughen-Lehmann Way. Callers also reporting “popping loud noises” as the turbines burned. Both ground crews and aircraft battled the blaze. Residents in the box canyon were evacuated, including 90-year-old Barbara York, who had time to grab only an overnight bag. York was “frantic,” the Desert Sun reported at the time. At 12:34 a.m. on June 18, Cal Fire’s report on the fire indicates that a request had been made for Edison, since power lines had caught fire in the middle of the wind turbines. More than 100 firefighters fought the fire through the night. The blaze was ultimately stopped at 367 acres, including 100 acres of public lands on Bureau of Land Management property. The final report blames “equipment”, specifically a “generator” and “arcing” for the fire. Asked directly whether the generator that caused the fire was an actual wind turbine, Captain Ewing confirmed, “Yes ma’am.” He also confirmed that ground had been cleared around the base of each turbine, the blaze swiftly spread to become a wildland fire despite those precautions. Captain Ewing did not know the precise cause of the turbine malfunction. “Several companies lease the land,” he noted. “Other companies own the windmills and others service them.” Asked whether Cal Fire intends to seek compensation for the firefighting costs, Ewing replied, “I can’t comment on that.” He did not have the total cost of the firefighting efforts to quell the wildfire. Wind developers have claimed that clearance around turbines, coupled with improved technology, make prospects of fires slim. Earlier this year, a representative from Iberdrola (developer of Tule Wind) assured ECM that the odds of a modern wind turbine causing a fire that escapes to become a wildland fire were infinitessimal. It only takes one wildfire to scorch hundreds of thousands of acres, putting homes and lives at risk, as San Diegans well know. Is that a risk worth taking, for the promise or renewable energy from wind? When comparing the viability of wind to other options such as rooftop or parking lot solar, should the potential costs of firefighting–as well as potential liabilities for damages to property and lost lives–be factored into determining projects' long-term costs and benefits? The BLM has already approved construction of 65 wind turbines in Phase 1 of Tule Wind on BLM land in McCain Valley. On August 8, the County Supervisors will consider whether to follow planners advice to turn down an application form Iberdrola for five more turbines on County land. The bigger issue for Supervisors will be whether or not to approve an upcoming sweeping wind ordinance that could open wide the doors for large-scale wind turbine developments, each with dozens or even hundreds of towering wind turbines in fire-prone areas of East County. In rural East County, 100-mile per hour gusts quickly transformed the Harris Fire into a raging inferno during the 2007 firestorms–a nightmarish repeat of the 2003 Cedar Fire. Dubbed the Santa Anas (or "devil winds") by the Spanish, the winds are common in East County during the hottest, dryest season. Thus it is prudent for County officials to give serious thought to potentially serious consequences should a turbine malfunction in a remote location. Homeowners near the View Fire were fortunate that a witness spotted the fire and reported it promptly, before homes or lives were lost. What happens if a turbine fire occurs in a remote East County location in the middle of the night? Will flames engulf homes, or in the case of Tule Wind, campsites in the path of the fire? Could the County be held liable if wind turbines that it approves cause a devastating wildfire? These are troubling questions that deserve satisfactory answers.