READERS CALENDAR FOR FEBRUARY 10 THRU 18, 2013
For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org February 10, 2013 (San Diego)–The San Diego Public Library’s 47th Annual Local Authors Exhibit: The Library is going to display it in the exhibit, which will run the entire month of February 2013 in the lobby of the Central Library downtown. February 10 (Sunday, 11:00 am to 1:00 pm) — The Chino Farm and the Good Earth/Great Chefs Series are honored to announce the next chef in the series, Nancy Singleton Hachisu, and her newly released cookbook Japanese Farm Food. This book signing and culinary event will also feature a cooking demonstration and tasting by Chef Singleton Hachisu, using fresh winter vegetables from the Chino Farm, 6123 Calzada del Bosque, Rancho Santa Fe. This stunning cookbook offers a unique window into life on a Japanese farm through the simple, clear-flavored recipes cooked from family crops and other local organic products. The event will be held outdoors, rain or shine, and is free to the public. Books can be pre-ordered by e-mail at greatchefsseries@gmail.com or call (619) 889-2271 February 13, (Wednesday, 1:30 pm) — Friends of Older Gays Writing Group meets every second Wednesday of the month in the Library of The LBGT Center on Center Street at University Ave. in Hillcrest. Everyone has a story in them, so if you want to learn interesting things about other members, stretch your creativity, or simply scratch that writing itch, we invite you to join us. We like to keep the group small and intimate, but we can always add more sections. The FOG Writers Group consists of members who explore everything from fiction to poetry and anything in between that causes the composition juices to flow. We have two or three memoirists, a non-fiction writer producing fascinating and thought-provoking general interest essays and articles, and one member who leads us by spooky ink trail into the paranormal, opening up “the other side” of dark mystery. Two members have books in the works, one writes for pleasure and documentation of the past, and another pens subjects of current or historical interest. We encompass published writers, beginners, and those who simply live to write. February 13, (Wednesday, 4:30 pm) — UCSD’s New Writing Series is pleased to announce A Reading from BOB PERELMAN. The reading will take place in the UCSD Visual Arts Facility (VAF) Performance Space. This event is free and open to the public. For more information and directions: http://literature.ucsd.edu/news/currentevents/writingseries.html Or contact: Kendall Grady at kegrady@ucsd.edu. February 15-18 — The 27th annual Southern California Writers’ Conference in San Diego takes place Presidents’ Day Weekend, February 15-18, 2013. With around $4 million dollars worth of publishing success behind us, as always, our next event is geared to get you where you want to go with your work. Lots of info on the site at: http://www.writersconference.com. February 16 (Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) — Publish & Profit with Ebooks 2 half-day workshops. Andrea Glass and Bruce Fischer, owners of The Ebook Academy will present two half-day workshops “Publish & Profit with Ebooks” at Coco’s Restaurant, 407 Encinitas Blvd, Encinitas. From 10 am to 2 pm will be Write & Publish and from 1 pm to 5 pm will be Promote & Profit. Both sessions overlap at the networking lunch and will allow participants to discover a proven formula to write and publish ebooks that readers want to buy, as well as the best methods to promote ebooks online and off. Lunch and valuable bonuses are included. Some of the bonuses are: The 4 M’s to Master Your Money report + 30-min consultation: www.MaraHoover.com, Tom Hinton’s 10,000 Days MP3 or ebook: www.10000days.org, and Erick Pettersen’s Online Ebook Marketing by SEO Bridges MP3: www.seobridges.com. The Ebook Academy is an online school where you learn to earn with ebooks through live and online courses, ebooks, and retreats. Cost is $79 for either workshop; $139 for both. For more information and registration, visit www.TheEbookAcademy.com/Courses111012 or contact at 858-350-5235 or info@TheEbookAcademy.com. February 20 (Wednesday, 4:30 pm) — UCSD’s New Writing Series is pleased to announce a double Reading from ELENI SIKELIANOS & LAIRD HUNT. The reading will take place in the Literature Building, Room 155 (de Certeau Room). This event is free and open to the public. For more information and directions: http://literature.ucsd.edu/news/currentevents/writingseries.html Or contact: Kendall Grady at kegrady@ucsd.edu. Writers Workshops, Classes, Seminars, Book Festivals, Contests and Authors Exhibits www.SDWriteWay.org ATTENTION AUTHORS: Have your book featured in Local Authors Books. Go to Local Writers Lounge for details. ATTENTION THEATER LOVERS: The SDWriteWay.org webzine is looking for more volunteers to write theater reviews. Of course the tickets are free. Contact Kathy Carpenter at kathy.carpenter4@gte.net. Sam Warren is the publisher and editor of www.SDWriteWay.org. Visit the site for additional news and calendar events for both Readers and Writers.
STUDENT ARRESTED AFTER THREATENING MASS SHOOTING AT POWAY SCHOOL
By Miriam Raftery February 10, 2013 (Poway) – A 12-year-old student at Twin Peaks Middle School has been arrested after sending an e-mail to an administrator Friday night threatening to shoot 23 students and a teacher at the school on Monday, February 11. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s department, the e-mail also claimed the student had access to numerous firearms and 3,000 rounds of ammunition. Yesterday, a search of the student’s home found numerous rifles and handguns along with computers, ECM news partner 10 News reports. The student has been admitted to a hospital for treatment and evaluation. The case will be submitted to the District Attorney for review, however making a terrorist threat is a felony in California. Principal Kelly Burke sent a letter urging parents to discuss the situation with children “to ensure their comfort and safety.” Counselors will be available to speak with students who may feel vulnerable, Burke said, adding that the incident may draw national media attention. The principal concluded that “we remain committed to keeping the safety of our children our highest priority.” The Sheriff’s Department learned of the threat yesterday morning and began an investigation with the Poway Criminal Apprehension Team (PCAT) and the Crime High-Tech Response Team (CATCH). Investigators traced the email through the student’s Internet service provider due to the seriousness of the threat. Officials did not sweep the campus for weapons, but armed deputies will be on campus Monday, Poway Patch.com reported. Authorities have indicated there is no evidence that anyone else was involved in the threats. “Obviously, this is saddening and disturbing,” Poway Unified School District Superintendent John Collins, expressing relief that the system worked to avoid a tragedy at the school.
COUNTY RELEASES ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT ON FORMER FCI LANDS : COMMENTS DUE MARCH18
February 10, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–The draft environmental documents for the Forest Conservation Initiative (FCI) Lands General Plan Amendment have been released for public review. The lands included cover vast tracts of unincorporated communities in East County and beyond. This Draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) has been prepared as a Supplemental EIR (SEIR) because only minor additions or changes are necessary to ensure the General Plan Update Program EIR adequately applies to the proposed changed designations of the Forest Conservation Initiative Lands GPA. The proposed Project for the SEIR is based on community planning and sponsor group endorsed land use maps. The Draft Plan and Draft Supplemental EIR are available at: http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/advance/FCI.html At the link above, scroll down to click on the land use map for your area or, in the first paragraph, click on SUPPLEMENTAL EIR (SEIR) to go to the full report. The lands affected by the proposed Project are located in the following Community Planning Areas (CPAs) and Subregional Planning Areas (Subregions): Alpine CPA Central Mountain Subregion (including the communities of Cuyamaca, Descanso, and Pine Valley) Desert Subregion Jamul/Dulzura Subregion Julian CPA Mountain Empire Subregion (including the community of Campo/Lake Morena) North Mountain Subregion (including Palomar Mountain) Pendleton/De Luz CPA Ramona CPA During 2011-12, back country residents attended meetings and presentations by SD County staff to discuss land use designations for the Former FCI lands. By the end of the summer, compromises were reached for most areas and the County initiated an environmental assessment of the proposed plans. This report compares the environmental impact of the existing land use designations, the plan developed in conjunction with residents, as well as feasible alternatives identified as: No New East Willows Village Alternative (Alpine CPA). Modified Project Alternative (Environmentally Superior Alternative). No Project Alternative. In addition to the Project alternatives described above, three additional alternatives were considered but rejected from further analysis because they did not accomplish most of the basic project objectives. The rejected alternatives were: Increased Intensity Alternative (Alpine CPA) Reduced Development/No Build Alternatives FCI Density Alternative County residents are encouraged to review the report and attend the upcoming Community Planning Group meeting in their area to learn more about the future plans for these lands. Those who wish to comment on the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report must submit their comments as follows: Comments are due MARCH 18, 2013. Send comments to: Mindy.Fogg@sdcounty.ca.gov or Attention: Mindy Fogg, 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, CA 92123
BOOK REVIEW: JUST IN TIME FOR VALENTINE’S DAY, LOCAL MYSTERY AUTHORS TAKE A STAB AT WRITING ROMANCE NOVEL IN NO CATS, NO CHOCOLATE
No Cats, No Chocolate, by Ken Kuhlken and Alan Russell, Hickey’s Books, La Mesa Book review by Miriam Raftery February 10, 2013 (La Mesa)–What happens when a pair of formerly acclaimed but now down-on-their-luck mystery novelists hit rock bottom? In No Cats, no Chocolate, local authors Ken Kuhlken and Alan Russell pen themselves in as the main characters. Best noted for their literary-quality mystery works, they resolve to make some quick cash writing a romance novel after an outline sent as a lark lands an assignment from a publisher. Delilah Bluefeather and Violet St. Claire ( the authors’ noms de plume), are born. Worse, they must complete the task in days, while on a road trip to jump-start their careers with a coveted appearance on Oprah’s show. The book is a sequel to Road Kill, in which the same quirky duo embarked on a journey to convince readers across America to buy their books. It’s a clever literary trick for the authors to write themselves in as characters in their own works—and create a series to boot. As a former participant in a writing critique group led by Kuhlken, I can’t help wondering how many quirky traits described in the book are fact – and which are fiction? Even as book defies the odds by climbing higher on the Amazon bestseller list, the authors take perverse pride in touting wretched reviews such as these printed on the opening pages: “There are few subjects on which the scientific community is in agreement, and the science fiction community is just as fractious. However, when it comes to Russell and Kuhlken we all concur: We hope they faill into a wormhole, end up on the other side of a distant galaxy, and are never heard from again!” — David Brin, bestselling author of The Postman. “On my Top Ten List! My biggest regret in retiring from the FBI is that I can’t put these two jokers behind bars. Kuhlken and Russell’s No Cats, No Chocolate, is the latest of many frauds they’ve perpetuated on an unsuspecting American public. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day a lynch mob stormed one of their signings, and neither would I be surprised if law enforcement turned a blind eye to the people’s justice.” – Gene Riehl, bestselling author of Quantico Rules. Clutching my cat while savoring a box of chocolates, I hunkered down in a comfy chair and embarked on reading this road trip to riches or ruin. No Cats, No Chocolate presumably derives its title from the authors’ resolve not to pander to audiences seeking fluff, though they deem penning passionate prose under pseudonyms acceptable for a price. (They still have some standards.) If you’re looking for sensitive writing and a sensuous romance plot with multi-dimensional characters, don’t read this book. Kuhlken and Russell relish bad clichés as they set out on a rollicking ride, vying to see who can complete the task of finishing a romance novel first. Their outlandish plot breaks seemingly every rule of romance writing including raping the heroine, yet miraculously manages to win the editor’s approval. Feigning passion as they pump out prose about two hearts—actually three—beating as one, the authors’ do exhibit genuine feelings as they parry a barrage of insults back and forth. (Those insults extend even into penning each others’ bios. Of Kuhlken, whose first book, Midheaven, was nominated for the Ernest Hemmingway Award, Russell claims the nomination was made because Kuhlken “paid out substantial bribe money.” Kuhlken, in turn, offers this advice regarding Russell: “Booksellers, collectors and mystery fans should rush out and buy copies of Alan’s work before he does something that makes him so infamous the value skyrockets or a decency committee buys and burns all his available books in protest.”) From San Diego’s suburbs to a Chicago jail cell, the authors embark on a fast-paced series of misadventures, finding unexpected curves along the way as they seek to escape their dead-end career path in No Cats, No Chocolate. On the road, Kulkhen warns Russell against letting anyone—especially Oprah—know about their moonlighting assignment writing purple prose. “Why?” Russell quips. “Everyone loves stories of how the mighty have fallen.” He then points out that Oprah devoted entire shows to Bridges of Madison County. “I want your promise that you won’t say anything,” Kulkhen insists. “You are not going to embarrass me on national television.” Russell deadpans, “I count on you doing that yourself.” You’ll have to read for yourself to find out the ironic end to their quest for fortune if not fame, though suffice to say that these crafty and mercenary authors have left ample room for a sequel in the future. If you’re seeking a high-brow literary work of the quality Kuhlken penned in Midheaven to earn a Hemmingway nomination, don’t read this book. If you’re looking for a light-hearted read while living vicariously through a pair of irascible characters on a road trip with bizarre twists, then this is the book for you. Warning: this series is not over; watch for And No Damn Recipes hitting bookstore shelves soon.
SPRING VALLEY SHOOTING VICTIM HOSPITALIZED
February 10, 2013 (Spring Valley)—A victim shot multiple times outside Fannie’s Bar in Spring Valley shortly after midnight has been transported from Grossmont Hospital to Sharp Memorial Hospital. Details on his condition are not available, said Sergeant James Blanton with the San Diego Sheriff. At 12:08 a.m., the Sheriff’s Department received 911 calls concerning gunshots being fired outside Fannie’s Bar, located at 9143 Campo Road in Spring Valley. Upon arriving, deputies contacted several patrons inside the bar, as well as possible witnesses outside the bar. None of the individuals contacted at the bar appeared to be directly involved with the shooting, Sgt. Blanton stated. Several witnesses reported that all those involved had left the location prior to deputies’ arrival. While investigating the incident deputies were notified that a victim of multiple gunshot wounds arrived at Grossmont Hospital and was transferred to Sharp Memorial. No suspects or other victims were identified at Fannie’s Bar. Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station detectives responded to the shooting location, and are conducting the investigation.
ASIAN FESTIVAL CONTINUES TODAY, RAIN OR SHINE
February 10, 2013 (San Diego) – Rain, thunder, chilling wind, and even a hail storm could not stop the Kearny Mesa Lunar New Year Festival from taking place. Yesterday, elected officials and visitors were treated to a tour of the “Asian Village” where they learned about the cultural significance of each village building or structure. The evening concluded after a New Year’s Eve concert that featured the top artists from Asia Entertainment Inc, and the Little Saigon Idol. Festival organizers said that the Festival will open again today regardless of rain, shine, or ice. Sunday’s entertainment will include an exciting Miss Teen Traditional Dress Beauty Pageant. On Saturday, the festival opened with Mayor Bob Filner and Councilwoman Marti Emerald presenting a proclamation to the Kearny Mesa Recreation Council thanking them for sponsoring the Festival and for promoting Asian culture. Also present was Assemblymember Toni Atkins who publicly congratulated the Little Saigon Foundation, based in City Heights, and the Kearny Mesa Recreation Council for putting on the event. The event is being held at Kearny Mesa Park, near Mesa College at 3170 Armstrong St. from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children. Thousands attended yesterday’s opening day ceremonies.
JOINT REGIONAL INTELLIGENCE AUTHORITY ISSUES NEW WARNING ON EX-LAPD OFFICER WANTED IN HOMICIDES, ATTACKS ON POLICE
Update Feb. 10: Los Angeles Police Chief today announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Dorner February 9, 2013 (San Diego)–Today the Joint Regional Intelligence Authority issued a bulletin regarding Christopher Dorner, a former Los Angeles Police officer and ex-military member who is believed to have committed multiple murders and also shot police officers in a spree of violence that led him to San Diego late last week. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous. San Diego Police Watch Command forwarded the bulletin below with a request for the public to “please be vigilant for suspicious activity in harbor and dock areas.” Dorner’s burned truck was found with a broken axel in Big Bear, where an extensive manhunt has been underway, but he has not been located. To see the full bulletin, click here.
SNOW BLANKETS LOCAL MOUNTAINS
By Miriam Raftery February 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) —Heavy snowfall has transformed our local mountains into winter wonderlands. Mount Laguna received 10 inches of snowfall in the past 24 hours, followed by Palomar Mountain with 7 to 8 inches. Cuyamaca also received significant snowfall, as this image sent in by reader Grace Schlesier shows. Frost and freezing temperatures are expected through Monday in inland valleys. Other areas dusted in white include Julian (3-6 inches), Ranchita (5 inches), Santa Ysabel (2 inches) and Pine Valley (2 inches) . Snow even dipped down to Descanso and Campo, which received less than a half inch each. The sun will shine today for those seeking to frolic in the snow, but carry chains if traveling to higher elevations and watch for icy roadways.
FATALITY CRASH SHUTS DOWN HIGHWAY 94
Update 8:40 p.m. — The Deerhorn Valley Antler Alerts has this update: Expect 94 to be closed in both directions between Otay Lakes Rd and SR-188. Head-on crash 300 yds east of Community Bldg Rd has reportedly claimed 2 lives, with another serious injury transported. According to Yvonne Purdy from Dulzura CERT, the closure is will last approximately 3 hours. The coroner’s was delayed by the traffic backup and had to travel east using the westbound lanes. February 9, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)–6:35 p.m. State Route 94 is shut down in both directions due to a head-on fatality accident at Marron Valley Road, near the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in East County, the California Highway Patrol reports. Sign up to receive free Viejas Wildfire & Emergency Alerts at the top right side of our homepage, and also receive a free weekly copy of East County Magazine. You can also follow ViejasAlerts on Twitter for brief text alerts on your mobile device. We recommend all of the above, since you can’t know what means of communication will work best in a major regional emergency.