WINE CLUB MEMBERS CELEBRATE MARDI GRAS AT MILAGRO FARM VINEYARDS AND WINERY
By Miriam Raftery February 10, 2013 (Ramona) – Milagro Farms Vineyards and Winery owners Kit and Karen Sickels have plenty to celebrate. At a Mardi Gras party for wine club members yesterday, Kit Sickels (right) and winemaker Jim Hart shared news that their boutique winery took home top honors in the 2013 Winemakers Challenge International Wine Competition in late January, beating out big-name winemakers. The Mardi Gras festivities—complete with live band, prize drawings, lunch and of course, wine tasting—were all part of the perks available to the winery’s more than 200 wine club members. Wine clubs are gaining popularity across East County as a growing number of wineries, vineyards and tasting rooms have taken root. Sickels was concerned that stormy weather might keep folks away—but instead, more than a hundred guests turned out to celebrate in style. Prizes were given to guests with the best masks. In addition, drawings were held to give away gifts of wine and wine accessories. The winery hosts special events quarterly for wine club members to pick up three bottles of wine, mix and mingle with other wine aficionados while partying hearty. Membership in Milagro’s wine club is free. Members agree to purchase three bottles quarterly, at 20% discounts, picked up at the winery. (Choose from reds, whites, or mixed.) Members also receive invites to private events and private winery tours (most popular was a BBQ and tastings in a wine cave), as well as free wine tastings for up to four people. There are also incentives –gifts of wine—for referring new members. (Please note: If you join Milagro’s wine club and write on your application that you were referred by East County Magazine’s editor, Miriam Raftery, a gift of wine will be donated to ECM in your honor. What better way to support nonproifit independent media? Cheers!) Milagro, which means “miracle” in Spanish, is an apt name for this Ramona vineyard and winery. A prior owner of the property left after failing to find water. But with a deeper well, the Sickels found water and established the 110-acre vineyard and winery. But in 2007, disaster struck. The Witch Creek Fire blazed through the region, destroying 1,500 grape vines as well as thousands of avocado trees and olive trees on the Sickels’ property. But the couple stood firm and replanted, soon expanding to 11 varietals and winning a slew of top awards with help from winemaker Jim Hart – who learned his craft from his father at the family’s well known Hart Winery in Temecula. In the 2013 Winemaker Challenge, Milagro took home best of show and best of class awards for its 2012 2012 Rose of Sangiovese and 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, as well as a gold medal for its Barbera wine and a silver for Meritage. Made with estate grown local grapes, Milagro’s wines have also picked up many other awards in competitions ranging from the San Diego County Fair to the Pacific Rim and San Francisco international wine competitions. The winery ‘s successes are fast dispelling the conventional wisdom that San Diego is best suited as a red wine grape growing region. Last year, Milagro’s celebrated sauvignon blanc, made with its own estate-grown grapes in Ramona, even beat out French vintages in a blind tasting competition. View a full list of varietals grown at Milagro: http://www.milagrofarmvineyards.com/winemaking/ The winery boasts one of the largest tasting rooms in San Diego County, perched on a hill at about 2400 feet in elevation just behind another local landmark, the Oasis Camel Dairy at the northern edge of Ramona. You can also visit the barrel room, tour the winery, and shop at a gift store with an assortment of wares for wine aficionados–as well as a spirited group of wine club members who savored the Mardi Gras festiviteis in style. For more information, visit www.milagrofarmvineyards.com.
SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS AND NUMBERS
By Erika Lawrence Social Security District Manager, El Cajon February 19, 2013 (El Cajon)–Do you know where your Social Security card is located? Hopefully, it’s in a safe place, tucked away securely with your other important papers. It certainly should not be in your purse or wallet and should not be carried with you every day since it can be more valuable than cash to an identity thief. Do you know your Social Security number? Chances are you have it memorized. If you know your number, you may never need your card again. It is the number, not the card, that is most important. In the event that you lose your Social Security card and really need a replacement, you can find out all the details on how to obtain a replacement card and what specific documents you need to provide at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber. Each situation is unique, but in most cases you simply need to print, complete, and either mail or bring the application to Social Security with the appropriate documentation (originals or certified copies only). If you need to apply for a Social Security card and number for your child, you can do that the same way, and get the specific information at the same website. In almost all cases, though, an application for your infant’s Social Security card and number is taken in the hospital at the same time that you apply for your baby’s birth certificate. Why does a baby need a Social Security number? There are a number of reasons, but the main one is so that you can claim your child as a dependent on your tax return. Social Security numbers are also needed for children to apply for certain government and social service benefits. As you prepare for tax season, just around the corner, make sure the kids (and all the dependents) that you list on your annual tax return have Social Security numbers. If you want to claim your child as a dependent on your tax return (and who doesn’t?) your child will need a Social Security number. Note that all dependents listed on your federal tax return will need Social Security numbers, including a dependent parent who lives with you and receives support from you. Learn more about Social Security at www.socialsecurity.gov. And learn more about your Social Security card and number at www.socialsecurity.gov/ssnumber, where you can print out an application and find out everything you need for your specific situation.
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT (BEAUTIFUL CREATURES)
By Brian Lafferty February 15, 2013 (San Diego) – The Twilight movies are easy targets for online hostility and teasing. But at least those movies, as lifeless as they are to me (I gave up after the second one), respect their audience, especially their target young adult audience. They don’t insult anyone’s intelligence. Beautiful Creatures, inspired by (or, rather, ripped off from) the Twilight series is offensive, rife with exaggerated phony accents, Southern stereotypes, hammy acting, and dialogue so awkward and bad that it confounds the actors who have to say these lines. I’m surprised my neck didn’t get stiff from all the double takes. Beautiful Creatures is downright insulting towards not just the general audience, but also particularly its target young adult audience and their intelligence, and the flagrancy of it is appalling. LaGravenese adapts from the popular young adult book of the same name. It’s set in a small South Carolina town that embodies every bad and unfair stereotype of Southern values. Movies don’t open in theaters until they’re out on DVD and when they do, it’s invariably misspelled. (The only time I laughed was when the marquee read “Interception starring Leonardo DiCaprio.”) There are more banned books than books to read. Ethan Wate (Alden Ehrenreich using a gratingly awful Southern accent) meets Lena Duchannes (Alice Englert), the new girl in town. It turns out she comes from a bloodline of Casters (a nicer term for Witches) and on her 16th birthday, her powers will either be Light or Dark. Characters speak such dialogue as “Could you insult me in the car? It’s getting like the Titanic in the end.” LaGravenese’s screenplay is a hypocritical discourse in prejudice. Lena and her family are treated with hostility because they live way out of town, their house attracts lightning, and they dress in dark clothes. They are not, in the town’s view, “normal” people. But according to the movie’s preconceived notion of how people are supposed to act and talk, all the high school girls that aren’t Lena are ditzy modernized Southern Belles and the adults are aggressively moralist Bible-thumpers who champion and impose upon people values that are increasingly becoming dated in a more tolerant 21st century. “Normal” is a relative term. In Beautiful Creatures it’s even more so. Even worse, the screenplay has an annoying habit of repeating the same scenes multiple times, a habit that stunts the movie’s already lifeless flow. It’s bad enough that LaGravenese inserts scenes that don’t propel the plot forward or develop the characters. He compounds the issue by writing the exact same scenes about prejudice, fate, and love at least half a dozen times without adding anything new each time. I got the point the first time. If these scenes were excised, the movie would be a more tolerable hour and a half instead of two-plus agonizingly long hours. Cinematographer Philippe Rousselot’s color palette and lighting designs are ugly. The color timing and lighting of the daylight scenes are either too harsh or too soft. Some people following the pitfalls of the digital age, when among other publicized offenses, theaters are too lazy to remove light and color-sucking 3D lenses for 2D showings, will blame the projectors. But a bad projector can’t explain the ugly monochromatic night scenes in which everything – actors, vegetation, etc. – is a hideous shade of blue. The special effects aren’t very special. (But then what passes for special in these CGI days?) In one scene, a “fight” between Lena and Ridley (Emmy Rossum) plays out at the dinner table. They both cause the table to spin and move like the Tea Cups at Disneyland. It’s both ridiculous and downright goofy. The other special effects are cheesy and perfunctory. Beautiful Creatures is annoying and shrill, a waste of the talents of a fine supporting cast (which includes Emma Thompson, Jeremy Irons, and Viola Davis) and starring leads that possess zero chemistry and star power. To say Beautiful Creatures has the fingernails on the blackboard effect would be an insult to both fingernails and blackboards. D Beautiful Creatures is now playing in wide release. A Warner Bros. Pictures release. Director: Richard LaGravenese. Screenplay: Richard LaGravenese, based on the novel Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Original Music: Thenewno2. Cinematography: Philippe Rousselot. Cast: Alden Ehrenreich, Alice Englert, Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum, Thomas Mann, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, and Margo Martindale. Running time: 124 minutes. Rated PG-13. Brian Lafferty welcomes letters at brian@eastcountymagazine.org. You can also follow him on Twitter: @BrianLaff.
SANTA ANA WINDS SWEEP INTO REGION
February 14, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Gusty northeast Santa Ana winds are forecast from tonight through Saturday afternoon. Sustained winds of 15-30 mph and gusts up to 55 mph are possible in some local mountain passes and canyons. Driving may be difficult, especially for higher-profile vehicles. Minor damage to trees and outdoor objects that are unsecured may occur.
FORECLOSURES DROP NEARLY 40% IN CALIFORNIA DUE TO NEW LAW PROTECTING HOMEOWNERS
By Miriam Raftery February 14, 2013 (San Diego) – Just in time for Valentine’s Day, here’s some news homeowners will love. In California, foreclosure filings plunged 39.5% from December to January – the first time since early 2007 that California did not have the highest foreclosure rates in the nation. Nationally, foreclosures have fallen too, though far less steeply: 11% from December to January, and 28.5% from a year ago. What’s fueling the sudden change? According to Mortgage Daily News, the state and national shifts are due to California’s new Homeowners Bill of Rights, passed by the Legislature at the request of California Attorney General Kamala Harris (in photo, left, with Governor Jerry Brown). The legislation, which took effect January 1, aimed to stop abusive lender practices. The new law has profoundly altered the U.S. foreclosure landscape, according to RealtyTrac Vice President Daren Blomquist. “Dubbed the Homeowners Bill of Rights, this legislation extends many of the principles in the national mortgage settlement – including a prohibition on so-called dual tracking and requiring a single point of contact for borrowers facing foreclosure – to all mortgage servicers operating in California,” Blomquist said, Mortgage Daily News reports. The law also imposes fines of up to $7,500 per loan for filing of multiple unverified foreclosure documents. “As a result, the downward foreclosure trend in California accelerated into hyper speed in January, decisively shifting the balance of power when it comes to the nation’s foreclosure activity,” Blomquist concludes. Read full story: http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/02142013_realty_trac_foreclosures.asp
FILNER TO NRC: RESTARTING SAN ONOFRE WOULD BE A “DANGEROUS EXPERIMENT” THREATENING 8.2 MILLION PEOPLE
February 14, 2013 (San Diego) – In a letter sent to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission on February 8, San Diego Mayor Bob Filner urged denial of Southern California Edison’s request to restart Unit 2 at the San Onofre Nuclear Generation Station for five months at 70% as a test to see if similar problems that caused failure of a steam generator at Unit 3 would occur. Mayor Filner stated bluntly, “The NRC has previously determined that both Unit 2 and Unit 3 steam generators had similar serious design flaws and errors in the computer models used for design. The restart of Unit 2, even at reduced power, is a dangerous experiment that threatens the safety of the 8.2 million Southern California residents living within a 50-mile radius, including much of San Diego.” He urged that any decision on the potential restart of Unit 2 should be preceded by a public, transparent license amendment hearing before the NRC, with sworn testimony by experts so that all impacted residents can understand the risks. The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is investigating the customer rate charges associated with the year-long shutdown of SONGS. Any decision to restart Unit 2 should consider public safety first, but also the high cost to consumers for reduced power generation of 700 mW versus the 2200 mW when SONGS was fully operative, Filner added. Attorney General Kamala Harris has filed as an intervenor in the CPUC hearing. Filner added, “And any decision to restart SONGS at any level should consider the reliability and costs compared to a future based on alternatives, including efficiency, load management, demand response, renewable energy, and energy storage.” He urge the NRC not to authorize the restart of SONGS until both a full license amendment hearing has been conducted by the NRC and the CPUC finishes its investigation.
ECM WORLD WATCH: GLOBAL AND NATIONAL NEWS
February 14, 2013 (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. REI CEO named head of Department of Interior (Sustainable Business) A Secretary to match the setting (New York Times) US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,045 (U-T San Diego) U.S. withdrawing 34,000 troops from Afghanistan within a year (Reuters) US gas prices jump 25 cents over past 2 weeks (Sacramento Bee) Mississippi tornado hits Hattiesburg, leaves no fatalities (+video) (Christian Science Monitor) Navajo, Hopi tribes struggle without water in Southwest cold snap (Reuters) Massive power outages as ‘Nemo’ storm lashes northeast (USA Today) Death By Drone, And The Sliding Scale Of Presidential Power (NPR) Solar industry grapples with hazardous wastes (Sacramento Bee) ‘Every new car’ connected to web by 2014 (BBC) WORLD Vatican announces Pope to step down by end of February (10 News) Bizarre stories of the 4 other popes who resigned in the last 1,000 years (Washington Post) Exiting U.S. general says Afghan women’s rights are key (Reuters) Pakistan Says U.S. Drone Strikes Violate Its Sovereignty (NPR) Iran’s Khamenei rebuffs U.S. offer of direct talks (Reuters) Irish marchers protest nationwide against austerity (Reuters) Exclusive: U.N. monitors see arms reaching Somalia from Yemen, Iran (Reuters) HEALTH Folic acid in pregnancy may help lower autism risk (CNN) DePuy Hip Implant Problems In San Diego (KPBS) Chain Restaurants Boost Sales With Lower-Calorie Foods (NPR) Lenses could ‘cure colour-blindness’ (BBC) Pig Manure Reveals More Reason To Worry About Antibiotics (NPR) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. U.S. REI CEO named head of Department of Interior (Sustainable Business) February 11, 2013–Although many of President Obama’s cabinet nominations are controversial, there’s one that many seem to agree is a great pick – the new Secretary of the Interior. Sally Jewell is CEO of outdoor gear manufacturer REI, and will take over for outgoing secretary, Ken Salazar. “Sally Jewell has the mind of an engineer, the heart of an environmentalist and the know-how of a businesswoman. It’s not surprising President Obama would turn to such a talented woman to balance the responsible use of America’s public lands, the protection of these resources and the wildlife that depend on them,” says Natural Resources Defense Council President Frances Beinecke. A Secretary to match the setting (New York Times) February 8, 2013–The emperor of the American outdoors usually wears a cowboy hat, for the lashing dust and searing sun in the domain of the Interior Department, one-fifth of the United States. James Watt, the most small-minded head of that agency in modern times, wore one. So did Ken Salazar, the outgoing secretary. Don’t expect to see Sally Jewell, who is President Obama’s nominee for Interior secretary, in a showy Stetson. Running shoes, yes. Climbing helmet, of course. Cycling tights, no doubt. If confirmed, Jewell would be one of the few directors of that vast department to actually share the passions of the majority of people who use the 500 million acres of public land under Interior’s control. US military deaths in Afghanistan at 2,045 (U-T San Diego) February 12, 2013–As of Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013, at least 2,045 members of the U.S. military had died in Afghanistan as a result of the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan in late 2001, according to an Associated Press count. The AP count is two less than the Defense Department’s tally, last updated Tuesday at 10 a.m. EST. At least 1,706 military service members have died in Afghanistan as a result of hostile action, according to the military’s numbers. U.S. withdrawing 34,000 troops from Afghanistan within a year (Reuters) February 13, 2013–President Barack Obama announced on Tuesday that 34,000 troops – about half the U.S. force in Afghanistan – will withdraw by early 2014, bringing the United States one step closer to wrapping up the costly, unpopular war. Obama announced the withdrawal in his annual State of the Union address, as he renewed his pledge to a war-weary American public that the 66,000 remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan would move into a support role this spring. US gas prices jump 25 cents over past 2 weeks (Sacramento Bee) February 10, 2013–The average U.S. price of a gallon of gasoline has jumped 25 cents over the past two weeks. The Lundberg Survey of fuel prices released Sunday says the price of a gallon of regular is $3.59. Midgrade costs an average of $3.75 a gallon, and premium is $3.89. Mississippi tornado hits Hattiesburg, leaves no fatalities (+video) (Christian Science Monitor) February 11, 2013–Residents shaken by a tornado that mangled homes in Mississippi were waking up Monday to a day of removing trees, patching roofs and giving thanks for their survival. More than a dozen in the state were injured. Daylight also offered emergency management officials the chance to get a better handle on the damage that stretched across several counties. Bryant planned to visit hard-hit Hattiesburg, where a twister moved along one of the city’s main streets and damaged buildings at the governor’s alma mater, the University. Emergency officials said late Sunday that at least 10 people were injured in surrounding Forrest County and three were hurt to the west in Marion County, but they weren’t aware of any deaths. Navajo, Hopi tribes struggle without water in Southwest cold snap (Reuters) February 6, 2013–Thousands of Navajo tribal members in the Southwest face a public health emergency, having struggled without drinking water for weeks after a long cold snap shattered pipes across the largest U.S. Indian reservation, Navajo officials said on Wednesday. The Navajo Nation, about the size of West Virginia, shivered as the temperature dipped to night-time lows of 25 degrees F (-4 C) over three weeks in January, leaving as many as 10,000 members without water. Massive power outages as ‘Nemo’ storm lashes northeast (USA Today) February 9, 2013–A blizzard predicted to be of epic proportions is pounding the Northeast, already bringing more than a foot of snow to some areas as 40 million residents in its path brace for the worst. As of 5:20 a.m. ET, more than 650,000 homes
EAST COUNTY ROUNDUP: TOP LOCAL AND STATE NEWS
February 14, 2013–(San Diego’s East County)–East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include: LOCAL/REGIONAL Ramona solar farm wins approval (UT San Diego) RCPG Chair says County getting mixed signals from Ramona residents on housing projects (Ramona Patch) Ruling puts SD pension overhaul in doubt (U-T San Diego) Local DMV Staffers Were Bribed $100,000 for Driver’s Licenses, Feds Say (La Mesa Patch) San Diego Hospice faces critical moment (U-T San Diego) Boxer Wants Probe Into Equipment Problems At Troubled San Onofre Nuclear Plant Helix Star RB Michael Adkins Will Play Football for the Colorado Buffaloes (La Mesa Patch) Santee Farmer’s Market to move west (Santee Patch) Council acting on well at Town Center despite other claims to water (Santee Patch) STATE Christopher Dorner’s charred body is positively identified (Los Angeles Times) Controller: California is $4.3 billion ahead of forecast in January (Sacramento Bee) Governor Brown, Republicans float proposals to change fire fees (Sacramento Bee) California Seeks To Adopt Nation’s Toughest Gun Laws (KPBS) Environmental groups, unions team up to resist CEQA push (Sacramento Bee) Many in Calif. Rely On Contaminated Water Sources (KPBS) Delta Smelt Deaths Means Less Water for Central and Southern California (KPBS) Read more for excerpts and links to full stories. LOCAL/REGIONAL Ramona solar farm wins approval (UT San Diego) February 6, 2013 –County supervisors Wednesday approved a 43-acre solar energy installation on a Ramona pig farm, rejecting opposition from neighbors who say it will be an eyesore near the heart of town. Supervisor Dianne Jacob cast the lone vote against it, saying the location at 1650 Warnock Drive was the wrong spot and that no one in town supports it. RCPG Chair says County getting mixed signals from Ramona residents on housing projects (Ramona Patch) February 8, 2013–Jim Piva said Supervisor Dianne Jacob brought up a good point in regards to the lack of opposition for Montecito Ranch compared to the enormous amount of resistance from much smaller project Cumming Ranch. The County Board of Supervisors approved of the 125-home Cumming Ranch Project last week in a unanimous vote—a project that was also unanimously approved by the Ramona Community Planning Group. Ruling puts SD pension overhaul in doubt (U-T San Diego) February 12, 2013–Former San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders violated state labor law by taking a proposed pension overhaul directly to voters rather than first negotiating the plan with employee unions, according a ruling by an administrative law judge with the Public Employment Relations Board. The long-awaited decision puts the future of Proposition B in doubt. The ballot initiative, which city voters overwhelmingly approved in June, replaced guaranteed pensions with 401(k)-style plans for most new city hires. Local DMV Staffers Were Bribed $100,000 for Driver’s Licenses, Feds Say (La Mesa Patch) February 11, 2013–El Cajon and Rancho San Diego DMV offices were involved “in the production of fraudulent driver licenses for applicants who had failed—or not taken—the required driver license tests,” FBI says. More than $100,000 in bribes were paid to DMV employees at the El Cajon and Rancho San Diego offices as part of a scheme to win fraudulent driver’s licenses, authorities said Monday. San Diego Hospice faces critical moment (U-T San Diego) February 10, 2013–When it filed for bankruptcy reorganization last week, San Diego Hospice didn’t have the optimistic outlook often associated with such filings. Rather than promise it would streamline its operations, restructure its finances and emerge stronger than before, it left that possibility very much in doubt. “It is unclear if we will have a viable organization moving forward,” said Kathleen Pacurar, the nonprofit’s chief executive officer. Boxer Wants Probe Into Equipment Problems At Troubled San Onofre Nuclear Plant (KPBS) February 6, 2013–California Sen. Barbara Boxer is pressing federal regulators to open a probe into equipment problems at the shuttered San Onofre nuclear power plant. Her letter Wednesday to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission comes as Southern California Edison is pushing a plan to restart one of the reactors. A statement says the Democrat wants the NRC to investigate what she calls new information that shows Edison and the company that built the plant’s ailing steam generators were aware of design problems before the equipment was installed. Helix Star RB Michael Adkins Will Play Football for the Colorado Buffaloes (La Mesa Patch) February 6, 2013–Saying he wants to help turn around a program that finished with only one win a year ago, Helix star running back Michael Adkins announced his college choice Wednesday at the San Diego Hall of Champions, during a National Signing Day event. The senior, with a 4.5 GPA, will be running with “Ralphie” for the next few years as a member of the University of Colorado Buffaloes. Adkins, who helped Helix win a CIF Section Champion in 2011, said that Colorado’s new coach, Mike McIntyre, was instrumental in bringing him to Boulder. When “Coach Mac” decided to leave San Jose State, where he had been recruiting Adkins, the running back decided to follow him. Santee Farmer’s Market to move west (Santee Patch) February 8, 2013–Next Wednesday’s Santee Farmers’ Market will be the last time they set up at the usual location on Mission Gorge Road- starting February 20 the local farmers’ market will be held in the Pathways Church parking lot at the corner of Mast and Carlton Hills Boulevards. The market will be open the same day and time as always, 3-7 p.m. every Wednesday, rain or shine. According to Market Manager Andrea Hankins, the move is necessary because the owner of the property on Mission Gorge Road that the market currently uses, the Santee School District, has leased the land. She said the market wouldn’t have been forced out until the end of 2013, but she would rather get it going in a new location during the spring. Council acting on well at Town Center despite other claims to water (Santee Patch) February 4, 2013–The Santee City Council voted at the last meeting to begin obtaining proposals for a project to construct a water well that would help save on costs of irrigating Town Center Park. The council gave the go-ahead while acknowledging that the City
OSCAR® EXPERIENCE VIEWING PARTY IN SAN DIEGO FEB. 24: BENEFITS COMMUNITY CAMPERSHIP COUNCIL INC.
February 14, 2013 (San Diego) –The excitement and glamour of Hollywood are coming to San Diego on Oscar Night. Residents of San Diego can experience the thrills and surprises of the 85th Academy Awards on Sunday, February 24, at San Diego’s premier Oscar Experience. A viewing party benefiting Community Campership Council Inc will be held in Celebration Hall at Market Creek Events & Venues beginning at 5:00 p.m. More information about the event and the Community Campership Council can be found at www.kidstocamp.org; tickets are on sale. The San Diego event is one of 46 parties officially sanctioned by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that will be held across the country on Oscar Night. This is the 20th year that the Academy and ABC have cooperated with local charities to support official Oscar Night viewing parties throughout the country and the third year that the Community Campership Council event has been designated as the only official Oscar experience in San Diego. Oscar Night parties last year raised more than $3.15 million in 49 cities and locally proceeds funded a camp experience for 107 San Diego children. This year marks the 24th year that the Community Campership Council has held an Academy Awards Viewing Party. The event audience will watch the Academy Awards telecast live courtesy of ABC10/ 10News & Azteca San Diego 15 which broadcasts the Academy Awards presentation. “Oscar Sunday is an event meant to be shared with others. This network of fundraising parties across the nation is just that: a shared experience. These gatherings also represent the year-round philanthropic work the Academy does,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “This February we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the movies with fans nationwide while supporting charities around the country.” “Our guests will feel like they are on the A-list, as they walk down the red carpet through a throng of autograph seekers into Celebration Hall,” said co-chair Kathy Anderson. “They will be greeted with a glass of champagne, dine on a sumptuous meal, predict the winners, have a photo taken and bid on silent auction items. The same official program distributed to guests at the Oscar presentation at the Dolby™ Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood will be available at our event.” “Oscar Night generates excitement all over the world,” stated Judi Spuris co-chair of the San Diego event. “We appreciate the opportunity provided to us by the Academy to utilize this event to raise money to fund nature based camp experiences that enrich the lives of culturally and economically diverse San Diego Youth.”