ENGLISH HIGH TEA AMID LAVENDER BLOOMS
June 28, 2013 – Keys Creek Lavender Farm is holding English High Teas on June 29, July 12 and 13. The teas begin at 2 p.m. and feature 3 courses, including appetizers, sandwiches and petite sweets. All courses are served with an assortment of rich flavored teas. Tickets are $35 per person and can be purchased here.
HIKE WITH THE WINEMAKER JUNE 29
June 28, 2013 (Ramona) – Join Jim, Milagro Farms winemaker, on June 29 at 4 p.m. for a guided hike around Milagro Farm Vineyards & Winery’s 20 acres of grapes. This is a moderately strenuous hike and will finish at the tasting room with a private tasting. Tickets are $10 per person or free with a bottle purchase. RSVP to Audrey@milagrofarmwinery.com. The winery is located at 18750 Littlepage Road, Ramona.
ON THE SILVER SCREEN: BLOODLUST (BYZANTIUM)
By Brian Lafferty June 28, 2013 (San Diego) – Neil Jordan’s Byzantium is cinema’s best answer to the Twilight series since Tomas Alfredson’s Swedish vampire masterpiece Let the Right One In (not counting Matt Reeves’ equally crafted American remake Let Me In). It takes the now all-too-familiar forbidden vampire-mortal love story and breathes into it an intoxicating mix of realism, atmosphere, and wicked sexiness. Saoirse Ronan (The Lovely Bones) and Gemma Arterton are Eleanor and Clara, vampires on the run from mysterious men in business suits hunting them down for reasons that are slowly spelled out in flashbacks. They settle into a run-down coastal town rife with teenage prostitution and druggies. Clara, a prostitute herself, runs a brothel at her newest lover’s (Daniel Mays) ramshackle hotel. Eleanor, a teenager, meets and falls in love with the frequently ill Frank (Caleb Landry Jones). The feeling is mutual, but Eleanor is burdened by her secret, which Clara orders her to keep lest she have to kill to protect their identities. Jordan’s second vampire movie – he helmed Interview with the Vampire almost twenty years ago – is rated R, but it offers an infinitely more meaningful and satisfying cinematic experience for teenagers than Twilight. A mitigating factor in my abandonment of the franchise after the second film was the relationship between Bella and Edward. Imagine a film shrouded in moody surroundings and menacing darkness, yet driven by a relationship as realistic, treacly, and unintentionally funny as Silver Spoons and other squeaky clean 1980s sitcoms. I remember when I experienced the feelings of love for the first time as a teenager. It hit me like a shot. My hormones raged and battered my last remaining vestiges of childhood innocence not unlike a tsunami pounds a dying seaside village. I didn’t know what to do, how to act, or how to keep these new feelings in check. Somehow, I learned. It wasn’t easy, though. Now get an image of those torrents of emotions in your mind. Now imagine the person experiencing these feelings is a vampire who is doomed to eternal life and cannot tell anyone her secret. The other person is a teenage boy constantly sick, has never had anyone, and at times would rather be dead. When all of that is factored in, the resultant mental picture precisely describes the feelings these characters encounter in both each other and themselves. Their chemistry is a teenage fantasy of sorts, but the big difference here is it’s dark, twisted, and mature. For the adult crowd, Jordan and writer Moira Buffini apply a thick layer of eroticism. Gemma Arterton is an actress I wouldn’t necessarily expect to play a seductress with such a violent and kinky streak. Her eyes and lips are magnets; I couldn’t look away. Her voice is as temptingly seductive as a Siren. Even when she walks, it’s an invitation to leer because the way she moves her body – even in little ways – is so damn alluring. It’s no wonder she’s able to easily pick off men one by one. Neil Jordan’s use of blood is yet another ingredient in a compelling cinematic mixture. Less than ten minutes in or so, Clara is chased down by a mysterious man in a business suit. She takes him to her hotel room. She seduces the man, employing sultry body movements and her aforementioned soft, tempting voice to put him at ease. Then she decapitates him. The look on Eleanor’s face as Frank bleeds profusely from his wrist following a bike crash is haunting. After seeing nobody’s watching, she dabs a bit of the blood on her finger, then eats it. She relishes it but feels a little guilty. Filmed mostly at night, Sean Bobbitt’s photography is both something out of a dream and something out of a nightmare. The cool colors and soft shadowy lighting perfectly complement the eroticism, never overpowering it. Byzantium is a vampire movie, but the potent, mesmerizing, enveloping spell it casts is straight out of witchcraft. This is not the first Neil Jordan film that’s had this kind of effect on me. The Crying Game, one of my absolute all-time favorites, was gripping from end to end (even though I knew the big secret beforehand). It began as a hostage film, evolved into a most unusual love story, before finally turning into a political thriller. Ondine, a tale of a mysterious woman rescued by an Irish fisherman (Colin Farrell) who may be a Selkie (a mythical shapeshifter in Irish folklore that takes the form of a seal in water and human on land). It was one of the highlights of 2010. I don’t say this about just any filmmaker I like, but I say it here because this guy is a special talent: I will now watch anything Neil Jordan makes without hesitation. A- Byzantium is now playing at the Landmark Hillcrest. An IFC Films release. Director: Neil Jordan. Screenplay: Moira Buffini. Original Music: Javier Navarrete. Cinematography: Sean Bobbitt. Cast: Saoirse Ronan, Gemma Arterton, Sam Riley, Jonny Lee Miller, Daniel Mays, and Caleb Landry Jones. Runtime: 118 minutes. Rated R. Brian Lafferty welcomes letters at brian@eastcountymagazine.org. You can also follow him on Twitter: @BrianLaff.
PHOTO OF THE WEEK: MOUNTAIN MAGIC
June 28, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – Lighting can transform a scene into a magical display. Milt Cyphert captured one of those golden magic moments with this photo, taken at a Laguna Mountain meadow.
IMMIGRATION BILL PASSES U.S. SENATE WITH LARGE MAJORITY, FACES BATTLE IN HOUSE
By Nadin Abbott June 27, 2013 (San Diego)—The United States Senate passed a comprehensive immigration bill today with 68 Senators voting for it, and 32 Senators voting against it. In addition to citizenship for some undocumented immigrants and other provisions, the bill contains many provisions that would impact many in East County, including businesses, agriculture, and bolstering medical personnel. It also calls for a border security “surge” including hundreds of miles of new border fencing and 18,000 additional federal agents on the U.S.-Mexico border. Former Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who supports the bill, said it would create “the most militarized border since the fall of the Berlin Wall.” The measure faces stiff opposition from House Republicans. Speaker John Boehner has said that this bill will not come before the House, and that the House of Representatives will come up with its own bill with even stronger border protection measures. California Senators Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein, both Democrats, voted in favor. Estela de los Rios, immigrant rights leader in El Cajon, praised the Senate’s passage of the bill as as “a good outcome” from a human rights standpoint but added that for those committed to justice and human rights, there is still a lot of work to do. But De los Rios called the dramatic increase in border security the bill calls for “a waste of taxpayer’s money.” She believes that the billions of dollars that will go to this, should go to social services, education and healthcare. “It is about the economy,” she added. “We have enough border security.” She also said the measure is not comprehensive enough in meeting needs of all minorities. De los Rios told ECM that last week she had five legislative visits with all five members of San Diego’s House delegation in Washington DC. She also met with the Republican Caucus, which is chiefly concerned with border security. Del Rios also made an observation not uncommon among political observers. The Republican House has a great divide between the Tea Party and more moderate Republicans. She predicted Speaker Boehner will not have an easy time trying to forge an alternative bill. What the immigration measure would do The Bill, S744, has among other things added a pathway to citizenship for 11 million immigrants who presently have no way to qualify for citizenship. It is not an easy path. It creates a new category of Alien, Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI). People in this category would remain such for at least 10 years, before they can apply to Permanent Resident Status (green card). A resident will be able to apply to citizenship only after three years of being a legal resident, for a total of 13 years in the U.S. For Dream Act children of undocumented immigrations, the bill shortens the process to five years as an RPI, as long as the Dreamer “was younger than 16 years of age when such person entered the United States; (3) has earned a high school diploma or obtained a general education development certificate in the United States; (4) has acquired a degree from an institution of higher education or has completed at least two years in a program for a bachelor’s or higher degree in the United States, or has served in the Uniformed Services for at least four years and, if discharged, received an honorable discharge; and (5) has provided a list of each secondary school attended in the United States.” http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d113:SN00744:@@@D&summ2=m& These are other sections in the Bill that are of interest to East County residents and employers, involving both E-Verify and agricultural workers. E-Verify is a program set by the federal government that establishes the ability of employers to send for verification of migratory status for all employees from the federal government using an internet connection. The program has been found to have false positives, and can cost an employee, even a U.S. Citizen, their ability to work until migratory status is proven. A 2011 GAO report for example found the following: “The report stated that the system had problems with workers whose names are recorded “differently on various authorizing documents.” Whenever names are listed differently on databases and documents (such as misspellings and including or excluding initials), E-Verify will issue tentative non-confirmations (TNCs) automatically. While many TNCs can be cleared up in a matter of days, according to GAO researchers, some errors persist and force employers to not hire or to discharge workers who are eligible to work in the United States.” http://www.shrm.org/publications/hrnews/pages/everifyerrorspersist.aspx The bill also establishes the Office of the Small Businesses and Employee Advocate. The goal of this office is to help small business to comply with Immigration requirements. Businesses that make an immigration error in good faith will have ways to clear themselves, and business will have to keep records. San Diego’s East County is also considered a medically underserved area according to the State of California. The new Immigration Bill makes the J-1 Visa Waiver permanent. This allows for foreign trained physicians to come to the United States as immigrants, and go work in these areas. This potentially will increase access to medical care locally. Another part of the bill allows for the non-immigrant status of foreign trained registered nurses. http://gis.oshpd.ca.gov/atlas/topics/shortage/mua/san%20diego%20service%20area As far as our local immigrant communities, the bill ends the preferential treatment of Vietnamese who were children of U.S. Soldiers due to the Vietnam War, but it continues the preferential treatment of both Iraqi and Afghan immigrants. All these communities are well represented in the East County. The Senate’s bill also establishes a skills points immigration system for the United States and essentially ends the diversity immigration system that has dominated Immigration policy for a few decades. This becomes effective on October 1st, 2014. For those of us who are now citizens, it also removes the ability to request brothers or sisters. The skills set immigration concentrates on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics skill sets, otherwise known as STEM. It also sets “a nonimmigrant H-1B visa (specialty
HEAT WARNING: TEMPERATURES COULD HIT RECORDS; 122 DEGREES FORECAST FOR DESERTS
June 27, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – The National Weather Service has issued an excessive heat warning for our region, with record high temperatures possible. Extremely hot weather is forecast Friday through Sunday, with temperatures reaching 116 to 122 in the lower deserts and 110 in the upper desert areas. In the mountains and foothills, temperatures could hit 100 to 105, Hot temperatures will continue Monday and Tuesday, though slightly cooler than the weekend. Temperatures at this extreme may cause heat-related illness or death. If working or involved in recreational activities outdoors, schedule frequent rest breaks in shade or air-conditioned areas. Know the signs and symptoms of heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses. Heat stroke is an emergency; call 911. Anyone thought to be suffering from a heat-related illnesses should be moved to a shaded, cool area while awaiting help. For more information, see http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heat-stroke/DS01025/DSECTION=symptoms
ELEVATED FIRE RESTRICTIONS IN CLEVELAND NATIONAL FOREST
June 26, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)—Effective June 28, 2013 at 6:00 a.m., fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest will be moved to the “Elevated” level. The increase in fire restrictions is due to dryer fuel conditions, higher temperatures, and the likelihood of small fires becoming larger fires. The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires during high fire danger. Fire restrictions impose limitations on forest users and are implemented only as deemed necessary to help prevent wildfires. Under Elevated fire restrictions, the Forest Service restricts the conduct of activities that have historically caused wildfire starts on the Forest. See list of Elevated Fire Restrictions. Additionally, the Forest may close some areas within the Forest that are especially prone to the ignition of wildfires. The Cleveland National Forest fire restriction system works in conjunction with the daily Fire Danger Rating System, commonly referred to as the “Smokey Bear fire danger level.” The Fire Danger Rating System is a scientific calculation that takes into account several factors such as fuels conditions, expected weather effects on fuels, burning indices, live fuel moistures, and energy release component calculations, to establish the likelihood of a fire starting within a 24 hour period. The use of fireworks is NEVER allowed on the Cleveland National Forest! “When you see a Smokey Bear sign that states the “Fire Danger Today is Very High,” you need to know that the likelihood of a wildfire starting, and then quickly developing into a large fire is a strong possibility,” stated Carlton Joseph, Fire Chief for the Cleveland National Forest. “The public needs to be extremely careful when recreating within the Forest during periods of high, very high and extreme fire danger.” The fire restrictions level are posted on the Cleveland National Forest web site at http://www.fs.usda.gov/cleveland. Contact your closest Forest Service office to find out the current information concerning fire danger across the Forest, and the level of fire restrictions currently in affect before you head into the Forest. “Know before you go!” · District offices are open Monday through Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30PM. · For the Cleveland National Forest Supervisor’s Office call (858) 673-6180. · For Alpine, Descanso, and Laguna Mountain areas contact the Descanso Ranger District at (619) 445-6235. · For Palomar Mountain, Henshaw, Ramona, Temecula Valley and Oak Grove areas contact the Palomar Ranger District at (760) 788-0250. · For the Ortega Hwy area, San Mateo, Orange County and Corona areas contact the Trabuco Ranger District at (951) 736-1811. -CNF- Cleveland National Forest Elevated Fire Restrictions 1. Fireworks are never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest. 2. Spark arresters are required for all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion equipment. 3. Welding, grinding, cutting, the use of explosives, and other activities requiring a special use authorization may be restricted. 4. No wood or charcoal fires are allowed except in identified developed campgrounds and developed picnic areas within designated fire rings. a. Identified campground and picnic areas where wood or charcoal fires are allowed: i. Descanso Ranger District 1. Burnt Rancheria Campground 2. El Prado Group Site 3. Horse Heaven Group Site 4. Laguna Campground 5. Wooded Hill Group Site 6. Boulder Oaks Campground 7. Cibbets Flats Campground 8. Desert View Picnic Area 9. Pioneer Mail Picnic Area ii. On the Palomar Ranger District 1. Crestline Group Site 2. Fry Creek Campground 3. Oak Grove Campground 4. Observatory Campground 5. Dripping Springs Campground 6. Indian Flats Campground 7. San Luis Rey Picnic Area (no campfires/grills only) 8. Inaja Memorial Picnic Area (no campfires/grills only) iii. On the Trabuco Ranger District 1. All campground and picnic areas are open except for the Wildomar Campground, when the Wildomar Off-road Vehicle (OHV) area is closed. 5. The use of gas and liquid stoves and lanterns, and jelly petroleum stoves are allowed in all areas of the Cleveland National Forest except for the San Mateo Canyon Wilderness on the Trabuco Ranger District. 6. Discharge of firearms is prohibited on the Forest except for the purpose of hunting during the designated hunting season as established by the California Department of Fish and Game. Target shooting is not allowed on the Forest. 7. Discharging a firearm using the following ammunition is never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest, this includes hunting seasons: steel core ammunition, armor piercing ammunition, and tracer ammunition. 8. Smoking is prohibited within the Forest boundary, except within an enclosed vehicle or building or within a Developed Recreation Site.
SOMALI-AMERICAN CULTURAL FEST JUNE 29 IN CITY HEIGHTS
June 26, 2013 (San Diego) – Commemorating the 53rd anniversary of Somali independence, the 9th annual Somali American Cultural Fest will be held on Saturday, June 29 from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Market Creek Plaza at Jacob Center in City Heights, 3- 8 p.m. Thousands of Somali refugees and immigrants now call San Diego home. The event will feature music, dance, poetry, a fashion show, children’s activities, food and vendor booths as well as free health screenings. The event is organized by Somali Youth United.
AZTECS ANNOUNCE PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE FOR FOOTBALL SEASON
Highlight is KGB Sky Show August 31 By Go Aztecs, SDSU June 27, 2013 (San Diego)–The San Diego State athletic department has announced the 2013 promotional and giveaway schedule for the defending Mountain West championship football program’s six home games. In addition hosting the two other teams that tied for the conference title in Boise State and Fresno State, the Aztecs also entertain an Oregon State team that finished last year ranked in the top 25. Leading the list of promotions is the annual KGB SkyShow following the season-opening game against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 31. The largest fireworks show in the area, SkyShow annually attracts a crowd of more than 50,000 fans, including last season when 50,586 watched SDSU defeat Hawai’i, 52-14. Season giveaways Among the premium giveaways this season is a “We Are Aztecs” t-shirt presented to the first 30,000 fans, courtesy of Associated Students, as part of the “Black Out” theme for the contest against Oregon State on Sept. 21. Another fan favorite will be on Friday, Oct. 4, when the first 30,000 fans will receive an Aztec black baseball hat, courtesy of Associated Students. That day, SDSU will play host to Nevada on ESPN, marking the first time San Diego State has appeared on the network for a regular season home game since 1999. A full list of all of the giveaways throughout the season is listed below. The 2013 season The Aztecs return 17 starters off a 2012 squad that finished 9-4 overall, 7-1 in Mountain West play, claimed the 19th conference championship in school history and advanced to a school-record third consecutive bowl game. SDSU ended the campaign by winning its final seven regular season games. San Diego State is accepting new account deposits on 2013 season tickets through the Aztec Ticket Office. The home schedule includes games against co-league champions Boise State and Fresno State, as well as a marquee matchup against Alamo Bowl participant Oregon State. The Aztecs also play host to Eastern Illinois, Nevada and New Mexico. Fans can purchase tickets through GoAztecs.com, over the phone by calling (619) 283-7378, or by visiting Qualcomm Stadium’s Window E between 9 a.m. PT and 5 p.m. PT. Saturday, Aug. 31 vs. Eastern Illinois, 5 p.m. KGB SkyShow / SDSU Welcome Week Student Tailgate The largest fireworks show in Southern California and the largest student tailgate around are both part of the festivities as San Diego State opens the 2013 campaign. The legendary fireworks show follows the season opening game against Eastern Illinois on Aug. 31. Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Oregon State, 4:30 p.m. Black Out T-Shirt Giveaway (first 30,000 fans; courtesy Associated Students) / Band Night / Family Weekend A Black Out is in full effect as the Aztecs welcome the Beavers to town for the first time in 41 years. The black t-shirt features the official 2013 athletic department slogan, “We Are Aztecs”, complete with the spear and the new logo. Friday, Oct. 4 vs. Nevada, 6 p.m. GEICO Fleet Week Classic / Aztec Baseball Hat Giveaway (first 30,000 fans; courtesy Associated Students) Back by popular demand is the Aztec Baseball Hat Giveaway. One of the most popular giveaways from last season, this year’s hat features the updated logo on a black hat. Additionally, the game doubles as the GEICO Fleet Week Classic with military events scheduled throughout the day to honor the men and women in the service academies. Saturday, Oct. 26 vs. Fresno State, TBD Homecoming / Pregame Carnival Two of the three teams that tied atop the Mountain West standings last season meet in the game to decide the “Battle of the Oil Can.” In addition to the homecoming festivities, there will be a pregame carnival in the parking lot at Qualcomm Stadium featuring carnival rides, entertainment and food. The carnival is open to the public and will have something for fans of all ages. Saturday, Nov. 2 vs. New Mexico, TBD Hall of Fame Weekend / Going to College Fair San Diego State welcomes its newest class of Hall of Fame members during the game and prior to the contest area high school and middle school students will have an opportunity to receive information on attending college in the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot. The college fair is open to all in attendance. Saturday, Nov. 23 vs. Boise State, 7:30 p.m. Senior Night / Cheer and Dance Clinic Two teams that tied for the conference title in 2012 meet in the Aztecs’ final home game of the season. San Diego State will say goodbye to one of its winningest football classes in school history in a showdown with Boise State. Participants can attend a four-hour clinic and learn a routine taught by the SDSU Cheer Squad and Dance Team during the day, and then perform alongside them on the field at halftime of the Aztec Football game vs. Boise State on November 23.
HAVE A SAFE 4TH OF JULY
More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year; fireworks also cause many serious injuries each July With the Fourth of July approaching, the Sheriff’s Bomb/Arson Unit reminds San Diegans that it’s illegal to possess and use fireworks in the county. It’s also illegal to transport fireworks from elsewhere into San Diego County or to make homemade fireworks or explosives. Under California law, illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other items that explode, go up in the air, or move across the ground in an uncontrollable fashion. Those convicted can be fined up to $50,000 and sent to prison or jail for up to one year. A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission shows 200 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the 4th of July holiday. Fireworks can cause burns, lacerations, amputations and blindness. Sparklers can burn at a temperature hot enough to melt gold. The National Fire Protection Association says more fires are reported on July 4th than any other day of the year. Dry conditions elevate the risk that even small sparks created by fireworks can lead to grass and brush fires, which can rapidly spread. Leave fireworks to the professionals. After the fireworks display, children should never pick up fireworks that may be left over, they may still be active.