SNOW FORECAST FOR MOUNTAIN PEAKS, RAIN TO SOAK REGION
By Miriam Raftery December 15, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)–A dip in the jet stream along the West Coast is bringing more wet weather starting Monday night through early Thursday this week. The heaviest rain will be Tuesday morning and again Wednesday morning, with thunderstorms possible on Wednesday, the National Weather Service predicts. Snow is forecast to fall in the mountains, with snow levels falling as low as 4500 feet by Wednesday. A total of 6-12 inches could pile up above 5500 feet by Wednesday night, which includes Mount Laguna here in East County. If the cool weather holds, some local mountain residents could have a White Christmas. You can monitor hazards through the National Weather Service at http://weather.gov/sandiego and on your mobile device at http://mobile.weather.gov .
PHOTO OF THE MONTH: GUESS WHAT’S SPOTTED IN DESCANSO?
December 15, 2014 (Descanso) – “Descanso reader Duncan McFetridge was surprised to find an unusual visitor nestled down in his kitchen during this week’s storm: a spotted skunk, who didn’t mind sharing the space with a couple of housecats, McFetridge adds.
READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: FROM DECEMBER 15, 2014
For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org Readers December 17 (Wednesday, 7:00 to 8:45 pm) — Featured Poets and Open Mic) at the monthly New Alchemy Poetry Series. Featured poet Jackleen Holton & Ron Salisbury. Free parking behind Harbor House Restaurant after 6 pm. Upstart Crow Bookstore and Coffeehouse, 835 W. Harbor Drive, Suite C, San Diego; (619) 232-4855; http://www.upstartcrowtrading.com. December 18 (Thursday, 6:00 pm) — Author Captain Luis Carlos Montalvain signs and talks about his book, Until Tuesday, at the San Diego Central Library, 330 Park Blvd., San Diego. December 20 (Saturay, 5:30 pm) — Author Robert Burns signs and talks about his book, Affairs of the Heart & Soul: A Poetic Biography. Celtic Corner, 916 Orange Ave., Coronado. December 21 (Sunday, 7:00 pm) — Warwick’s and Words Alive present Cary Elwes in conversation to discuss his new book, As You Wish, the behind-the-scenes account about the making of The Princess Bride. The event will be held at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, The Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037. This is an OFFSITE ticketed event, and a copy of the book is included. Tickets can be purchased here. Check-in and doors open at 2:15PM and seating is first-come first-served. From actor Cary Elwes, who played the iconic role of Westley in The Princess Bride, comes a first-person account and behind-the-scenes look at the making of the cult classic film filled with never-before-told stories, exclusive photographs, and interviews with costars Robin Wright, Wallace Shawn, Billy Crystal, Christopher Guest, and Mandy Patinkin, as well as author and screenwriter William Goldman, producer Norman Lear, and director Rob Reiner. The Princess Bride has been a family favorite for close to three decades. Ranked by the American Film Institute as one of the top 100 Greatest Love Stories and by the Writers Guild of America as one of the top 100 screenplays of all time, The Princess Bride will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come. Cary Elwes was inspired to share his memories and give fans an unprecedented look into the creation of the film while participating in the twenty-fifth anniversary cast reunion. In As You Wish he has created an enchanting experience; in addition to never-before seen photos and interviews with his fellow cast mates, there are plenty of set secrets and backstage stories. With a foreword by Rob Reiner and a limited edition original poster by acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey, As You Wish is a must-have for all fans of this beloved film. For more information regarding the event, please contact Warwick’s Books | 7812 Girard Avenue | La Jolla, Ca | 92037 | Ph. (858) 454-0347 | http://www.warwicks.com | December 24 Wednesday, 7:00 pm) — Christian Writers Festival featuring authors who sign and talk about their books: Ray Bentley, The Hoy Land Key; Joanne Bischof, The Cadence of Grace, series; Martha Gorris, War of Whispers; Sally John, Between Us Girls; Christa Kinde, The Blue Door; Susan Meissner, The Amish Groom; Beverly Nault, Spring Blossoms; Diana W. Taylor, Ruth other of Kings;and Sandra Esch, Tracks in the Snow. Barnes & Noble, 10775 Westview Parkway, San Diego. Writers Workshops, Classes, Seminars, Book Festivals, Contests and Authors Exhibits http://www.SDWriteWay.org * * * * Classes & Events for Writers Ink: http://www.sandiegowriters.org. * * * * December 16 Monday) — Soul Collage and Journaling: The Four Suits with Mary Lee Moser. In this class, the focus will be on learning the value of organizing our collage cards into four or more “suits”, as developed by Seena Frost, the founder of SoulCollage®. Prior knowledge of SoulCollage® is helpful, but not necessary. Beginners may visit http://www.soulcollage.com for general information before attending class. Please feel free to bring pictures or magazines to use or share. First class in a series of 6! Take one or all of them. For additional classes, go to: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/programs/classes8/. December 17 (Wednesday, 6:30 pm) – San Diego Writers/Editors Guild Holiday Party for members and their guest. For additional information, go to: http://www.SDWritersGuild.org. January 16 (Friday) — Dave Feldman and Lola Sparrowhawk will teach a four-week class on beginning creative writing, at OASIS at Macy’s Mission. For additional classes, go to: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/programs/classes8/. January 23-25 (Friday thru Sunday) — SDSU Writers Conference: Early-Bird special pricing: Registration fee of $399 until January 6, 2015. January 26 (Monday, 6:30 pm) — At the every 4th Monday meeting of the San Diego Writers/Editors Guild, Kathy Diamant, author, PBS moderator, and SDSU Osher instructor will discuss Giving and Receiving Critiques. Summer 2015 – Will you be ready for the next Open Mic night? A $5 donation from non-members is recommended. For additional information, go to: http://sdwritersguild.org/. February 13 – 15, Friday thru Sunday) — Mission Trails Regional Park Announces Kumeyaay Lake Poetry Campout with Poet Jim Moreno. Family Friendly- No Alcohol or Drugs. The event is limited to 12 participants, first come first served. The Valentine’s Day Weekend” workshop will blend writing time for beginning to seasoned poets in four structured writing workshops. Star Gazing with the San Diego Astronomy Association, a Guided Nature Walk, and a Saturday Sunset Open Mic for campout poets and community at the Kumeyaay Lake amphitheater are blended with poetry events. $100 plus camping fees. 6 poets per campsite. Sign up at https://activenet020.active.com/sdparkandrec/. Information: (619) 668- 2748 or (760) 802-2449. February 13 (Friday) — Caroline McCullagh will be continuing her eight-week course of writing classes at OASIS. for more information. For additional classes, Call (619) 574-0674 or go to: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/programs/classes8/. February 24-26 (Tuesday thru Thursday) — Symposium by the Sea 2015, held by Point Loma Nazarene University. For additional classes, go to: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/programs/classes8/. LOCAL AUTHORS BOOKSTORE http://www.SDLocalAuthorsBookstore.org The cost of having your book featured in the Local Authors Bookstore, and linked to Amazon for sales has been temporally lowered. NOW Only $9.95 for over one year. * * * * LOCAL BOOK OF THE WEEK: DOWN SOLO by Earl Javorsky: Charlie Miner wakes up
HUNTER ACTION TO TRANSFER MOUNT SOLEDAD CROSS TO PRIVATE GROUP PASSES CONGRESS
December 14, 2014 (San Diego) – Language added to the Defense Authorization Act by San Diego Congressman Duncan Hunter would transfer the Mount Soledad cross to a private war memorial organization. Congress passed the bill on Friday and it is now awaiting signature by President Barack Obama. A federal appellate court ruled that the towering cross on federal land favored one religion over others, violating the Constitution. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear the case and a district judge in San Diego ordered that the cross be removed, leaving transfer to private ownership as the only means to save the 43-foot-tall cross. Under the bill’s provisions, the Mount Soledad Memorial Association will purchase the property for its appraised value and keep it in perpetuity as a war memorial. The Association has stated that is raising funds to pay for the purchase, City News Service reports.
SAVE WATER: TURN OFF IRRIGATION AFTER RAINS
Source: County News Service December 14, 2014 (San Diego)–It’s the time of year when San Diego County gets most of its rainfall – and this winter it’s more important than ever to take advantage of every drop that Mother Nature delivers to us. The County is asking residents and businesses to turn off your irrigation systems and leave them off for up to two weeks after storms that provide significant rainfall. A few rainy days can provide enough water for lawns to survive for long stretches without irrigation, and they provide a valuable chance to save stored water supplies for next summer when water reserves will be even more important to help our region withstand drought conditions. After three straight dry years, the San Diego County Water Authority has declared a Drought Alert condition, and mandatory water conservation measures are in place countywide. For details about restrictions in different communities, go to WhenInDrought.org. Mark Weston, chair of the Water Authority’s Board of Directors, says, “Widespread efforts to decrease irrigation following storms can save large volumes of water and help minimize the impact of any water supply reductions in 2015.” Outdoor watering accounts for more than half of a typical household’s water use in California, and it has become a focal point for water conservation as the drought extends into a fourth consecutive year. Jeff Stephenson, a principal water resources specialist for the Water Authority, says that after a storm, “do not begin watering again until the top one to two inches of soil are dry. Lawns that lose their lush green luster will rejuvenate with the next rain.”