HIT AND RUN DRIVER SOUGHT IN PEDESTRIAN FATALITY IN SPRING VALLEY IN EARLY HOURS OF NEW YEAR
By Miriam Raftery January 3, 2017 (Spring Valley) — California Highway Patrol seeks public help to identify motorist who struck and killed a pedestrian on eastbound State Route 94 just east of Kenwood Drive in Spring Valley around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, January 1st, then fled the scene. There is no description of the hit and run vehicle. The man who was fatally struck down had just exited a gray Nissan Sentra that had pulled over and stopped in the center divider. After an argument with a passenger, 21, from Spring Valley, the Nissan’s driver exited the vehicle and started running in the #1 lane when he was struck. The pedestrian died at the scene due to his injuries. If you have any information on the hit-and-run driver or vehicle, please call Officer Kevin Pearlstein at (619)401-2000.
NEW YEAR’S DAY BEGAN WITH PRAYER AT MOUNT HELIX PARK AMPHITHEATER
East County News Service January 3, 2017 (La Mesa) – About 100 people gathered on New Year’s Day afternoon at Mount Helix Park Amphitheater for a “Prayer Summit,” hosted by Unite San Diego, an East County-based coalition of pastors, elected officials, business owners and community leaders. The program consisted of brief remarks from an elected official followed by a local pastor who prayed for them, including: El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells and Chris Leeper of New Beginnings Church; State Senator Joel Anderson and Barry Sappington of Crosspointe Life Church; Santee city council member Ronn Hall and Jerry Phillips of Scripture is Alive Church. Other speakers included: David Mijashiro, superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, who was prayed for by Ron Wade of Church of Compassion; El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis, who was prayed for by Rolland Slade of Meridian Baptist Church; George Runyan, founder and director, San Diego City Church Ministries, who was prayed for by Pastor Sean Beaudoin of Amazing Grace Church. “This was our fourth year to start the year off right with prayer and seeking the face of God,” said Michael Griffiths, director, Unite San Diego. “Our theme was `Christ our Peace,” and our vision was `No More Barriers.’” Many attendees were members of churches where the pastors serve, he said. In his remarks, Wells said, “Last year we prayed that El Cajon would become known in the world for our faith, but we did not anticipate how God would answer that prayer.” The city drew worldwide attention in the days following Sept. 27, when El Cajon police shot and killed Alfred Olango, an unarmed 28-year-old refugee from the Uganda, who reportedly took a shooting stance while holding an object during a confrontation with officers in a shopping center parking lot near Broadway and Mollison Avenue. The incident sparked race riots as Olango became the latest unarmed black man to be shot by law enforcement in a series of similar shootings across the nation. It also led to an intervention from local pastors who organized prayer vigils. One such prayer meeting held at the El Cajon Police Department headquarters drew a diverse group of about 50 people, including African-American pastors, Middle Eastern pastors and members from churches representing many denominations.
HINDUS SEEK DIWALI HOLIDAY IN ALL CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICTS
East County News Service January 3, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Hindus are urging all 1,025 public school districts of California to declare official holiday on Diwali, the most popular of their festivals. They are also urging California’s all 1,222 charter schools, all about 3,170 private schools and all independent schools also to adopt Diwali as an official holiday on their 2017-2018 school year calendars. Diwali, the festival of lights, aims at dispelling the darkness and lighting up lives, symbolizing victory of good over evil. Besides Hindus; Sikhs,Jains and some Buddhists also celebrate Diwali, which falls on October 19 in 2017. Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement today, pointed out that it would be a step in the positive direction in view of presence of a substantial number of Hindu students at schools around the state, as it was important to meet the religious and spiritual needs of these pupils. Some school districts in New York, New Jersey and Maryland had reportedly already declared Diwali as a holiday. Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, indicated that schools should make efforts to accommodate the religious requirements of Hindu students and show respect to their faith by not conducting regular business and scheduling classes on Diwali. We did not want our students to be put at an unnecessary disadvantage for missing tests/examinations/papers, assignments, class work, etc.; by taking a day-off to observe Diwali. If California schools stayed closed on other religious holidays, why not Diwali, Rajan Zed asked. Holidays of all major religions should be honored and no one should be penalized for practicing their religion, Zed added Zed suggested all California schools to seriously look into declaring Diwali as an official holiday, thus recognizing the intersection of spirituality and education. Zed noted that awareness about other religions thus created by such holidays like Diwali would make California students well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of tomorrow. Rajan Zed urged California Governor Edmund Gerald Brown Jr., California State Board of Education President Dr. Michael Kirst, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, California School Boards Association CEO Vernon M. Billy, California Charter Schools Association President Jed Wallace, California Association of Private School Organizations President Kevin Baxter, and California Association of Independent Schools Executive Director James McManus to work towards adding Diwali as an official holiday in all the public, charter, private and independent schools of the state. Zed further says that Hinduism is rich in festivals and religious festivals are very dear and sacred to Hindus. Hinduism is oldest and third largest religion of the world with about one billion adherents and moksh (liberation) is its ultimate goal. There are about three million Hindus in USA.
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK: CHRISTMAS ON PALOMAR MOUNTAIN
East County News Service December 26, 2016 (Palomar) – Lori Saldaña originally posted these fairy tale-like Christmas morning images on Facebook, with a message reading, “A very Merry Christmas morning to all. Here is my very So Cal Christmas view: snow on the ridge above, trees all around, sun in the valley below. May you enjoy the day with loved ones doing what brings you joy!” The newsflasher and bottom left image is taken through a frosty windowpane at Harrison Serenity Ranch, a retreat on Palomar Mountain at an elevation of 3,500 feet. The top two images show a ridgeline higher up on Palomar Mountain, around 4,000 feet elevation, in the Cleveland National Forest near Palomar Mountain State Park. Ice-encrusted dead trees, still standing after a wildfire, are scattered among new growth—images of past and present combined in a winter wonderland scenic vista.
TOP 15 LIBRARY CHECKOUTS IN 2016
By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office January 3, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego County residents continued to take advantage of the all of free resources available to them from the San Diego County Library system in 2016. From books and e-books to DVDs and a variety of programs for residents of all ages, the SDCL ranked amongst the top library systems in the nation. In fact, SDCL was tops in California in the number of programs offered and attendance at those programs. That ranked fifth in the U.S. in both categories as well. SDCL was number one in kids programming attendance in California and number four in the nation, according to the national statistical report of libraries during the last fiscal year. How many of the top books, e-books and DVDs in the top 15 County Library checkouts did you read, listen to or watch? See below the top 15 list for the “grown-up” books, e-books and DVDs. Then be sure to check them out! (Fun fact: If you include children’s books, the “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” series by Jeff Kinney took ten of the top 11 spots for books!) Top 15 Checked-Out Books of 2016 “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr “Go Set a Watchman” by Harper Lee “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham “The Crossing” by Michael Connelly “Memory Man” by David Baldacci “The Guilty” by David Baldacci “Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child “Tricky Twenty-Two: A Stephanie Plum Novel” by Janet Evanovich “X” by Sue Grafton “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” by David Lagercrantz “Gray Mountain” by John Grisham “See Me” by Nicholas Sparks “The Japanese Lover” by Isabel Allende Top 15 Checked-Out E-Books of 2016 “Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel” by Lee Child “Rogue Lawyer” by John Grisham “Me Before You” by Jojo Moyes “The Girl on the Train” by Paula Hawkins “The Martian” by Andy Weir “Tricky Twenty-Two: A Stephanie Plum Novel” by Janet Evanovich “The Last Mile” by David Baldacci “The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah “The Crossing” by Michael Connelly “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr “The Guilty” by David Baldacci “15th Affair” by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro “The Girl in the Spider’s Web” by David Lagercrantz “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Parts One and Two” by J.K. Rowling, John Tiffany and Jack Thorne Fool Me Once” by Harlen Coben Top 15 Checked-Out Movies of 2016 “Bridge of Spies” “Into the Woods” “The Martian” “Mad Max Fury Road” “Insurgent” “Room” “American Sniper” “Unbroken” “Aloha” “The Book Thief” “Terminator Genisys” “Furious 7” “Jurassic World” “Kingsman: the Secret Service” “Creed”
CHIEF’S CORNER: MUD FLOW/EROSION SAFETY TIPS—STORMS COMING!
By Sam DiGiovanna January 2, 2017 (San Diego) — The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting the possibility of significant storm beginning next Saturday. The NWS is reporting that an Atmospheric River (a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere) may reach southern California Saturday. This may produce more rain than we have seen in decades. Start thinking ahead to prepare. Recent fires? Be aware that areas hit by wildfires have an increased risk of landslides and mudflows once the rainy season starts. Be prepared to evacuate Listen to local authorities and leave if you are told to evacuate. Where would we go? Decide in advance where you would go in case you can’t return home for weeks or months. Inspect – Look around home and property for landslide warning signs: Cracks or bumps appear on hill slopes, ground or roads Water or saturated ground in areas not normally wet Evidence of slow, downhill movement of rock and soil Tilted trees, poles, decks, patios, fences or walls Doors and windows stick or cracks appear on walls, etc. During a mudflow or landslide: Listen for trees cracking, rocks banging together or water flowing rapidly (especially if near a stream or river) – debris flow may be close by. Move it! Whether you are in a vehicle, outside, or in your home – GET TO SAFER GROUND! Be small – If there is no way to escape, curl into a tight ball and protect your head the best you can. AFTER A LANDSLIDE OR MUDFLOW: Listen – Local radio and TV reports will keep you posted on latest updates or check with your local police or fire departments. Things to watch for: Flooding – usually occur after landslides or debris flow Damaged areas – roadways and bridges may be buried, washed-out or weakened — and water, gas & sewer lines may be broken Downed power lines – report them to power company Inspect – Look for damage around home and property and watch for new landslide warning signs: Check foundation, chimney, garage and other structures Report any broken utility lines or damaged roads to local authorities Watch for tilted trees, poles, decks, patios, fences or walls Notice doors or windows stick, cracks appear, etc. For additional safety information contact your local fire department or visit: https://www.lacounty.gov/files/RAIN%20FLOOD%20SAFETY_phbs_2012.pdf Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna *Note: The information in this article was compiled from various sources. These suggestions are not a complete list of every preventative or loss control measure. The information is not intended to replace additional safety manuals or the advice of another qualified professional(s). We make no guarantee of results from use of this information. We assume no liability in connection with the information nor the suggestions made.
READERS & WRITERS CALENDAR: JAN. 3-15, 2017
Copyright 2017 by Sam Warren, Editor Contributor: Laura Roberts, Editor, The Writer’s Life, SDW/EG January 2, 2017 (San Diego) — This week’s edition includes a newsflash about a popular local bookstore closing its doors, appearances by prominent authors, classes and a local writer’s conference. NEWS FLASH UPSTART CROW BOOKSTORE located in Seaport Village is closing their door at the end of December after 35 years serving San Diego. READERS THEATER REVIEWS www.sdTheatreReviews.com and www.sdtheatrescene.com SAN DIEGO PUBLIC LIBRARY CALENDAR OF EVENTS http://sdpl.bwcs-hosting.com/cal/main/showMain.rdo KPBS ONE-BOOK CALENDAR http://www.kpbs.org/one-book/ * * * * January 3 (Tuesday, 7:00 pm) — Jonathan Maberry and Kami Garcia sign The X-Files Origins: Devil’s Advocate and The X-Files Origins: Agent of Chaos. Before the FBI, before the X-Files, they were just two teenagers in search of the truth. X-Files fans will be able to add a new chapter to Mulder and Scully’s story with The X-Files Origins series, a pair of YA novels about 15-year-old Dana Scully and 17-year-old Fox Mulder. Agent of Chaos and Devil’s Advocate are set in the spring of 1979, when serial murder, the occult, and government conspiracy were highlighted in the news. Mulder and Scully experience life-changing events that set them on the path to becoming the FBI agents. Acclaimed bestselling author Kami Garcia tells Mulder’s story in Agent of Chaos, and bestselling author and Renaissance man Jonathan Maberry tells Scully’s in Devil’s Advocate. IDW Publishing publishes both a series of X-Files prose anthologies, and comics, both continuing the original classic television show storyline, and telling tales of the Origins. Mysterious Galaxy, 5943 Balboa Ave, Suite 100, San Diego. For additional information, go to http://www.mystgalaxy.com/ or call (858) 268-4747. January 7 (Saturday, 2:00 pm) — The Galaxy offers New YA for the New Year with our Lost Girls launch party, which will include a trio of authors, cupcakes, swag, and raffle prizes! Novelist and magazine editor Merrie Destefano is best known to readers as the author of urban fantasies with elements of romance, mystery, danger and the supernatural. Her first print young adult work, Lost Girls revisits her enthusiasm for strong female protagonists who can fight their own battles. Party author Rachel Marks, author of Darkness Savage, enthused, “Lost Girls is full of mystery, meltable romance, and gritty magnetism. I seriously couldn’t put it down.” And see Constance’s review of Sara Wolf’s Love Me Never by clicking here. Warwick’s Books, 7812 Girard Ave, La Jolla (858) 454-0347, http://www.warwicks.com. January 9 (Monday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick’s is hosting best-selling author Emeran Mayer on Monday, January 9th at 7:30pm to discuss and sign his new book The Mind-Gut Connection. Emeran Mayer—MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine at UCLA and Director of the Oppenheimer Center for Neurobiology of Stress and Resilience—is one of the leading scientists in the world advancing the idea that our microbiome and our brain are inextricably linked. For nearly 25 years, he has been the go-to researcher in the area of brain gut interactions, and his work has played a major role in the recent “gut” revolution. The gut converses with the brain like no other organ. If you’ve ever felt queasy as you walked into an uncomfortable situation or based a life decision on a “gut feeling,” then you know that sometimes our bodies react faster and often wiser than our minds. Most of us have also experienced the same phenomenon in reverse, where our mental state has affected our digestive systems—the butterflies in our stomach before a first date, or the anxious rumbling we feel when we feel stressed out or upset. But while the dialogue between the mind and the gut has been recognized for centuries, until now Western medicine has not fully realized just how powerful and wide-reaching this connection is. As Dr. Mayer explains, the connection between the mind and the gut is bidirectional: the gut talks to the brain and the brain talks to the gut every minute of our lives. One of the most intriguing aspects of this dialogue is the fact that the microbes living in our gut play a crucial role in it. When this communication channel is out of whack—due to diet, lifestyle, stress, excessive antibiotic use or illness—we experience mental and physical health issues including food sensitivities and allergies, digestive disorders, obesity, depression, panic disorders, anxiety, and fatigue. THE MIND-GUT CONNECTION teaches us how we can enjoy a happier mindset, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and often associated digestive symptoms, and even decrease our risk of developing neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. With simple, practical advice drawn from his vast clinical experience and the latest research, Dr. Mayer shows us that paying attention to the mind-gut balance is the key to unlocking optimal health. Warwick’s Books, 7812 Girard Ave, La Jolla (858) 454-0347, http://www.warwicks.com. January 11 (Wednesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick’s is hosting author and award-winning lyricist Carole Bayer Sager on Wednesday, January 11th at 7:30pm to discuss and sign her new book They’re Playing Our Song. For five decades, Sager has been among the most admired and successful songwriters at work, responsible for her lyrical contributions to some of the most popular songs in the English language, including “Nobody Does It Better,” “A Groovy Kind of Love,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and the theme from the movie Arthur, “The Best That You Can Do” (about getting caught between the moon and New York City). She has collaborated with (and written for) a dizzying number of stars, including Peter Allen, Ray Charles, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Neil Diamond, Clint Eastwood, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Carole King, Melissa Manchester, Reba McEntire, Bette Midler, Dolly Parton, Carly Simon, Frank Sinatra, and Barbra Streisand. For five decades, Sager has been among the most admired and successful songwriters at work, responsible for her lyrical contributions to some of the most popular songs in the English language, including “Nobody Does It Better,” “A Groovy Kind of Love,” “Don’t Cry Out Loud,” and the theme from the movie
GOOD NEWS FOR SHOPPERS: SALES TAX DROPS SLIGHTLY IN CALIFORNIA
East County News Service January 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Next time you go shopping, you’ll be spending a little bit less. Effective January 1st, 2017, California’s statewide sales tax has dropped a quarter of a percent. That’s because a temporary tax hike approved by voters four years ago under has expired. That measure, Proposition 30, provided a short-term tax boost to fund public schools and public safety. Statewide, the sales tax is now 7.25 percent, down from 7.5 percent. Some cities still have higher rates, however, including El Cajon and La Mesa in East County. But even in cities with their own higher assessments, the rate will still be lower this year than last. La Mesans will pay 8.5 percent, down from 8.75 percent. El Cajon’s rate drops to 8.25 percent, down from 8.5 percent. The savings amounts to 25 cents for every $100 spent, $2.50 on $1,000 expended, or $25 for a $10,000 major purchase such as a vehicle.
5 BENEFICIAL HOME MODIFICATIONS FOR PEOPLE WITH ALZHEIMER’S
By Caroline James Image via Pixabay by stevepb January 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Alzheimer’s is a disease that drastically affects a senior’s ability to live out their golden years in their own homes. Many affected by Alzheimer’s find it necessary to move into an assisted living facility in order to live safely. However, there are a number of ways you can help your aging loved one remain in their home rather than uprooting and moving into a specialized facility. Home modifications are one of the first steps you should take to help your loved one remain safe, happy, and at home. Here are a few great projects to get you started. Utilize Labeling The biggest symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss, meaning a patient may forget how to work everyday items or where to find things they need within their homes. Large, easily-read labels throughout the house can be an extremely useful modification for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s. Consider investing in a label maker and marking everyday items your loved one will need to find and use on a regular basis. This includes instructions on household items such as stoves and microwaves (assuming they are not already well-marked). Modify Key Spaces for Use While Seated Many seniors struggle with fatigue, meaning a few hours spent standing in the kitchen can be very difficult. Areas like this should be modified to be useful while sitting. Lowering counters, organizing with lazy susans, installing a hose into the sink, and lowering the microwave are just a few options to consider. Upgrade the Bathroom The bathroom is one of the most dangerous places for a senior to be in their home. There are many hard surfaces and a higher chance of slipping, tripping, or falling, so it should be one of the first rooms you modify. A few simple additions such as grab bars near the toilet and bathtub, a shower chair, and plenty of non-slip bath mats can help to minimize the risk of slips and falls in the bathroom. Improve Lighting Dim lighting is a leading cause of falls in seniors. Vision declines for many people as they age, and a dimly lit area in the house creates the perfect environment for trips. The best thing to do is swap traditional incandescent bulbs for something brighter and place new fixtures in poorly lit areas. As memory loss begins to affect your loved one, it becomes all too easy for them to forget that last, dark step or fail to remember setting a book down in the hallway. Good lighting is critical to safety in seniors. Spend a Little Time Organizing Decluttering the home is one of the best things you can do to make your loved one’s life easier. Too much clutter or badly organized areas in the home can make finding necessary items next to impossible. By clearly organizing and possibly labeling spaces such as closets, bookshelves, and pantries, you are making it much easier for your loved one to find needed items despite memory loss. While you’re organizing, be sure that other affairs are in order. For example, make sure someone other than your loved one with Alzheimer’s is informed about where important documents are kept, such as your home’s deed or your loved one’s birth certificate. That way if something were to happen to you, you can be sure your loved one will be well taken care of in your absence. With a few modifications and some help from a visiting nurse, your loved one is perfectly capable of living at home until they see fit to leave. Many people are not able to hang onto their homes until the very end, but your efforts can certainly give them many more happy years in the home they cherish.
OWNER OF DOG KILLED ON HIGHWAY 94 SOUGHT
East County News Service January 2, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – A woman who tried to save a dog yesterday morning that was later fatally struck by a vehicle on State Route 94 near the Broadway/College exit is trying to find the dog’s owner. According to Angela Foster’s post on the Next Door Mt. Helix discussion forum, she saw the dog running against traffic around 8 a.m. on New Year’s morning. “I pulled over on the median and called him/her to me,” she wrote. “He ran away from me and down the freeway. I called 911 and I cut across all the traffic lanes, got off the freeway and back on at Federal trying to head him off. Unfortunately, another driver was unable to stop.” Foster says she pulled over to try and help the animal after it was struck, but couldn’t reach the dog to pick it up or check tags because of heavy, fast-moving traffic. “He didn’t move at all as the cars whizzed by. I’m pretty sure he didn’t suffer and his passing was quick,” she adds. “I called 911 back and cried with the operator. She said an officer was on the way and I should get back on the road. I’m so sorry, I really tried,” she concludes. “Rest in peace beautiful, small fluffy golden dog.”