NATIONAL WEATHER REVISES FORECAST: THUNDERSTORMS AND LIGHTNING POSSIBLE THIS WEEKEND, BUT FLASH FLOODS UNLIKELY
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — Hot weather and possible thunderstorms are forecast for this weekend in our inland region, mainly in the mountains during afternoons and early evenings. “Moisture will be limited, so at this time, any flash flood threat looks minimal, but dry lightning strikes may pose a wildfire threat,” the forecast from the National Weather Service in San Diego states, adding that heat watches, warnings or advisories may be issued in the valleys, mountains and deserts later this week. In high heat, to avoid heat-related illness, residents are advised to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, stay hydrated, and if you don’t have air conditioning, considering going to a county-designated cool zone. Don’t leave pets, children or others in vehicles for any period of time and please check on those without air conditioning. Some weakening of the high is forecast early next week for cooler weather, but a modified monsoonal flow will continue the potential for isolated to scattered thunderstorms at times, with the main threat over the mountains and deserts. For latest watches, warnings and advisories, visit the Detailed Hazards Viewer For the latest precipitation totals forecast, see the QPF Sign up for iNWS (free) to get text message/e-mail notifications The FEMA app Printer-friendly version
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JULY 8-30
Printer-friendly version East County News Service July 5, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — This week’s Destination East County includes the Descanso Days parade and festival, a star party and family campout in Lakeside, a hike up Volcan Mountain in Julian, radical reptiles in Rancho San Diego, a falconry demonstration in Julian, a concert by Sara Petite at the Ramona Library, blues and barbecue night in Santee. Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Cal Fire family day at Lake Morena, astronomy night on Mt. Helix, a family hike plus falcons and hawks in the Santa Ysabel preserve, superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey in concert at SDSU, a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian, the Pine Valley Days parade and festivities, the Julian Apple Pie Grand Prix, and the Pomerado Brass Quintet in concert at Mission Trails. So scroll down for all of these events and many more! THIS WEEK DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 8 “Red, white and moo!” will be the theme of this year’s Descanso Days Parade and Fair on July 8th. Parade entries will be judged on best of theme, most creative, and judge’s choice. The parade starts on Viejas Grade and ends at the elementary school. The festival will be held at the Descanso Town Hall (24536 Viejas Grade Road in Descanso.) Be sure to arrive early since roads close for the parade starting at 9 a.m. For more information, visit DescansoTownHall.org. STAR PARTY AND FAMILY CAMPOUT JULY 8 AT OAKOASIS IN LAKESIDE Oakasis County Preserve (12620 Wildcat Canyon Road) in Lakeside invites you to a star party and family campout on Saturday, July 8th. From 7 to 9 p.m., members of the San Diego Astronomy Association will be on hand for an evening of stargazing in the preserve. Arrive in the parking lot at sunset for a twilight hike to search for bats and scorpions, plus enjoy starry-night stories and hot chocolate. For more information call 619-561-0580 (or visit the Oakoasis Facebook page.) MEET A MASTER FALCONER JULY 8 IN JULIAN Meet Master Falconer “Cisco” and his raptors at William Heise County Park (4945 Heise Road) in Julian on Saturday, July 8th from 3 to 5 p.m. You’ll learn about these large birds of prey and watch a live flight demonstration. You can visit the William Heise County Park website for directions and more information. (This event is free for campers; there is a $3 parking fee for others.) VOLCAN MOUNTAIN HIKE IN JULIAN JULY 8 Ranger Doug will lead you on a hike up to the summit atop Volcan Mountain on Saturday, July 8 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., where you can see amazing views of San Diego County and beyond. From the summit, Doug will take you into areas that are normally off-limits to the public so you can see more of this incredible natural habitat. Come prepared for hot weather and bring plenty of water. Volcan Mountain County Preserve is located at 1209 Farmer Rd. in Julian. RADICAL REPTILES JULY 11 IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO Children and parents are invited to a “Radical Reptiles and Friends” presentation at the Rancho San Diego Library (11555 Via Rancho San Diego) in El Cajon on Tuesday, July 11 from 4 to 4:45 p.m. Guests will see a variety of bugs, insects and reptiles. BLUES AND BBQ JULY 13 IN SANTEE The city of Santee presents Blues and BBQ night on Thursday, July 13th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Town Center Park East (550 Park Center Drive, Santee). It’s all part of the city’s Summer Concert Series. The (free) blues and barbecue night includes a beer garden and barbecue as well as performances by Whitney Shay and the Robin Henkel band at 5:30 followed by the Bill Magee Blues band at 7 p.m. MUSICIAN SARA PETITE AT RAMONA LIBRARY JULY 13 Sara Petite will perform Americana, folk and bluegrass music on Thursday, July 13th at 6 p.m. at the Ramona Library, (1275 Main St. in Ramona). It’s all part of the County Library System’s Acoustic Showcase series. For details on concerts and other library events, you can visit the San Diego County Library website at www.SDCL.org. NOW FOR A PREVIEW OF COMING ATTRACTIONS CAL FIRE FAMILY DAY AT LAKE MORENA JULY 15 You’re invited to Cal-Fire Family Day on Saturday, July 15 at Lake Morena County Park (2550 Lake Morena Drive, Campo) from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. You can explore a fire engine and learn how to be fire-safe, plus watch a fire hose in action. Wear comfortable shoes and meet in the overflow parking lot. For more information, you can call the Lake Morena County Park at 619-579-4101 (or visit the park’s Facebook page.) ASTRONOMY ON MT. HELIX JULY 15 Mt. Helix Park is partnering with the San Diego Astronomy Association to host “Astronomy Night” atop Mt. Helix on Saturday, July 15th from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Bring your own telescope or witness the cosmos through one provided by members of the SDAA, who will be on site to help you interpret the night sky. Feel free to bring a picnic dinner (no glass bottles please) and enjoy a spectacular sunset prior to star gazing. FAMILY HIKE JULY 22 AT SANTA YSABEL EAST PRESERVE You can join Ranger Eric in a short beginner’s trek through Santa Ysabel East County Preserve (500 Farmer Road in Julian) to learn essentials for a successful hike. This introduction ot family hiking will be held on Saturday, July 22nd from 4 to 6:30 p.m. Learn what to wear, pack, eat and drink before and during your hike. For more information, you can call the Santa Ysabel East County Preserve at 760-765-4098. (Details: http://www.countynewscenter.com/events/getting-outdoors-an-introduction-to-family-hiking/) FALCONS AND HAWKS JULY 23 AT SANTA YSABEL PRESERVE Learn about the world’s oldest hunting style and sport of kings from Master Falconer Cisco Cibourne on Sunday, July 23 from 4 to 5 p.m. at the Santa Ysabel East County Preserve (500 Farmer Road) in Julian. Visitors will
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: TOP FESTIVALS AND EVENTS JUNE 30 – JULY 29
Printer-friendly version East County News Service June 26, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — This week’s Destination East County includes Fourth of July fireworks, parades and picnics, plus an Elvis tribute in El Cajon. We also have a preview of coming attractions including Descanso Days, the Pine Valley Parade, astronomy on Mt. Helix, music superstars Lionel Ritchie and Mariah Carey coming to San Diego State, and a murder mystery dinner theatre in Julian. So scroll down for all of these events and many more! THIS WEEK SHAKE, RATTLE AND ROLL IN EL CAJON JUNE 30 Elvis tribute artist Scott Bruce will shake, rattle and roll with your favorite Elvis Presley songs on Friday night, June 30th from 6 to 8 p.m. in downtown El Cajon. It’s all part of the Dinner and Concert series all summer long in Prescott Promenade Park. You can bring a lawn chair and picnic to enjoy dining outdoors before the music begins, or arrive early to dine at one of downtown El Cajon’s numerous restaurants. For a full lineup of artists visit www.DowntownElCajon.com. RANCHO SAN DIEGO LIBRARY INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION JULY 1ST On Saturday July 1st, the Rancho San Diego Library will host an early independence weekend celebration from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This family-friendly celebration will include classic elements of idyllic American picnics such as music, games, refreshments and crafts, plus story time with Miss Rancho San Diego as well as performances by Sparkles the Clown and the folk band Trails and Rides. There will also be booths, crafts and kids’ games as well as a half-price book sale by Friends of the Rancho San Diego Library, plus a kick-off to the library’s summer reading challenge. VIEJAS FREEDOM FESTIVAL JULY 2 If you want to start celebrating Independence Day weekend early, Viejas Casino and Resort invites you to a Freedom Festival on July 2nd from 7 to 9 p.m. You’re invited to celebrate the American spirit with live music and cuisine from around the country at the hotel pool, followed by a fireworks show over the park at Viejas. For details, you can visit Viejas.com. LAKE MURRAY MUSIC FEST AND FIREWORKS RETURNS JULY 4TH After several years on hiatus, the beloved San Diego Lake Murray Music Fest and Fireworks show is coming back on July 4th from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the fireworks show at 9 p.m. The music fest is held at Lake Murray Community Park in San Carlos (5540 Kiowa Drive, La Mesa, off Lake Murray Blvd.). The day of fun includes food vendors, fun, bands and fireworks. Bands range from a Beatles tribute to classic rock. The fireworks can be seen throughout the Navajo community, from La Mesa to Del Cerro and beyond. Food will be provided by Kiwanis (hotdogs and hamburgers), Admiral’s Restaurant with Geoff Cole, Rita’s Italian Ice, Bullseye Kettle Corn, Windmill Farms, Los Primos, and Inferno Woodfired Kitchen. Get full details and a full schedule of bands at https://www.lakemurrayfireworks.org/. JULIAN 4TH OF JULY PARADE Julian proudly proclaims its annual 4th of July parade to be the best small-town parade in America. The parade starts with the firing of a cannon and also includes earlier flyovers by vintage aircraft, a gunfight and bank robbery staged by the Julian Doves and Desperados from 10 a.m. to 12 noon., as well as unfurling of a giant flag. The parade itself starts at noon and includes equestrians, marching bands, bagpipers, floats and more, plus there’s a barbecue and dance at the American Legion as well as drawings for vintage airplane rides, sky sailing and a hand-made quilt displayed at Julian’s town hall. Main Street closes at 9 a.m. so arrive early to enjoy this patriotic event in historic Julian. For full details, visit julianparade.com/. EL CAJON CELEBRATION AND FIREWORKS JULY 4 The city of El Cajon invites you to celebrate Independence Day with numerous games, live musical entertainment and fireworks at the City of El Cajon’s Fourth of July Celebration! On July 4th, the El Cajon Recreation Department will host the event at Kennedy Park (1675 East Madison Avenue in El Cajon). From 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. you can enjoy carnival games, an inflatable, a kiddie train and a skate park. Free crafts and family games will be available from 2 to 6 p.m., with music by two live bands from 3 to 9 p.m. A fireworks show with synchronized music at 9 p.m. will provide a finale to the celebration of our nation’s birthday. ALPINE 4TH OF JULY PARADE AND CARNIVAL Alpine will celebrate Independence Day with a Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m. along Alpine Boulevard between West Victoria Boulevard and Tavern Road, bringing back a tradition that’s been dormant for years. Everyone is invited to participate or come watch. The parade’s grand marshals will be Bill Ridenour and Fred Higginbotham, both local World War II veterans now in their 90s who have been instrumental in adding many names of local veterans to Alpine’s Wall of honor. The parade route ends at the Alpine Community Center, where a carnival will include a petting zoo, bounce house, dunk tank, games and children’s activities. There will also be a Wild West show, live band, barbecue and beer garden. For details, visit AlpineKiwanis.org. SANTEE SALUTES JULY 4 The City of Santee invites you to celebrate Independence Day at Santee Salutes, held on July 4th from 2:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Town Center Community Park East (550 Park Center Drive, Santee). Visitors can rock out with live music, see a patriotic ceremony, enjoy a kid’s fun zone and a spectacular fireworks display at 9 p.m. For details, visit the city of Santee’s webpage and click the events calendar. DESCANSO DAYS PARADE AND FAIR JULY 8 “Red, white and moo!” will be the theme of this year’s Descanso Days Parade and Fair on July 8th. Parade entries will be judged on best of theme, most creative, and judge’s choice. The parade starts on Viejas Grade and ends at
DRAMATIC PHOTOS DEPICT BATTLE OF MOSUL
Printer-friendly version Allied forces gain ground: Iraqi Prime Minister declares end to ISIS caliphate, but plight of refugees remains dire By Miriam Raftery; Photos by Kainoa Little Photo, left: Refugees flee the embattled city of Mosul July 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) — East County Magazine has obtained dramatic photos from the Battle of Mosul, taken in the Iraqi city during April 2017 by photographer Kainoa Little, who specializes in photographing war zones and refugees. His images show Iraqi federal police fighting to free Mosul from occupation by Islamic State, or ISIL, militants who seized the city in June 2014. The photos poignantly depict the courage of soldiers and at times, fear, as they fight amid the ruins and also the anguish of residents and refugees fleeing the city. The battle captured in these April photos continues, with the allies gaining ground. Today, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al Abadi held a press conference to praise his troops for a “big victory in Mosul” including retaking what remains of the al-Nuri mosque in the old city, Associated Press reports. Photo, right: Iraqi federal police exchange gunfire with ISIS across a theatre “Praise be to God, we managed to liberate (Mosul) and proved the others were wrong, the people of Mosul supported and stood with our security forces against terrorism,” al-Abadi declared. San Diego’s East County is home to some 40,000 to 50,000 Iraqi Chaldean Christians as well as Kurdish and Muslim immigrants and refugees from the region. Many fled their homeland due to persecution by ISIS, now watching and praying that the Iraqi military, along with allied forces including the U.S., will be able to wrest control of Mosul from ISIS. While the plight of residents and refugees has grown increasingly desperate with food and water in short supply, according to the United Nations, the end of the long siege may finally be at hand. Indeed, al Abadi has declared an end to the Iraqi caliphate in recent days. Remaining ISIS fighters are in what al Abadi described as a fight to their death in a portion of the old city. As Iraqi and allied forces gain ground, ISIS has resorted to using children as human shields and using suicide bombers to wage terror among refugees and civilians. ISIS forces in the city have shrunk from thousands to a few hundred, now trapped without food, water or medicine, according to the Iraqi government, Reuters reports. ISIS militants have already been uprooted in some other areas of Iraq, remaining only a few portions of western Iraq and neighboring Syria, where ISIS is also under siege. Iraq’s prime minister added that he has given orders for troops to begin rebuilding and stabilizing areas of the city from which ISIS has been ousted. Photo, left: Civilians flee battle in the Musharrifah area of Mosul. Facing difficulties selling his photos to major media outlets despite the high quality of many of his images, Little decided to make them available free online. As a show of support for a photojournalist who risked his personal safety to capture these compelling photos, East County Magazine sent a modest payment to the photographer because we value his work. We encourage others who find these images powerful to do the same. (You can find Little’s contact info at www.kainoalittle.com,) Scroll down to view a selection of additional images of Little’s from the Battle of Mosul: Photo,below: Iraqi soldier enters a theatre in the Old City suspected of containing an explosive device. Seconds later, an ISIS militant opened fire from the rafters. Photo, below: Federal policeman takes fire at theatre; several bullets impacted the other side of the wall, where he had been looking through a window. Photo, below: Federal police fire at ISIS on a street in Mosul’s old ctiy. Photo, below: A Humvee passes refugees fleeing battles in Musharrifah. Photo, below: Terrified refugees escape fighting. Photo: American and Burmese medics are unable to revive a sniper victim, one of countless civilians slaughtered by ISIS in violation of international law. View more of Kainoa Little’s Mosul photos and other images at http://www.kainoalitte.com, http://imgur.com/gallery/rxdus , and http://www.boredpanda.com/armed-forces-refugees-photos-kainoa-little-islamic-state/ . Scroll down to view more of his compelling photos from Mosul. Printer-friendly version
ECM PADRES REPORT: ONE RUN IS ENOUGH AS PADRES TAKE GAME ONE FROM INDIANS ON INDEPENDENCE DAY
Printer-friendly version Like our sports coverage? Donate to help support ECM’s sports section! Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories! Story by Liz Alper Photo: Indians ace Corey Kluber went eight innings with 10 strikeouts, but the Padres emerged victorious. Via @Indians on Twitter July 4, 2017 (Cleveland) – Happy Fourth of July! The Padres are spending Independence Day in Cleveland, starting a three-game series with the Indians, which is kind of ironic for Independence Day. Trevor Cahill started against Indians ace Corey Kluber. A lot of close calls happened early on, but the Padres finally got through to Kluber in the fifth on a fielder’s choice. And believe it or not, that one run was enough. The Catholics declared independence from the Native Americans on the Fourth of July with a 1-0 win and a series lead. Game two is tomorrow at 4:10 p.m. Luis Perdomo starts against Trevor Bauer for the Tribe. Printer-friendly version