By Maryanne Jackson, Real Estate Broker CNE. CPRES.

March 6, 2019 (San Diego's East County) -

Dear Maryanne,

My partner and I need to jazz up our home. Although we have no plans to move any time soon.

We need ideas. What are the latest home staging trends that would not cost us a fortune and require a building permit?

Marella K. in Grossmont

By Maryanne Jackson Real Estate Broker CNE, CPRES.

February 28, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My husband and I purchased a home last year in East County. My husband is currently Active Duty Military and we used his VA benefits to purchase the home. We have a large area in our fenced in rear yard that has been perfect for growing vegetables.

I have an honorable discharge from the military due to an injury, because of this injury I am subject to constant pain. I have been managing the inflammation and pain flare ups with my medical marijuana license that enables me to purchase the amount of vapor inserts that I need. The cost has become staggering to buy the medical marijuana that I need as it is not covered under my TRI CARE health insurance.

Last spring, I decided to take matters into my own hands and planted several marijuana plants. I have a green thumb to say the least. The plants are getting huge and I am planning on using the dried leaves to offset my cost. Upon my husband’s last visit home from sea he was mowing the grass and noticed the plants. He is concerned that he could get arrested or kicked out of the military for the plants growing on our private property.

Do you know where we stand on this? After all, marijuana has been legalized now in California and I do have a medical marijuana license.

A.J. Lakeside, CA.

By Maryanne Jackson

Image credit: Pixabay

February 18, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My wife and I are starting to consider options for retirement communities as we are getting on in age. The simple things have become more challenging for us to perform and despite our love for our home we feel it is time to start our search. We are looking for any suggestions you can offer for us as we start our investigating.

--J. Mount Helix

By Maryanne Jackson

February 10, 2019 (San Diego’s East County)

Dear Maryanne,

My wife and I are considering selling our home in Spring Valley and purchasing a larger home in the same area. We will need to use the proceeds from the sale to upsize.

Is it recommended to hire a home inspector prior to putting our home up for sale?

If so, what is the advantage of us putting the $450 out to do this? Will the buyer still need to get their own home inspection during the escrow investigation process?

--Eric J., Spring Valley, CA

East County News Service

January 29, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Baron’s backroom beer pairing, a powwow at Cuyamaca College, the Lunar New Year at Barona, and Hawk Watch in Ramona

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions just in time for Valentine’s Day including a group wedding vow renewal at Parkway Plaza, Cupids and Canines at Grossmont Center, and KISS in concert at SDSU. There are also theatrical productions, open farm day at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Borrego historical tour and living history presentation on the de Anza expedition.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Maryanne Jackson

January 25, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) 

Dear Maryanne, 

My fiancé and I have been renting our apartment in La Mesa for two years. Our lease is coming up for renewal and, once again our landlord is raising our rent.

Should we renew our lease and pay the increase in rent? Or, should we start to look at purchasing our own place to avoid this constant increase in rent year after year? 

-- Melissa M., La Mesa, CA

East County News Service

January 7, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Hawk Watch in Ramona, the American Crown Circus in Otay Ranch, an Agatha Christie whodunit presented by Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, desert hikes and bike rides, bluegrass jams, garden classes and more.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including bluegrass music at the Alpine Library, Songs for the New World at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley and the rock band KISS live at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 19, 2018 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes New Year’s Eve celebrations in Alpine, Lakeside and Jamul plus events coming up in January including a circus in Otay Ranch, classes at the Water Conservation Garden, live music and open mic nights at Wynola Pizza, ice skating at Viejas, desert hikes and a paleolithic conference in Borrego Springs, a star party at Mission Trails, and the musical “Songs for A New World” at the Encore Theatre in Spring Valley.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

December 2, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Breakfast with Santa in Alpine, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra’s Christmas concert, an Enchanted Village in Spring Valley, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, outdoor ice skating at Viejas and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as Fleetwood Mac, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, and a comedy  appearance by Trevor Noah.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

November 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village, Breakfast with Santa in Alpine, San Diego Festival Chorus & Orchestra’s Christmas concert and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as Fleetwood Mac, LeAnn Rimes, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, a comedy appearance by Trevor Noah,and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

East County News Service

November 12, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season in East County has many fun and festive events coming up, including Santee’s holiday tree lighting, the Mother Goose Parade, Pomegranate Days at the Oasis Camel Dairy, a Julian Country Christmas, El Cajon’s Holiday Lights on Main Street, North Pole Limited train rides in Campo, the Spirit of Christmas in Lakeside, Ramona’s tree lighting with sleigh rides, outdoor ice skating at Viejas, the Alpine Parade of Lights and Snow Festival, La Mesa’s Holiday in the Village and more.

Plus, there are some non-holiday happenings this season including concerts by such stellar performers as LeAnn Rimes, Tony Orlando and the Kingston Trio, a radio production of It’s a Wonderful Life, and a swingin’ holiday party with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

So scroll down for all of these events and more!

By Buck Schott

November 5, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – On Election Eve, here are a few last-minute signs of the times:

Stealing or defacing campaign signs is illegal. But in Santee, someone has found a creative way to augment info for voters by adding their own message underneath Congressman Duncan Hunter’s signs (left).

By Buck Shott

Hot on the campaign trail in East County, we’ve got the latest claims, controversies, mud slinging and... singing!

Here’s our rundown of the juiciest campaign tidbits as Election Day draws near:

East County News Service

October 3, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Ramona Air Fair, a fishing class at Lake Morena, Oktoberfest in El Cajon, Oma’s Pumpkin Patch, the Pumpkin Express in Campo, and a Haunted Amusement Park in Flinn Springs.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including spooky campouts at Lake Jennings in Lakeside and at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, the Borrego Days desert festival and parade, fair trade shopping in La Mesa, HauntFest on Main in El Cajon, and trick or treating at Viejas Outlets in Alpine.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!