By Miriam Raftery

October 1, 2019 (Lakeside) – Bob Turner, owner of a sand mine located on Moreno Ave. at State Route 67 in Lakeside, has applied to expand the sand mine. The issue will be heard on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 6:30 p.m. by the Lakeside Community Planning Group (LCPG) in the Lakeside Community Center. View agenda.

The documents on the specific expansion details are not available online. However journalist and Lakeside environmental activist Ana Nita states in an e-mail to ECM tonight,  “Turner is applying to expand the mine below the aquifer level at 80 ft.” The sand mine was reportedly approved in 2017 at a depth of 25 feet.

Earlybird ticket rates extended to Oct. 2 for our Oct. 5 fiesta

East County Magazine and our East County Dining Club invite you to party hearty at our 

FALL FIESTA!

When: Saturday, October 5 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Where:  D&S Farms, home of Granite Lion Cellars Winery

                                                                     (in their shaded oak grove at 2801 Jamul Highlands, Jamul)

• Catered dinner from La Loteria de Jamul (choice of entrees: chicken poblano or fish in jalapeño/pineapple sauce, plus apple salad, ceviche, chips and salsa, potatoes, roasted vegetables, avocado aioli, and churro)
• Music by Sergio D. Tala (Spanish, Caribbean, rhumba and flamenco. Ole!)
• Wine tasting, wine by the glass available
• Prizes galore, festive fun and more! Prizes include:  $300 gift basket from E-Med spa (facial and skincare products), $200 gift basket from Ava Hair Salon, gift certificates from La Loteria del Jamul,  Round Table Pizza, Home Depot and others, original wine-themed art by Annette Cirillo, purse with fringe and rhinestones, wine lovers' gifts, jewelry and more.

Cost: $33 with RSVP by Oct. 2,  $38 after Oct. 2 (if not sold out); designated driver/no alcohol $28

Tickets:  Click arrow below for menu of ticket options to pay via credit card or Paypal:

By Miriam Raftery

September 30, 2019 (La Mesa) – Surf Rider Pizza Co. in La Mesa is among four restaurants that Cohn Restaurant Group will be temporarily taking over. Those four restaurants were managed by Patio Marketplace, an entity of Gina Champion-Cain. 

CA Senator Brian Jones, also running, chides non-resident candidates for holding press conference in “wrong district”  

Video excerpt: Darrell Issa

Video excerpt: Carl DeMaio

by Paul Kruze, Contributing Editor

September 26, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The weather in El Cajon Thursday morning was cloudy and drizzly in front of City Hall. But the political rhetoric was sweltering. In the race for San Diego’s 50th Congressional District, four Republican candidates for the seat bowed out and swung their support to former 49th District Congressman Darrell Issa.

Another candidate, former San Diego City Councilman and conservative radio host Carl DeMaio, held a rival press conference some 100 feet away to attack Issa. State Senator Brian Jones, who is also running, chose to remain above the fray by staying away.

East County News Service

September 26, 2019 (La Mesa) -- Keller Williams Realty La Mesa has moved its offices to the top floor (Suite 700) of the Allied Plaza Building, located at 7777 Alvarado Road, La Mesa, 91942.

One of the first Keller Williams locations in San Diego County, the Keller Williams Realty La Mesa team is experiencing a growth period, with 100 active agents and a goal of increasing by another 20% in the next 6 - 12 months.

East County News Service

September 25, 2019 (El Cajon) – Sycuan Casino Resort has opened three new restaurants:  the Bull and Bourbon steak house, the Elicit Lounge, and Retreat, a poolside venue complete with cabanas and swim-up bar.  View/download menus and learn more at Sycuan.com. 

Below are delicious details on the new Clique Hospitality offerings provided by Sycuan:

East County News Service

September 24, 2019 (Valley Center) – You’re invited to don your best costume for a Halloween contest and parade plus fun for the whole family at Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center (15954 Woods Valley Rd.)  on Sunday, October 27.

Source: City of El Cajon

September 24, 2019 (El Cajon) --“Engage, educate, and empower!” These are the goals of the City’s Teen Coalition. The City is seeking members to serve on the 2019-20 Teen Coalition. With monthly meetings at Renette Recreation Center, members will develop their leadership skills, get involved through community service, and explore strategies to address youth issues. The coalition sponsors the annual “Youth of the Year” award which recognizes individuals who go above and beyond in serving their community. 

Update Sept. 27, 2019 -- Estela de Los Rios,  a community leader who plans to run for El Cajon City Council, sent these comments objecting to the demise of the commissions.  "I believe it our right as citizens of El Cajon to have these board commissions and have them open until we seek people to serve on them. There has to be a better way to recruit. This is a prime example of the city council's actions that need to change for the best interest of our city. It makes no sense to have a Magnolia Performing Center but no Arts Commission?"

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 23, 2019 (El Cajon) – The agenda for tomorrow’s El Cajon City Council meeting includes second reading and adoption of a code amendment to eliminate three city entities  The Veterans’ Commission, the Commission on Arts and Culture, and the Human Relations Commission, which advises the council on diversity issues.

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2019 (El Cajon) – The 8^th annual HauntFest in downtown El Cajon is expected to draw around 40,000 visitors in Friday, October 25^th from 5 to 10 p.m. 

This year, HauntFest includes live music on two stages, costume contests on the Main Street stage, expanded carnival rides and games, candy challenge activities, a Kidz Zone, face painting, performances by TNT dancers and the Arts in Motion Crew and Junior Crew. There’s also the St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center Pumpkin Patch, craft and game booths, an LED rock wall, inflatable jumps for kids, showings of the first two Harry Potter movies and more.

East County News Service

September 23, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) -- Are you ready to have fun and learn about creatures whooo go BOOOO in the night?  The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College invites you to don your Halloween costume for “Ms. Smarty-Plants Goes Batty” on October 12 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.