East County News Service

January 8, 2019 (Santee) -- The Santee Historical Society announces San Diego Trolleys, a presentation and book signing by Douglas W. Mengers on Saturday, January 19 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Santee Historical Society and Museum, 9200 Magnolia Avenue in Santee.

Starting with the first horse-drawn trolleys introduced by the San Diego Streetcar Company in 1886, San Diego’s history includes the growth and decline of several transportation systems. After electricity arrived, San Diego was the site of early experimentation for electric trolleys on the West Coast.

By Sam Warren © 2018

“The secret of good writing is to say an old thing in a new way or a new thing in an old way.” —Richard Harding Davis, journalist and author (1864-1916)

December 12, 2018 (San Diego) – From a year-end wrap-up at the Book Catapult to book discussions, author signings and a holiday writers’ potluck, here are the upcoming local literary events in late December.  

Click to scroll down for a list of book events.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

“Finishing a book is just like you took a child out in the backyard and shot it.”  —Truman Capote 

December 8, 2018 (San Diego) – From a writers’ and editors’ holiday potluck party to author book signings, writing classes and library events, there’s a lot happening in our local literary community.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

East County News Service

November 9, 2018 (La Mesa) - The public is invited to Soroptimist International of La Mesa's  61^th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Community Breakfast, which will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at the Handlery Hotel & Resort, 950 Hotel Circle North in San Diego’s Mission Valley.  Admission is $45 per person.

East County News Service

October 31, 2018 (Lakeside) - East County’s own Mr. Ed, a horse named Jackson Day, has a book titled I'm Jackson Day and I'm here to Stay.  On November 10th, you’re invited to come meet and dance with Jackson at Selah Ranch, 11314 Morena Ave. in Lakeside, from 1-3 p.m.

East County News Service

October 2, 2018 (Lemon Grove) - During the month of October, the Lemon Grove Library is hosting a free series of bilingual parenting workshops to empower families in the area. The workshops are offered in partnership with the Lemon Grove School District and address a variety of topics of interest to families with school-aged children in the district.

Updated January 24, 2021 with a link on ABA therapy for autism. 

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 31, 2018 (La Mesa) - A simple suggestion from a parent at the La Mesa Branch Library has initiated a new program for kids with autism.

“It’s one of the best things I’ve heard about in a while for kids on the spectrum,” said Matthew Wion, a dad with two kids on the spectrum who has been taking advantage of the new program.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo, left:  Author and historian James D. Newland with his book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service

August 19, 2018 (La Mesa)—Author and historian James D. Newland’s latest book, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service, provides a fascinating look into the colorful history of East County as well as the hospital itself and the evolution of healthcare in our region.

Newland was honored Thursday at the Grossmont Healthcare District headquarters with a reception attended by the district’s board of directors and community VIPs. Following appetizers and brews served up by Burning Beard brewery, the district’s CEO Barry Jantz and board president Michael Emerson gave welcoming remarks. 

Newland signed copies of his book, noting that the biggest challenge in its creation was handling the controversy over the hospital merging with Sharp Healthcare, a move that kept East County’s major hospital financially viable at a time when rising costs drove some other healthcare facilities under.

The Artist Portrait Project: A Photographic Memoir of Portrait Sessions with San Diego Artists, 2006 – 2016, by Jennifer G. Spencer (She Writes Press, Berkeley, CA, 2018, 117 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“All photographs are memento mori. To take a photograph is to participate in another person’s (or thing’s) mortality, vulnerability, mutability. Precisely by slicing out this moment and freezing it, all photographs testify to time’s relentless melt.”

• Susan Sontag

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) - There is an old adage that says “A Picture is worth a Thousand Words!” Jennifer G. Spencer, a painter/photographer who creates images using alternative photographic processes and digital imagery, exemplifies that old adage in her groundbreaking memoir; The Artist Portrait Project: A Photographic Memoir of Portrait Sessions with San Diego Artists, 2006 – 2016.

By Miriam Raftery

August 17, 2018 (San Diego) – Language expert, author, columnist and radio personality Richard Lederer will be a special guest at our East County Fest 10-year anniversary party of the decade on Saturday night, August 25. (Tickets are going fast! Get tickets and learn more.)

In addition to speaking and signing copies of his latest books, Lederer has generously donated two special auction prizes – an entertaining and educational appearance by Lederer for your group, and a poker lesson by Lederer, whose skills enabled his two children to become world and national poker champions.

Lederer is the author of 50 books about language, history, and humor, including his best-selling Anguished English series and his current books, Amazing Words, Lederer on Language, and The Joy of Names. He is a founding co-host of “A Way With Words” on KPBS.

Dr. Lederer’s syndicated column, “Lederer on Language,” appears in newspapers and magazines throughout the United States, including the San Diego Union-Tribune. He has been named International Punster of the Year and Toastmasters International’s Golden Gavel winner.

Writing and Madness in a Time of Terror: A Memoir, by Afarin Majidi (Barnes & Noble/Amazon, 2014, 325 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“A woman forced to flee Iran with her family … bravely explores three explosive issues—mental illness, racism, and misogyny—with bracing candor … Majidi provides an engrossing and timely look at the way women of color are doubly objectified, as exotic sexual quarry and as individuals worthy of contempt.” – KIRKUS REVIEWS

July 25, 2018 (San Diego) - The very first time that this writer interviewed Afarin Majidi, the author of this memoir, Writing and Madness in a Time of Terror, what resonated with me was her reliance on and speaking of the current and timely “#MeToo” movement, as if everything written in this memoir is symptomatic of what women are experiencing throughout the country.

Food for Life, by Laila Ali (St. Martin’s Press, New York, N.Y., 2017, 312 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

July 8, 2018 (San Diego) - Passionate health advocate, cook, television personality, and four-time undefeated boxing world champion Laila Ali’s first cookbook is an idea-rich guide for happy dinners (and breakfasts and lunches) at home.

17 Steps: A Federal Employee’s Guide for Tackling Workplace Discrimination, by Tanya Ward Jordan (Tanya Ward Jordan, M.S., 2018, 186 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

June 1, 2018 (San Diego) - Tanya Ward Jordan, M.S., President and Founder of The Coalition For Change, Inc., (C4C), has written an incisive and provocative book about the inner workings of the federal government; 17 Steps: A Federal Employee’s Guide for Tackling Workplace Discrimination, that is a must read.

A local take on Humans of New York; book launch event July 19 at Warwick's La Jolla at 7:30 p.m.

By Jennifer Coburn

May 16, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - We’ve all seen how projects like the popular blog and book Humans of New York connects people through photography. Real people are seen through a new lens as they share their life experiences. Snapshots and text serve as a means to share universal truth through unique images.

San Diego artist and photographer Jennifer G. Spencer is adding a new photographic element to this conversation with the release of her new book THE ARTIST PORTRAIT PROJECT: A PHOTOGRAPHIC MEMOIR OF PORTRAIT SESSIONS WITH SAN DIEGO ARTISTS (She Writes Press, July 12, 2018). Eleven of the artists live right here in East County, including La Mesa residents: Dottie Korn-Davis, David Beck-Brown, Suda House, Chris Lee, Polly Jacobs Giacchina, Jess Dominguez, and Mary Lynn Dominguez; El Cajon residents Ellen Phillips, Ron Tatro, and Bill Mosley; and Spring Valley resident Kim Knox.