Source: Ilan Lael Foundation

Cover photo credit:  Michael Gerdes and Chris Henry

May 16, 2018 (Wynola) -- The Ilan-Lael Foundation, a nonprofit organization in Wynola, will host its annual Father’s Day Open House and Studio Tour on Sunday, June 17^th.

Just three miles west of Julian, this picturesque spot with views of the Volcan and Cuyamaca Mountains is home to renowned artist James Hubbell.  Between the late 1950’s – 1960’s, using natural local materials, James designed and constructed a handful of artistic buildings that became his family’s home, now a designated historic landmark.

By Miriam Raftery

June 12, 2018 (Arlington, Va.) — Two of the best-selling mid-size SUVs were found to have serious and life-threatening safety problems for passengers and drivers including head injuries in crash tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Source: International Rescue Committee

Donate to help the IRC’s effort to help volcano victims. Click here.

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) -- San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is supplying relief aid to victims of the devastating volcano eruption in Guatemala. The Fuego volcano pushed high-velocity flows of gas, ash, and lava down its slopes, destroying villages in its wake and killing at least 110 people. Hundreds are still missing and thousands are displaced. The volcano continues to erupt and more evacuations have been ordered.

Does photo released by Germany’s Chancellor show a bold president standing up for U.S. interests, or a petulant outsider betraying America’s strongest allies and being scolded by a powerful woman leader?  It all depends on your perspective.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Jesco Denzel, posted by German Chancellor Angela Merkel via Instagram

June 12, 2018 (Berlin) – Hours after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a news conference that leaders of all seven nations at the G-7 summit signed a communique agreeing on a broad range of economic and foreign policy goals, a statement affirmed other allied leaders, President Donald Trump sent tweets aboard Air Force One blasting apart the reputed deal. Trump accused Trudeau of “false statements” and said he has instructed Congress “not to endorse the Communique.”

Further frustrating allies, Trump also called for Russia to be readmitted to the G-7. Russia was kicked out for its backing of the Crimean invasion, a violating of international law, the New York Times reports.

By Miriam Raftery

June 11, 2018 (Julian/San Diego) – The Julian Firefighter Association invites you to a spaghetti dinner fundraiser on Saturday, June 16^th at the Fire House Museum (1572 Columbia St.) in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy district.  Doors open at 5 p.m. with dinner at 6:30 p.m. at an evening that honors Fire Captain Dave Southcott and other volunteers.

By Allison Bray, Environmental Health Specialist, County of San Diego Vector Control

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) -- Mosquito season is here once again; are you ready? San Diego is home to mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus, as well as to a recent invader, Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Aedes aegypti is non-native and has been spreading throughout San Diego County since at least 2015. It can transmit viruses that cause serious diseases including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Fortunately, there have been no locally-acquired mosquito-transmitted cases of these diseases in the county. Two other invasive Aedes mosquitoes have also been detected in the county, Aedes albopictus and Aedes notoscriptus; collectively, all three are called “invasive Aedes.”

By José A. Álvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) - The County is looking for 1,049 chronically homeless people who frequently use emergency rooms for medical treatment, resulting in high Medi-Cal costs.

These people, identified in 2016, are being sought to be a part of Whole Person Wellness, a County program that will help them find a home and give them access to behavioral and physical health services, saving millions in Medi-Cal costs.

East County News Service

City has had 20 fatalities and 205 injury collisions with pedestrians in the past three years

June 11, 2018 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department will step up pedestrian safety enforcement operations in the month of June, focusing on collision causing factors involving motorists and pedestrians.  Routine traffic patrols will focus efforts in trouble spots, while special targeted patrols will also be deployed to crackdown on drivers and pedestrians who violate traffic laws meant to protect all roadway users, says Lieutenant Steve Kirk.

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State, in conjunction with the Mountain West has announced the women’s basketball league schedule for the 2018-19 season.

The conference format will remain the same with each team playing eight of the other 10 teams twice and playing two opponents once. This season, San Diego State will not play Wyoming at home and will not travel to play at Colorado State.

East County News Service

June 11, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The city of El Cajon’s Recreation Department invites you to enjoy 10 free Summer Movies in the Park from June 16 through August 18 at various parks throughout the City of El Cajon! 

By Miriam Raftery

June 9, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – The Trump administration is asking a court to strike down a provision in the Affordable Care Act which requires insurance companies to cover people with pre-existing conditions, the Los Angeles Times reports.

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove residents are invited to the 2018 Lemon Grove Summer Kick Off Event and Community BBQ on Monday, June 11 from 3-5 p.m. at Lemon Grove Recreation Center (3131 School Lane.).

Kick off your summer in style with friends and family and enjoy live music from DJ BodyRawk, participate in activities at the Recreation Center, win prizes and learn about fun summer programs and events for kids in Lemon Grove. A free BBQ meal will be provided to every guest.

Our guide to unique lodging and adventures in San Diego's beautiful backcountry.

Photo, left: Courtesy: Ayres Lodge Alpine

Photo, right, by Jonathan Goetz

Story and most photos by: Jonathan Ronald Goetz

June 10, 2018 (Alpine) – The Ayres Lodge Alpine is a friendly, well-maintained hotel with old West feel and modern appeal It’s located just off Interstate 8 at Tavern Road in Alpine, gateway to the Cuyamaca Mountains, Cleveland National Forest, local lakes and other backcountry adventure areas. Alpine is in San Diego's East County, within 30 to 45 minutes from downtown and coastal areas.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: ECM news partner 10 News

June 11, 2018 (San Diego) – Nationally, the debate over how to stop school shootings has included proposals ranging from tighter gun control laws to arming teachers.  Some states have allowed the latter, but not California, where a new state law effective January 1^st prohibits bringing guns on campus statewide except for law enforcement personnel, educational or sports uses. 

Despite this legal impediment, the San Diego County Gun Owners, a political action committee, held a firearms training class for teachers on Sunday at Discount Gun Mart in San Diego. According to ECM news partner 10 News, about a dozen attendees showed up.