Update: A memorial service will be held on May 30th at the Garden Chapel at Greenwood Mortuary, 4300 Imperial Ave. San Diego, CA 92113. Viewing will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.with the service itself from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

East County News Service

May 9, 2018 (El Cajon) - El Cajon resident Robert D. Gardner, a video producer honored with 28 Emmy awards, died of a heart attack on May 6^th at his home.  President of Gardner Productions, he also worked at KFMB-TV, the CBS affiliate in San Diego for 17 years.

By Miriam Raftery

May 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a Taste of Julian, the Coyote Music Festival at Cuyamaca College, the Jukebox Kings in downtown El Cajon, a Salsa fiesta in Lemon Grove, Sherlock Holmes Final Adventure at Grossmont College, and the Manzanita High Rendezvous in Lake Morena.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including a Mother’s Day hike on Volcan Mountain in Julian, a salute to military families including kayaking and mountain biking at Lake Morena, a star party at Oakoasis in Lakeside, hiking in Flinn Springs, wilderness survival for families in Lake Morena, a bicycle ride and safety talk at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside, the Ramona Rodeo, the America on Main Street festival in El Cajon, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, Laurel and Hardy comedy night in Spring Valley, La Mesa’s Flag Day parade, a Secret Garden Party at St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center, Fido Fest in Santee and Santee’s summer concert series.

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

May 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• U.S. says it will separate families crossing border illegally (Reuters)
• Sessions promises prosecutions for all illegal border crossings, including asylum seekers (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Hawaii volcano eruption destroys 35 structures -- and the lava keeps flowing (CNN)
• Residents on Hawaii's Big Island flee threat of quakes, lava and toxic gas (CNN)\
• Are you owed $1,200? Maybe, if you got a Dish telemarketing call (CBS)
• Trump threatens to close U.S. Borders (Time Magazine)
• HUD Secretary Ben Carson to be sued for suspending Obama-era fair-housing rule (Washington Post)

WORLD

• Trump abandons 'defective' Iran nuclear deal, to revive sanctions (Reuters)
• U.S. Navy fleet will deploy to combat Russia's resurgence (Newsweek)
• Russian opposition leader, hundreds arrested amid anti-Putin protests (The Hill)
• Over a dozen killed in mosque blast, as violence grips Afghanistan (CNN)
• Nigeria:  Bandits slaughter 51 villagers (BBC)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

May 8, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• In veterans, even a mild case of traumatic brain injury is linked to an increased risk of dementia (Los Angeles Times)
• This retinal implant may one day cure blindness caused by macular degeneration (Los Angeles Times)
• Regular fast food eating linked to fertility issues in women (BBC)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

• Uber CEO on flying taxis, the future and taking over a company in crisis (CBS)
• Russian spies posing as ISIS threaten to kill military wives' families, evidence shows (CBS)
• Elon Musk’s SpaceX is using a powerful rocket technology. NASA advisers say it could put lives at risk. (Washington Post)
• Electric Winnebagos are coming soon (Reuters)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

May 8, 2018 (Cabazon) – If you awoke early this morning, you may have felt the earth move under your feet.  It wasn’t a bad dream.  A 4.5 earthquake struck at 4:49 a.m. 6.8 miles north of Cabazon, located about 20 miles northwest of Palm Springs in east Riverside County.

The quake was measured at 8.6 miles below the earth’s surface, the U.S. Geological Survey reports.

Many small aftershocks have also been reported. There are no immediate reports of damage.

East County News Service

May 8, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – County Parks are offering a variety of recreational opportunities coming up in East County, including a Mother’s Day hike on Volcan Mountain in Julian, a salute to military families including kayaking and mountain biking at Lake Morena, a star party at Oakoasis in Lakeside, hiking in Flinn Springs, wilderness survival for families in Lake Morena, and a bicycle ride and safety talk at Lindo Lakes in Lakeside. For details, scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

May 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – East County Art Association in El Cajon seeks entries for its “Masters of the Moment” juried art show, which will run June 1-July 13 at the Olaf Wieghorst Gallery in El Cajon. Entries will be accepted in these media: oil, acrylic, watercolor, pastel, gouache, collage, ink, pencil, mixed media, and photography.

Backcountry hidden pleasures:   Our guide to unique lodging adventures in San Diego’s beautiful backcountry

Story and most photos by Jonathan Ronald Goetz

Photo, left: Borrego Valley Inn, courtesy of Bryre Roots

Photo, right: Palm Canyon Hotel and RV Resort with renovated Western theme

May 7, 2018 (Borrego Springs) -- Borrego Springs and the surrounding Anza-Borrego Desert State Park  are among the best places in the world to see the night sky, drawing visitors from across the globe.

Borrego Valley Inn, an intimate couples-only hotel and its sister property, Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort, a Western-themed, family-friendly hotel also offering ‘50s-style vintage glamping, both provide historic charm and comfort for guests seeking affordable lodging  as well as celestial night sights.

By Michael Schwartz, Executive Director, San Diego County Gun Owners PAC

May 7, 2018 (El Cajon) -- While reading a recent  reader’s editorial in East County Magazine about a school board meeting, I was surprised the author grossly misrepresented what happened at the school board meeting. I thought about ignoring the ridiculous claims, but when misinformation gets published in a media outlet, it is important that the truth is heard. 

By Miriam Raftery

Deadly is May 31 to submit scripts for Twainfest August 18 in Old Town

May 6, 2018 (San Diego) – Victor Crosthwaite Contreras, an actor, educator and descendant of two Spanish soldiers who served at the San Diego Presidio, sat down with East County Magazine on KNSJ Radio for an interview about a script-writing competition that seeks to depict historical characters from the 1800s in our region.

Hear his interview, along with his dramatic historical interpretive reading of infamous bandito Joaquin Murrieta on whom the legend of Zorro was based, by clicking the audio link. Fior more information, scroll down.

Like our sports coverage?  Donate to help support ECM’s sports section!  Type “Sports” on the donation line!

Check out our sports section for more sports stories!

Follow @ECMagSports on Twitter for live sports coverage and stories!

By Liz Alper

Photo:  Eric Hosmer's two-run homer led the Padres to a 3-0 win.  Via @Padres on Twitter

May 6, 2018 (Monterrey, Mexico) - On their last day in Mexico, the Padres tried to take the series against the Dodgers. Ross Stripling started for LA against Eric Lauer.

Hear our interview at this audio link, or scroll down for higlights.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2018 (San Diego) – In an exclusive interview aired recently on the East County Magazine Show on KNSJ radio, Sheriff Bill Gore said San Diego is the “safest urban county in America” and touted his nine-year record, also addressing controversies. Hear the full interview at the audio link above, or scroll down for highlights.

Gore has a 44-year career in law enforcement, including serving as Assistant Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), where he helped pioneer a cyber crimes squad and joint terrorism task force. A Navy veteran raised in San Diego, he comes from a law enforcement family and is married to one of the FBI’s first women agents. His department serves the county’s unincorporated areas and contracts with nine local cities, including Lemon Grove and Santee here in East County.

By Miriam Raftery

May 6, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A garage fire in the 900 block of Maria Avenue in Spring Valley last night was caused by an illegal “honey oil” lab believed to have processed marijuana into cannabis oil, says Sergeant Michael Hetlinger with the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station. A male resident suffered burns to approximately 30% of his body and was transported to UCSD Medical Center, Sgt. Hetlinger adds.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

May 5, 2018 (San Diego) – “There's many a bestseller that could have been prevented by a good teacher.” — Flannery O'Connor (1925-1964)

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS