By Miriam Raftery

February 21, 2018 (Santa Ysabel) – You’re invited to step back in time and enjoy an authentic 1805-1840s Rocky Mountain fur trader’s encampment March 9-18 at the Mataguay Scout Reservation in Santa Ysabel.  Visit part of our historic past by attending a fun, educational and exciting mountain man rendezvous.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 21, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes Seussical, the Musical in Spring Valley’s Encore Theatre, Hawk Watch in Ramona, the Boots Ball in Borrego Springs, Gregory Page at Mission Trails, and the St. Patrick’s Day Half Marathon in El Cajon.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions, including a First Fridays art show at 2Create Gallery in Ramona, the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Circle of Art in Borrego Springs, Tomatomania at the Garden, the Alaskan String Band at Kroc Center, the Bunny Train at the Campo Depot, Spring Extravaganza at Santee Lakes, Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa and a night of Laurel and Hardy comedy films in Spring Valley, all in March.

April’s events include Julian Gold Rush Days, Julian Family Fiddle Camp, Sweet Pea Days and an antique show at Summers Past Farms in Flinn Springs, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s 25^th anniversary party, the season opening of Cajon Classic Cruises in El Cajon, and Musical Journeys, a spring concert presented by the San Diego Festival and Chorus.

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

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 20, 2018 (San Diego) – Earthquake warning systems have been proven effective in Japan, Taiwan and Mexico, where residents received warnings ranging from a few seconds to a minute before major earthquakes struck. 

Even a short warning can be enough to save lives at hospitals, airports, power plants, schools and other locations.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

February 20, 2018 (La Mesa) - Helix High boys basketball is in the playoffs again.  Tonight, they hosted round one of the CIFSDS Division 1 playoffs against Cathedral Catholic.  The Dons just barely squeezed into the playoffs with a 12-13 record overall and a 7-5 record in league.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Cheri Robertson and Vicki Shepperd Chin

February 20, 2018 (El Cajon) - Gun violence was at issue on Monday, President's Day, to protesters outside of Congressman Duncan D. Hunter Jr.'s office in El Cajon. Approximately 25 people showed up to hold signs and an American flag to protest Hunter's acceptance of National Rifle Association (NRA) money and his opposition to gun safety legislation.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

February 20, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – The U.S. Supreme Court has refused to hear a challenge by gun rights advocates to California’s law requiring a 10-day cooling off period before buying a new gun. 

The CalGuns Foundation’s lawsuit contended that the waiting period violated the 2^nd Amendment and was unreasonable, since it applied even to people who already owned other guns. A lower court agreed. However, an appeals court rejected those claims and the Supreme Court allowed the appellate decision upholding California’s law to stand.

By Miriam Raftery, East County Magazine

Photo cc by Fabrice Florin

You can sign up to join or lead a march in your community at www.MarchForOurLives.com.

February 20, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida have a message for lawmakers and the national media in the wake of a mass shooting that killed 17 people on their campus last week.

By Paul Kruze

February 18, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The El Cajon City Council on Tuesday continued to address issues concerning the city’s growing homeless population, such as considering signs to direct the homeless to resources. 

Updated with box scores

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Story and photo by Liz Alper

February 18, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State softball is...struggling, to say the least.  They’re 1-8 on the young season, but things don’t seem to be getting better.  Now, in the final game of the Campbell-Cartier Classic, they had a chance to redeem themselves against CSU Fullerton.

World Series champion ex-Royal heads to San Diego

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By Liz Alper

Photo via theathletic.com

February 17, 2018 (San Diego) - We've heard it for two years.  Rebuilding.  Rebuilding.  Rebuilding.  And we never believed it.

We believe it now.

Late tonight, the Union Tribune reported that ex-Kansas City Royal and 2015 World Series champion first baseman Eric Hosmer is headed to the Padres.

By Michelle Mowad, County of San Diego Communications Office

February 17, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Take a fresh approach to your wedding ceremony and say “I do” in a park. From romantic country meadows to bayfront ocean views or rustic ranchos, San Diego County Parks and Recreation has a wide array of outdoor spaces for wedding ceremonies and receptions in every part of the county.

With venue fees starting at $105, County parks are not only a beautiful option, but a budget-friendly one, too! To tour event spaces or make reservations, contact Parks at (858) 565-3600.

Here are just a few of the scenic spaces to exchange vows. Find the complete list of venues online.

February 17, 2018 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to our Mardi Gras dinner party benefit for East County Magazine!

Join us Wednesday, February 28 at 6 p.m. at the award-winning San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room (8364 La Mesa Blvd.) in La Mesa for a catered New Orleans Cajun/Creole dinner and festivities -- all for just $28 (leap year pricing on leap day!).  

$28 price includes tax, tip, Mardi Gras mask, beads, New Orelans dinner and a glass of wine

RSVP required by Feb. 21 as we must guarantee a number and prepay the caterer.

There will also be opportunity drawings, a silent auction, games and prizes galore! Scroll down or click “read more” for the delicious details.

By Miriam Raftery

February 16, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – It’s official:  Russia actively worked to sabotage American democracy and put Donald Trump in the White House.

Today, Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller released copies of indictments filed against 13 Russians and three Russian entities on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States and other charges ranging from bank fraud to identity theft in their quest to violate laws that prohibit foreigners from spending money to influence U.S. elections.  Read the full indictment here.

The indictment language is damning, documenting how the Russian organization Internet Research Agency plotted “information warfare against the U.S.” paid for in Russian rubles at a budget of $1.25 million a month. 

Russians posing as Americans used social media to post positive information on Trump and negative information,  much of it false, disparaging other candidates opposing Trump including Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz and Hillary Clinton.  They also organized pro-Trump and anti-Clinton marches and rallies in the U.S.

They were aided by at least 100 U.S. citizens and and communicated with members of the Trump campaign, the indictment makes clear, and funneled illegal contributions into electing Trump.  At least some of those contacts were "unwitting."

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Jose Estrada from Cal rans presents Dan Russell with an award in appreciation of his tireless efforts

February 15, 2018 (Pine Valley/Campo) – Dan Russell worked 27 years for the San Diego Fire Department. Now he’s a local hero for a different reason – working tirelessly to clean up trash along Interstate 8 and other roadways in East County.

“I’ve been doing it now for 12 years,” says Russell.  “I would say I average five hours a day, six days a week.  I pick up just under a thousand pounds a month…real close to 10,000 pounds a year; over 100,000 pounds since I got started.”