Source:  SANDAG and Caltrans

August 30, 2017 (San Diego) - Officials opened to the public today a key bikeway connection in San Diego that provides a protected bike lane parallel to State Route 15. The new bike route established a safe and convenient connection between Mission Valley and the Mid-City communities, including City Heights, Kensington-Talmadge, and Normal Heights, while eliminating challenges that riders have had to cope with on other routes including high-speed traffic and long, difficult hills.

The American Red Cross will collect donations in Aztec Village

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

August 30, 2017 (San Diego) - The American Red Cross will be on site for San Diego State football’s season opener against UC Davis on Saturday, Sept. 2, collecting donations for those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

The American Red Cross will be accepting cash donations in Aztec Village, which is located in parking areas C1/D1 at San Diego Stadium. Aztec Village is open from 2:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes the Julian Grape Stomp, Barona Powwow, Descanso Deep Pit Barbecue, and the Julian Arts Guild Fall Show.

Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Oktoberfests in La Mesa and El Cajon, the Ramona Grape Stomp, Alley Cat Artwalk in El Cajon, the Sycuan Powwow, Julian Apple Festival, Apple Tea Time, the hot new dance show Bamboozled, a Twilight Tasting at the Trails, an International Day of Peace celebration in La Mesa, Julian Music Festival, a reception with artist Jack Jordan, Lakeside River Park Conservancy’s Once in a Blue Moon Gala, Laguna Mountain Rendezvous, Kids Care Fest in Lakeside, and more.

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

East County News Service

August 29, 2017 (Spring Valley) – Jaquan Ramsay, 30, has been arrested for allegedly shooting a woman in Spring Valley this afternoon.  The victim, described by authorities as a black female adult, suffered a gunshot wound to her right hand and left arm.

By Valerie Watts

August 29, 2017 (Lakeside) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District presents its Kids Care Fest Saturday, October 14 from 9 a.m.to 1 p.m. at the Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview Street in Lakeside.  This event will offer FREE checkups and health information as well as safety demonstrations and fun activities for the whole family.  This year there will be dental and vision screenings and flu shots (while supplies last),   The District hasn’t forgotten the adults--they can have their cholesterol and blood pressure checked.  To alleviate the sting of the flu shots,  the kids can ride ponies, climb a wall or participate in other fun activities.  For more details and to see a video of last year's event, go to kidscarefest.org.  You can also get more information by calling 619-825-5050.

East County News Service

August 29, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) has awarded a $20,000 grant to the East County Transitional Living Center (ECTLC). The grant will provide transportation to medical and dental appointments, along with prescription pick-up, for some of the 400 men, women and children who are served daily by ECTLC, an El Cajon-based community services nonprofit.

The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself, by Stephen Martin Kohn, ESQ (Lyons Press, Guilford, Connecticut, 2017, 550 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

“You can’t fix something if you don’t know it’s broken. That’s just common

sense.”

-          Senator Charles Grassley, July 30^th 2015 – Whistleblower Day Celebration

August 29, 2017 (San Diego) - Stephen Martin Kohn, nationally acclaimed expert on whistleblower law, has written a provocative book on an issue that seems timely in this day and age; The New Whistleblower’s Handbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Doing What’s Right and Protecting Yourself.

This book resonates with me for a number of reasons, most notably, as Kohn indicates that he dedicates the book to one of his “extraordinary teachers”, A. Leon Higginbotham Jr., whom I met many years ago at an event in my hometown of Chicago, and Mr. Higginbotham signed and autographed his book to me stating; “Keep fighting for justice!” Also, my earlier personal involvement in a whistleblower and retaliation case.

By Miriam Raftery

August 18, 2017 (El Cajon) – Works by Jack Jordan, a distinguished El Cajon artist, art teacher and former art director of the Evening Tribune, will be displaced at the Olaf Wieghorst Museum (131 Rea Ave.) in El Cajon from September 9-28, with a reception on September 9 from 5:30 to 7 p.m.  This is a benefit event to honor Jordan and raise funds for the aging artist’s medical expenses.

East County News Service

Photo:  H. Dail Rankin, January 24, 1944 – June 14, 2017

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) A memorial service will be held for H. Dail Rankin on Friday, September 8^th at 2:30 p.m. at Mirror Lake in Greenwood Cemetery (4300 Imperial Ave, San Diego, CA 92113).

East County News Service

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) -- Kiwanians in East County are hitting the trail come September – at least the trails at Mission Trails Regional Park.

Members of the Kiwanis Clubs of Lake Murray, La Mesa and Fletcher Hills are combining their efforts to raise funds for their youth scholarships and community sponsorships by presenting “Twilight Tasting at the Trails” from 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday, September 9.

Enough electric resources have been secured to meet increased demand

Source:  SDG&E

August 28, 2017 (San Diego) – As triple-digit temperatures approach San Diego over the next several days, San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) is sharing energy-savings tips to ensure customers have the latest tools and resources to make smart energy choices and save money. While SDG&E is operationally prepared to meet energy demand and there is no formal call for conservation at this time, SDG&E is reminding customers that making small changes to save energy can help avoid high bills caused by increased energy use.

By Tom Christensen, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 28, 2017  (San Diego) -- The ongoing hepatitis A outbreak in San Diego County has claimed 14 lives and hospitalized 264 people among the reported 352 cases.

Approximately 70 percent of the cases have been among people who are homeless, use illicit drugs or a combination of those two factors.

By Jonathan Goetz

Photos credited to Mary Ann Prall

August 27, 2017 (El Cajon) - Sarah Ramirez, Director of the El Cajon Recreation Department, retired earlier this month. She started with the department as an intern in 1980 and over her career, led efforts to transform recreational opportunities for residents and oversee major public events to “rebrand” El Cajon and revitalize downtown, according to a proclamation issued by the Mayor.

She was honored at this month’s El Cajon City Council Meeting, and as is her style, she shared credit with her staff and her family for what she called her “incredible journey.”

The new Director of Recreation in El Cajon is Frank Carson. According to his LinkedIn Profile, he has experience with 25 years in Parks & Recreation, with 20 years serving in a supervisory capacity, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. He worked as a Recreation Supervisor for the City of Chula Vista from 2003-2013 and as a Recreation Manager for the City of El Cajon since 2013.

The full text of the commendation for Ramirez and her speech is below: