July 14, 2015 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Grossmont Center and the Cushman family, to submit a Special Events application to the City for a beer garden event October 16 – 17.
Describing it as “family-friendly,” the application proposes live music, 4-5 food vendors and 3-4 sponsor tables, to be held in the parking area where Hooley Fest has been held in the past.
July 15, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - Perhaps not surprising in a city known for hosting ComiCon, San Diego State University’s Comic Arts Collection is one of the fastest growing academic comic collections on the west coast, SDSU’s news center reports.
July 14, 2015 (Sacramento) – A bill to protect grocery workers from being fired because of changes in store ownership has been approved by the full State Senate with a 22-14 vote. Assembly Bill 359, authored by San Diego Democratic Assembly member Lorena Gonzalez, previously passed the Assembly with a 46- to 27 vote and will now be submitted to Gov. Jerry Brown for signature.
July 14, 2015 (Mt. Helix) – Recently, Mt. Helix residents on the “Next Door” community forum website posted concerns after a distraught resident reported seeing a coyote kill her small Yorkie dog. Fortunately, another East County resident has offered a solution for residents who want to provide a safe outdoor area for small dogs or cats to exercise safely, without harming coyotes, which are native to our region and help control rodent populations.
By Jennifer Nickel, Legislative & Public Policy State Chairman, California Federation of Women’s Clubs
July 14, 2015 (San Diego's East County) - Thanks to early conservation efforts, vast areas of prehistoric redwoods have been protected from logging where they survive in our State despite generations of an industrial economy. These redwood forests are now under threat and help is needed if we want these ancient trees to continue into the future.
Listen to a podcast of Destination East County, originally aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.
July 16, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County features a Pop-Rock Musical Revue, Jimmie Johnson night and Mary Poppins on Mt. Helix. Plus we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Pine Valley Days, Hops and Hike on Volcan Mountain, Music in the Garden and more So stay tuned for all of these events and much, much more!
Ultimate Dance Party and ‘80s dress-up contest July 18
July 14, 2015 (San Diego) -- Visionary Youth Theatre presents another installment of “Pop Rock”, a musical revue featuring Pop and Rock celebrating music of the 80s. The performances will be held at the Visionary Performance Space (7202 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115). On July 16-18 at 7 p.m. with a matinee on July 19 at 2 p.m. The show is directed by Spencer John Powell with choreography by Mr. Powell and Ramon Montes.
This upbeat, fun, dance-heavy musical revue will have cast members rocking and popping to the sounds of the 1980’s.
July 13, 2015 (Sacramento)-- The California State Assembly today passed SCR 35 - a resolution to condemn any act of Anti-Semitism at all publicly funded schools (including University of California and California State University campuses) in the State of California.
July 13, 2015(Spring Valley) -- Local award-winning author and publicist Sarka-Jonae Miller will be answering questions about writing, marketing, and publishing books at the Casa De Oro Branch Library (9805 Campo Rd., #180, Spring Valley, 91977) on Saturday, July 18th at 10 a.m. SJ will give instructions for submitting manuscripts to her publisher Booktrope as well as offer tips about self-publishing and pursuing a traditional publishing deal.
July 12, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)--The Board of Supervisors moved this week to bolster campus safety and reduce truancies at schools in unincorporated parts of the county.
July 13, 2015 (Ramona)—The County has approved building permits for two medical marijuana collectives in Ramona, the Ramona Sentinel reports. But before the facilities can open their doors to dispense or grow medical marijuana, they must first obtain approvals from the Sheriff’s Department.
July 12, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) - El Capitan beach reopened two days ago. A news team visiting the site of California’s worst oil spill in 25 years reported no obvious signs of the catastrophe. There was a sea lion sporting in the ocean and birds on the shore. The park superintendent told them “You may still see the occasional tar ball or two, which isn't uncommon for the natural seeps here on the south coast." The reporter claimed the beach was better looking than ever. So how damaging was the Santa Barbara spill?
NOAA ocean measurements for July 1 show El Nino pattern off South America
July 12, 2015 (San Diego)--An El Niño ocean-warming cycle is strengthening in the Pacific and could produce a wet winter for drought-stricken Southern California.
July 13, 2015 (San Diego) – The 21st Century Cures Act (H.R. 6) has passed the House of Representatives by a 344 to 77 vote. Among San Diego’s representatives, Democrats Susan Davis, Scott Peters and Juan Vargas voted yes, along with Republican Duncan Hunter. Republican Darell Issa voted no. The measure now advances to the Senate.
July 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – The County has announced the recipients of $833,000 in community enhancement grants awarded in District 2, represented by Supervisor Dianne Jacob, who recommended the awards.
Arabo supports action, but criticizes effort as coming too late
East County News Service
Photo: Department of Defense, by Glenn Fawcett
July 13, 2015 (Washington D.C.) –President Barack Obama discussed his strategy to degrade and destroy the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL, also known as ISIS) in a July 6th meeting with civilian and military leaders of his national security team at the Pentagon. Afterwards he spoke with press.
Answering your questions about writing, publishing, and marketing books
By Sarka-Jonae Miller
July 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) --This week I'm happy to welcome #1 best-selling author, Caroline Fardig, to the Ask An Author column.
Caroline is the author of the Lizzie Hart Mystery series of hilarious cozy mysteries. She recently got a book deal with Penguin Random House for an upcoming mystery novel, Death Before Decaf, and she just self-published her third novel, Bad Medicine. Caroline also happens to be one of my favorite authors.
July 13, 2015 (San Diego) – A mountain lion apparently protecting her cubs startled a pair of hikers Thursday night at Mission Trails Regional Park.
Mike Smith told ECM news partner 10 News that he was wearing a head lamp on the trail when he spotted a reflection and then heard a sound like “kittens, kind of like a meowing, but loud.”
He and his friend walked toward their car, when they saw eyes staring at them. Next, a full-grown mountain lion walked out of the bushes and across the road less than 30 feet from the hikers, before heading up to high ground.
Hear our interview with Marc Stevenson on today’s East County Magazine Show on KNSJ, 89.1 FM. .The show airs from 5 to 6 p.m. and the interview is in the second half of the hour.
July 13, 2015 (San Diego’s East County)- Marc Stevenson, who is from El Cajon and is the director of Tenant Services at St Vincent De Paul Village, is a graduate of the McAlister Institute, one of San Diego’s largest and most experienced drug and alcohol treatment, and education centers. He has had a 20 year history of working with people and systems in the areas of substance abuse, mental health, criminal justice, family, and homeless social services.
Stevenson recently sat down with ECM to talk about his background and the work he has done, as well as the upcoming Walk for Sobriety set for July 18th. He and his family moved to El Cajon in the 1960’s, where he faced many struggles as he was growing up.
Update: Hear our interview on KNSJ radio with Micole Moore, Ramona Valley Vineyards Association, and Elaine Lytleton, Hatfield Creek Vineyards and Winery, here:
Are the County's proposed changes rooted in 'sour grapes' complaints filed by competitors of successful new wineries?
By Miriam Raftery
July 12, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Several years ago, the County adopted a tiered winery ordinance designed to promote agriculture and help small “boutique” winery owners. But now the County is proposing drastic changes. At a packed hearing last week, numerous winery owners and heads of vintners’ associations turned out, most warning of dire harm to the region’s wine industry if the proposal is adopted.
“Should the changes proceed as written, many fear for the death of our budding wineries, eliminating our potential growth, impact and long-term commitment to our communities,” a letter to County program manager Joseph Farace signed by Teri Kerns and Micole Moore states. Moore is president of Ramona Valley Vineyard Association, which has over 100 members. Kerns is Editor in Chief of the Ramona Valley Wine Region Magazine. Together, the couple also owns Ramona Ranch Vineyard and Winery.
July 11, 2015 (San Diego) -- This is the inaugural “What Works” column. And in this column, there will be stories and editorials that talk about what is working or ideas about how things could work. How things could work when people find ways to come together, even if those ways are tied together by a shoe string. This is about progress to its greatest degree, the very existence of forward motion. It isn’t even momentum that I’m talking about here. It is motion that brings people together for their mutual benefit, that engages them and inspires them and case-by-case builds them up.
July 11,2015 (San Diego’s East County)--Spots on tomatoes, holes in hosta leaves and wilting stems mean insects and diseases have moved into the garden. Don’t let these intruders reduce the beauty and productivity of your landscape. Work in concert with nature to prevent and control these pests and you will be rewarded with a bountiful harvest and landscape filled with beautiful blooms.
July 11, 2015 (Kensington) – For its 8th anniversary, Bleu Boheme restaurant will also commemorate Bastille Day on July 14th with a special menu ($50 fixed price) that includes choice of bouillabaisse or rack of lamb with red wine sauce, soup or salad, and choice of crepes Suzette or Pot du Crème (chocolate and cherries) for dessert.
July 10, 2015 (Rancho San Diego)—From “dog days” strolls with your canine companion to classes on turf-tossing and glass-making, a stargazing party, a wine walk and an evening of music with the San Diego Concert Band, the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has a wealth of enriching activities and events coming up later in July.
CDC warns against snuggling chickens or ducks, bringing poultry inside home
Photo credit: USDA FlickR.com, Creative Commons image by Alice Popkorn
July 10, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Across the nation, people have flocked to owning backyard chickens and other poultry. But now the Centers for Disease Control has issued a warning not to cozy up to your backyard birds. That’s because four separate Salmonella outbreaks linked to backyard flocks have sickened 181 people in 40 states, including several cases in California.
In one outbreak, CDC conducted interviews and found that 86% of the ill people had conducted with chiceks, chickens, ducks or ducklings before falling ill. Moreover, the CDC reports, “Many ill people in these outbreaks reported bringing the live poultry into their homes, and others reported kissing or cuddling with the live poultry. These behaviors increase a person’s risk of a Salmonella infection.”
Rooftop solar rules and objections to SANDAG “San Diego Forward” EIR are among key topics
East County News Service
July 11, 2015 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa City Council will meet Tuesday, July 14 at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Items of interest on the agenda include an ordinance to streamline rooftop solar applications, traffic calming measures proposed for Harbinson Avenue, and a letter to SANDAG regarding the regional draft Environmental Impact Report San Diego Forward. Appointments to City commissions will also be made.
Despite controversy over violent crimes, new immigrants commit crimes at lower rate than citizens, Pew Research finds
By Miriam Raftery
July 11, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (R-Alpine) has announced plans to introduce a bill that would cut federal funds to any city, county or state that has enacted laws to prevent enforcement of federal immigration law, Times of San Diego reports.
The measure comes in response to the fatal shooting of Kate Steinle at the San Francisco waterfront by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an undocumented immigrant with five prior felony arrests. San Francisco, a sanctuary city, did not notify federal officials of Sanchez’s release despite pending deportation orders. Mean while San Francisco’s mayor has announced plans to cooperate with the federal government for deportation of immigrants with a history of violent crimes—a small percentage of the total immigrant population.
July 10, 2015 (Santee) --- Four players and a pair of alternates from the San Diego Stars semipro baseball team have been named to represent the South Division to the annual Western Baseball Association All-Star Game.
The contest is slated for this Saturday (July 11) at San Manual Stadium on the San Manual Indian Reservation in Highland, Calif., located off Interstate 210 just east of San Bernardino.
By Kristin Kjaero
Rooftop solar rules and objections to SANDAG “San Diego Forward” EIR are among key topics 
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