June 8,2023 (La Mesa)—You’re invited to enjoy Art in the Park, an evening with appetizers, drinks and entertainment starting at 4 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Garden at MacArthur Park. Socialize while viewing and bidding on artwork for sale from local artists.
Ticket sales help support La Mesa's parks and cost $35 per person. This is a 21+ event.
June 8, 2023 (Santee) – Harken back in time to the 16th century to experience the Renaissance on Saturday, June 17 in Santee. Come as you are, or dress to experience the life of a noble, knight or peasant.
You can try your hand at archery, watch fighting tournaments all day long, learn a craft, learn a dance, listen to a bardic recital, or experience a battle of the bards. Enjoy fun for the entire family – and admission is free.
Photo, left to right: Janessa Goldbeck, Paul McQuigg, Amy Reichert, Monica Montgomery Steppes
June 7, 2023 (San Diego) – Yesterday was the deadline to file papers to run in in the special election to fill the vacancy on the County Board of Supervisors in District 4 left by Nathan Fletcher’s resignation.
Four candidates qualified to appear on the ballot for the special primary election August 15. If no candidate wins a majority, a run-off between the top two vote-getters will be held Nov. 7. The qualifying candidates are:
Janessa Goldbeck, Marine veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation
Paul McQuigg, Military veteran and speaker for disabled veterans
Amy Reichert, small business owner and founder of ReOpen San Diego
Monica Montgomery Steppes, President Pro Tem of the San Diego City Council
A fifth candidate who pulled nomination papers, Lemon Grove Mayor Racquel Vasquez, has announced that she decided not to run.
Scroll down for information on the District 4 candidates.
Experience the captivating blend of art and nature at Ilan-Lael Foundation's Spring Tours, exploring visionary creations of founder James Hubbell in Santa Ysabel
Story courtesy of Ilan-Lael Foundation
Photos, left by Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery
June 7, 2023 (Santa Ysabel) - Immerse yourself in the enchanting and fantastical world of renowned artist and architect James Hubbell, founder of the Ilan-Lael Foundation at the 2023 Spring Tours. The world-famous compound will open its doors to visitors every Monday, Friday, and Saturday until June 17 with tours running at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Located in the stunning hills of Santa Ysabel, California, Ilan-Lael offers a unique and captivating experience for art and nature enthusiasts alike. Built “from the earth up” as living and working spaces for himself and his family, Hubbell spent over two decades creating the awe-inspiring structures. Despite losing four of the Ilan-Lael buildings in the 2003 Cedar Fire, Hubbell, his family, and team came back stronger and rebuilt with the help of the community. Their Spring Tours provide a rare opportunity to explore this extraordinary space, where Hubbell’s vision can be seen and felt.
June 7, 2023 (Lemon Grove)- The Lemon Grove Recreation Center will be hosting the 3rd annual 3-on-3 Trevon Harris basketball tournament on June 10, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
June 7, 2023 (Ramona) -- The rider who died yesterday afternoon in a crash while performing jumps at the Slayground Motocross Park in Ramona as been identified as Patrick Michael Casey of Riverside, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office.
A BMX champion who turned pro at age16, Casey is remembered as "an incredible BMX rider, multiple X games, Simple Session medalist, and an all-around fantastic human," Simple Session posted on Facebook. "We are heartbroken about the news and sending lots of love and prayers to his wife, Chase, his son Reid, and his daughter Taytum. This crushing news will send shockwaves through the BMX and action sports world today."
Photo: Amtrak Surfliner in San Clemente, by Steve Wilson, cc 2.0 via Wikipedia
June 7, 2023 (San Diego) – Railway tracks utilized by Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner and Metrolink trains have been shut down again, following a new landslide in San Clemente discovered early Monday morning.
Amtrak travelers from San Diego to Orange County will, however, be able to take a bus in Oceanside to bridge the gap, while Metrolink is offering stranded passengers $50 Uber vouchers to complete their trips.
June 6, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Gioia di vivere!” The joy of living is expressed in Slikworms, Lamplighters Theatre’s latest production, by local playwright Connie Terwilliger. A world premiere, Silkworms represents three generations of women. Silkworms need mulberry leaves to survive; both are interdependent. Similarly, the women in this play need each other for support and love.
The grandmother provides wisdom and guidance, the mother provides love and support and the daughter provides hope and new beginnings. Together, they form a strong and unbreakable bond that sustains them through good times and bad. Silkworms is relatable, humorous and poignant.
June 6, 2023 (Guatay) -- The parking lot sale at Heavenly Oaks Residential Community returns on Saturday, June 24 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at 26835 Old Highway 80 in Guatay (halfway between Descanso and Pine Valley.)
If you plan to go to the Run to the Hills car show that day in Pine Valley, head west 3.5 miles on Old Highway 80 to Heavenly Oaks. There will be lots of quality "garage sale" items for sale.
June 6, 2023 (Santee) -- Santee officials say it’s music to their ears – with the start of the city’s Summer Concerts taking stage on June 15th and running through August 17th.
The concerts are held at Town Center Community Park East on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (except for July 6th).
June 8, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- A Renaissance experience, the Mt. Helix Food and Wine festival, a Taste of San Diego East, a Team on a Trek challenge, concerts, comedy, the musical Grease onstage, 4tth of July celebrations and fireworks are all coming up in San Diego’s East County this summer.
Scroll down for full details on these and more festive events coming up.
June 5, 2023 (Washington D.C.) -- Representatives María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Veronica Escobar of Texas have proposed a bipartisan immigration bill, the Dignity Act of 2023. If enacted, it would provide immigrants with a path to citizenship, while also strengthening border security and phasing in e-verify requirements for employers.
Salazar, a Republican, has been working on the bill alongside Escobar, a Democrat, since December of 2022 before introducing HR 3599 in late May. View a summary of the bill on Salazar’s site.
“State-sanctioned kidnapping is not a public policy choice, it is immoral and disgusting.” – California Attorney General Rob Bonta
"The charge filed is unlawful restraint and several counts were filed, both misdemeanor and felony." -- Sheriff Javier Salazar, Bexar County, Texas
By Miriam Raftery
Photo: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, left (by Gage Skidmore, cc-sa-2.0) and California Attorney Rob Bonta,via his website
June 5, 2023 (San Diego) – Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched his campaign for President last month. But his role in shipping immigrants to other states has sparked condemnation and criminal investigations in California and Texas.
A year ago, DeSantis signed a budget that allocated $12 million to transport undocumented immigrants out of Florida, NBC news reports. Last September, DeSantis claimed credit for flying 49 asylum seekers from Texas to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, the New York Times reported. In the past week, over a dozen migrants were flown to Sacramento, California by private plane. In both instances, no care had been arranged and some migrants said they had been lured onto flights with false promises of jobs and opportunities.
June 5, 2023 (Ramona) -- The San Diego Humane Society recently posted on Facebook, “We bear-ly can contain our excitement, as two bear cubs have an incredible second chance at life in the wild after spending five months at our Ramona Wildlife Center for care and rehabilitation!”
June 6, 2023 (Wynola) -- Cal Fire leaders have warned that the heavy rains this past winter have fueled growth of brush across the backcountry, setting the stage for what could be a severe wildfire season.
But in Julian, the Wynola Estates neighborhood is working together to protect residents and their homes from wildfires.
After requiring homeowners to clear overgrown trees and shrubs from the community’s 80 properties, the Wynola Estates Fire Safe Council organized a community chipping event. Over 30 thirty residents have come together to collect foliage for chipping.
June 5, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – On May 30, Lemon Grove Mayor Raquel Vasquez picked up nomination documents from the Registrar of Voters to run for County Supervisor District 4 in the August 15 special primary election to fill the vacancy left by Nathan Fletcher’s resignation. But today, one day before the filing deadline, Mayor Vasquez announced in an e-mail to followers that she has decided not to run.
“Though I have the experience, qualifications, and ability to serve the residents of District 4, I will be taking a step back. I will continue to build consensus on other pathways to help our communities grow and prosper,” she stated. “Residents who live, work and play in Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, Casa de Oro and Lemon Grove are worthy of a leader who will invest in our communities. I wish the candidates all the best with their campaigns and look forward to working with the elected County Board of Supervisors for District 4.
June 4, 2023 (San Diego) – The outbreak of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) that started last month in San Diego County has now spread to San Bernadino as well as Riverside County. There are now 44 properties quarantined, including 28 in San Diego County, according to the latest update posted June 2, 2023 by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture.
Since the last report a week earlier, 18 new properties affected by VSV have been identified, including three new confirmed positive cases and 8 suspected cases in San Diego County.
To date, all of the premises quarantined have cases in horses or other equine species, except one property that has clinically affected cattle locally. However the disease can occur in other animals such as llamas, alpacas, pigs, sheep, goats and deer.
June 5, 2023 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
June 5, 2023 (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 a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
June 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- AnniVenti La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant owned and operated by three brothers, is now open in Lemon Grove. The restaurant is named after their family's original restaurant located just 10 miles from Palermo in Italy, where the brothers grew up working. Emanuele Gagliano, one of the brothers, says, "It's been our lifelong dream to bring the authentic tastes of Italy to Lemon Grove, and we're thrilled to share our passion for modern Italian cuisine with you."
AnniVenti La Trattoria's menu reflects the Italian heritage of the Gagliano brothers with a contemporary twist to tantalize your taste buds. Their diverse selection of dishes caters to all palates, whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner for two or a group gathering. The menu includes various antipasti, such as the crunchy pistachio burrata and the zuppa cozzee e vongole, along with a selection of salads and sides. Their primi piatti/pasta section includes dishes like the Spaghetti Vongole e Pistacchio, the Paccheri e Scampi, and the Gnocchi Sorrentina, while their entrées section features dishes like theFiletto Di Manzo, the Pollo Arrosto, and the Salmone di Bronte.
June 4, 2023 (San Diego) – Ballots will be mailed the week of July 16 for the August 15 special primary election in San Diego’s 4th Supervisorial District. This election will fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Nathan Fletcher following sexual misconduct allegations. If no candidate receives a majority vote at the primary election, then a special general election will be held on November 7, 2023.
Here are your voting options, which include mail-in, ballot drop-off boxes, and in-person voting prior to or on election day:
June 4, 2023 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to bring friends, form a team with a creative name and vie for prizes in fun challenges at stations across Grossmont Center in La Mesa on Friday, July 28 from 4 to 7 p.m. It’s all part of “Team on a Trek,” an event to raise funds for the nonprofit San Diego Oasis Learning & Wellness Centers. The fun will also include music, entertainment and awards.
What is “Team on a Trek?”
“It’s essentially an Amazing Race type of event, but for all ages and levels,” says Oasis committee member Claudia Erickson. Sponsors as well as teams are sought.
June 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove invites you to Concerts in the Park each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berry Street Park (7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove). The concerts run from June 29 through August 10.
CalMattersis a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California’s state Capitol works and why it matters
Photo: Cal Fire dispatcher Ali Wiseman and Captain Hiram Vazquez embrace during a healing session at a trauma retreat in Desert Hot Springs. Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters
June 4, 2023 (Sacramento) - A state Senate bill that would expand workers’ compensation coverage for California first responders experiencing post traumatic stress — aimed at addressing what Cal Fire officials call a mental health crisis — has cleared its first legislative hurdle and been sent to the Assembly.
June 4, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- throughout the month of June, approximately 4,746 students earning a high school diploma from nine comprehensive high schools, two charter schools, and three alternative high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District will be donning caps and gowns for commencement exercises.
Listed below are the total graduate numbers and the names of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians at each school.
Photo: East County Magazine Radio Show host Miriam Raftery, Dilkhwaz Ahmed, CEO of License to Freedom, and Bob Gan, Co-Chair of Welcome Home in San Diego
June 3, 2023 (San Diego) – San Diego is a national hub for refugees fleeing war and persecution from nations around the world. Welcome Home in San Diego and License to Freedom in El Cajon are two organizations helping people who have been legally designated as refugees.
Recently, ECM Editor Miriam Raftery interviewed Bob Gan,Co-Chair of Welcome Home locally and Dilkhwaz Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer of License to Freedom.
You can hear our full interview, originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM radio, by clicking the audio link, or scroll down for highlights to learn how you can help these nonprofit organzations welcoming new Americans.
June 2, 2023 (La Mesa)-State Assembly candidate Colin Parent kicked off his campaign for the 79th State Assembly at Bolt Brewery in La Mesa on Wednesday with approximately 35 supporters in attendance.
Parent spoke briefly to the crowd, noting that in 2016 he became the first Democrat elected to the La Mesa City Council in years. “We have accomplished a lot already,” he said.
For example, he noted that the city “broke ground earlier this year on the first 100% affordable housing project in the city in decades--right next to the trolley, right caddy corner to city hall. It’s going to create hundreds of units for low- and moderate-income families.” He added, “We also adopted some rules to make it much, much easier for homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling units (ADU) in their backyard.”
Parent also addressed equity issues, stating, ”Three years ago we decided for the first time to fly the pride flag and just this week, we fought back a proposal to eliminate that.”
Update: Due to construction on the "barrier- the WALL" organizers had to make adjustments and have the water merge at Imperial Beach by the pier on June 14. The driving access to the park will be gated. The water that was collected will still be taken/ran to the corner of Mexico and California. This was changed because this event is for everyone and easier for brothers and sisters with disabilities, according to a post on Bobby Wallace's Facebook page.
By Miriam Raftery
Photo, left: Barona tribal members with Passamaquoddy tribal members in Maine
Photo,right: via "Run with the Sun" page of indigenousnetwork.org; Bobby Wallace (right) with run participants
June 1, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- Local Native Americans are about to complete the longest indigenous prayer run in U.S. history. “Run with the Sun” is the brainchild of Lakeside resident Bobby Wallace, a member of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, in hopes of protecting waters across America.
“It’s been awesome making changes in people’s minds about water everywhere,” Wallace told ECM in an interview today. “We started running, traveling with the water over every footstep of this continent, over every major waterway, with a prayer for all water.”
The effort is supported by the Barona, Sycuan and Viejas tribes in San Diego’s East County, as well as participants from other tribes across the U.S.
June 1, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Today, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) dismissed both unfair labor practice charges that Sharp healthcare filed against SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) regarding an election in which 1500 workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa voted to form a union.
The Lemon Grove Recreation Center will be hosting the 
By Kathy Carpenter
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
East County News Service
By Miriam Raftery
June 5, 2023 (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media. This week's round-up stories include:
June 5, 2023 (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 a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:
East County News Service
June 4, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.
East County News Service
By Julie Cart, CalMatters
By Miriam Raftery
State Assembly candidate Colin Parent kicked off his campaign for the 79
Update: 
Today, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) dismissed both unfair labor practice charges that Sharp healthcare filed against SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) regarding an election in which 1500 workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa voted to form a union. 
Recent comments