By Miriam Raftery

July 14, 2018 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Fire Protection District’s Engine 15 firefighters took time today to help out a veteran in Spring Valley show his patriotic spirit.

Human rights leader is an organizer of hate crimes forum July 17 in El Cajon

By Mimi Pollack

July 14, 2018 (El Cajon) -- As the executive director of CSA-Center for Social Advocates, Estela de los Rios cares about the well-being of the community. She also has a strong sense of justice, which she developed at an early age. As a human rights activist, she strives to make the world a better place and doesn’t want others to feel the pain of discrimination, something she herself has faced in her life.

CSA is a place where people can come and voice their concerns. It is made up of six agencies that provide community services to East County, including fair housing, immigrant and refugee rights, civic engagement, hate crimes, and human trafficking. It is a place that in her words, “embraces newcomers and community.”

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By Liz Alper

Photo:  Austin Hedges hit the RBI double that we thought would give the Padres the win.  Turned out the Padres had some Padres'ing to do.  Via @Padres on Twitter

July 13, 2018 (San Diego) - After failing against the Dodgers, the Padres were ready to take a break from the NL West and take on an NL Central team in the Cubs before the All-Star break.  Tyler Chatwood started for Chicago against Clayton Richard.

East County News Service

July 13, 2018 (El Cajon) – This sunrise looks like it was taken in the tropics.  But it was actually shot at daybreak in El Cajon. Thanks to photographer Robert Gehr for sending in his image.

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By Liz Alper

Photo:  Wil Myers started the Padres' rally that would fall flat in the seventh.  Via @Padres on Twitter

July 12, 2018 (San Diego) - Tonight was the Padres’ last chance to split the Dodgers after losing last night.  Ross Stripling started for the Dodgers against Tyson Ross.

Source: Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

July 12, 2018 (Alpine) - A public hearing about the storm water management plan for the proposed Rancho Sierra residential subdivision in Alpine will be held on Friday, July 20, in San Diego.

The County of San Diego has set the hearing for its 9 a.m. session in the County Operations Center Chambers at 5520 Overland Ave.

Two of the transfers come from 2018 NCAA tournament teams

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

July 12, 2018 (San Diego) - The San Diego State softball team has added three collegiate transfer pitchers to the program, head coach Kathy Van Wyk announced today. Two of the three - MJ James (Patrick Henry HS/Ohio State) and Hannah Johnson (La Habra HS/Cal State Fullerton) - were on teams that made the 2018 NCAA tournament, while Alicia Garcia (Mira Mesa HS) starred at nearby Palomar College.

By Chris Whipple

July 12, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Living in the back country provides many people a little bit of paradise that could never be found in a city.   Unfortunately, the worry about wildfires have caused lifetime residents to view their homes in the new light of "defensible space,” "insurance" and "preparedness.”  This is first of two articles to allow families to have "peace-of-mind" if disaster should strike. 

When Thunder Roars Head Indoors!

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

July 12, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - We’ve seen them this week and we will continue to notice large cumulous clouds forming around southern California. This ‘monsoonal pattern’ is produced by an area of high pressure over the four corners. The clockwise flow draws moisture into southern California from the south. These clouds can produce lightning, thunder, hail and heavy rain reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna.

UPDATE: WALK-INS ARE WELCOME! BUT PLEASE RSVP.

July 4, 2018 (El Cajon) -- You're invited to our next East County Dining Club event, which benefits our nonprofit East County Magazine and our East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts.  

Please join us in a Mediterranean Feast on Sunday, July 15 at 1 p.m. at Eat a Pita! (1255 Avocado Road in the Vons shopping center at Chase and Avocado in  El Cajon).

$28 INCLUDES: Mediterranean feast!  Beef kebab, chicken kebab/souvlaki, falafel, dolmas (stuffed grape leaves), rice, Greek salad, pita bread and hummus, tax, tip, beer or wine, soft drink & refill, & 1 opportunity drawing ticket. Prizes include restaurant gift certifictes, a night's stay at Triple H Ranch Bed and Breakfast in Lakeside, jewelry, cookbooks, novels, Kamp's Propane gift certificate, ladybug planter, Prete-a-Porter Salon haircut, Club Pilates class and more!

RSVP BY JULY 10 for earlybird prize drawing: editor@eastcountymagazine.org   or 619-698-7617.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Biogas pipes, creative commons image via Vortexrealm

July 11, 2018 (Lakeside) – The project team for a proposed project to convert food scraps to energy will host a drop-in session for community member on Thursday, July 19 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Community Center. The team will be on hand to answer questions, hear input and provide information – along with pie and coffee.

East County News Service

July 11, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes open house at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, Lemon Grove’s concerts in the parks, class cruises in downtown El Cajon, Decades Flashback onstage in Santee, pus live music at Wine Works and Centifonti’s in la Mesa.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including Pine Valley Days, a Sip of Julian, Gregory Page in concert at the Water Conservation Garden and a local Laurel and Hardy fan club’s 40^th anniversary film celebration in Spring Valley.

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

East County News Service

July 11, 2018 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host “Healthy Bones and Fall Prevention,” a program about bone health and steps to prevent a fall, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, July 25. The program is part of the library’s “Wellness Wednesday” series, normally held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Admission is free. Light refreshments will be served. Advance RSVP is not necessary. Handouts will be available.

Source:  Sempra Energy

July 10, 2018  (San Diego) – Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE) today announced that it is commencing concurrent offerings (the equity offerings) of $1.1 billion of shares of its common stock in connection with the forward sale agreements described below (from Sempra’s press release) and $500 million of shares of its Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, each in a separate registered public offering, subject to market and other conditions.