February 14, 2010 (La Mesa)—A groundbreaking will be held Wednesday, February 17 at 11:30 a.m. for improvements including an elevator tower, stairs, and a pedestrian bridge connecting the Grossmont Transit Center trolley stop and residential community to Grossmont Shopping Center shops and nearby businesses.

February 10, 2010 (Santee)—If you’re a Santee resident who would like to represent your city as a community ambassador and be eligible for scholarships, the Miss Santee Contest wants to hear from you. The competition is open to women ages 13-26. (Girls ages 6-12 should contact pageant officials for information on the Santee Princess Program.) Entry is free! Deadline is February 21st.

February 9, 2010 (El Cajon) - The City of El Cajon Teen Coalition presents a “Youth of the Year” Award to recognize youth who go above and beyond in serving their community, either through leadership abilities and/or community service in El Cajon.

The City offers these eligibility guidelines:

GROUP WILL SERENADE YOUR SWEETHEART FEB 12-14:  LIVE OR ON THE PHONE!

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)--People with dogs often struggle to find the time to exercise themselves and their dogs.However, at the newly expanded Leash Your Fitness (LYF) boot camp classes for humans and dogs, pet owners can accomplish exercise for both--all at one time.

Customers Urged to Enroll in Assistance, Energy-efficiency Programs

January 20, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) – A grand opening is slated for April at the McGrath Family YMCA, 12012 Campo Road in Rancho San Diego, 9. The East County Family YMCA is offering special discounts to the first 1,000 people who sign up as charter members.

The Salvation Army Kroc Center is opening its doors to the community for FREE on Saturday, January 9. Guests can take guided tours, and enjoy special membership savings as well as a free all-venue pass for the day.  Visitors can also experience skateboarding, ice skating, rock climbing, swimming, fitness classes, weight lifting, arts and crafts, an acting workshop and more. 

December 29, 2009 (El Cajon) -- If you are a current homeowner, or have questions on becoming a first time homebuyer, plan to attend the 5th Annual East County Homeownership Fair on Saturday, January 16, 2010 in El Cajon. The free event will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center located at 195 East Douglas Avenue, in Downtown El Cajon.

December 27, 2009 (Spring Valley) – The San Diego County Sheriff’s office has opened up a new storefront at 9736 Campo Road in the Casa de Oro neighborhood in Spring Valley. The purpose of the storefront is to “enhance the partnership between the community and the Sheriff’s Department,” according to a release issued by  Sheriff Bill Gore (photo, left).

Our"Holidays in East County"  section covers  holiday events through New Year's, shopping and money-saving tips, recipes, crafts,  and more. View our  HOLIDAYS IN EAST COUNTY section--plus find great discounts in our HOLIDAY COUPON SECTION.

December 9, 2009 (San Diego)--Thanks to a $207,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) will improve child safety by offering vehicle protection education and providing 2,000 child car seats to low-income families.

Funding for “Keep ‘Em Safe” comes from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

December 7, 2009 (Alpine) – San Diego East  Visitors Bureau celebrated the grand opening last week of its new office in the Viejas Outlet Center in Alpine. The site is an official California Welcome Center, providing information for tourists on attractions in East County and the San Diego region.
 

“This is the first California Welcome Center ever opened on tribal lands,” said Charlie Brown, director of Viejas Community Relations.

November 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – Originally slated for demolition, the newly renovated San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s El Cajon Transit Center was reopened Wednesday.

CPI will analyze San Diego County data

October 29, 2009 (San Diegoi)--In a watershed moment for government transparency, the first reports from recipients of stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) will be made public Friday, Oct. 30.