story courtesy Grossmont College

October 17, 2013 (El Cajon) -- With a statewide earthquake drill known as the "Great California Shakeout" planned for 10:17 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 17, panelists in Grossmont College's Griffin Center told students last week, where to expect earthquakes to repeatedly happen, how to best be prepared for them, and what it is like to experience their devastation.  Many of these tips are included in the story below.

The panel was a precursor to the Oct. 17 drill in which students, faculty and staff will be advised that in the event that they are inside a building during a real earthquake, they should drop to the floor, get under and hold onto a desk or a table, and cover their heads to prevent materials shaken loose from falling on them.  The Oct. 17 drill will last approximately two minutes after which normal classroom activities will resume.

Kaboom! and New City Seal/Logo/Motto in works

By Janis Mork

October 11, 2013 (El Cajon)- At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Mayor Mark Lewis made a request to rename East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) to El Cajon Performing Arts Center. Lewis insisted, “Now is the time to name it, because we’re in El Cajon..”

At the suggestion of Mayor Pro Tem Bill Wells, however, Council opted to delay a decision until mid-2014, when a manager for ECPAC is expected to be in place.

El Cajon's Fire Safety Expo Is October 12        

October 6, 2013 (El Cajon) -- It’s all about safety at the annual El Cajon Fire Safety Expo on Saturday, October 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 100 E. Lexington Avenue. This event celebrates Fire Prevention Week and brings to the community a wide variety of safety and health information.

Meet firefighters and police officers from the City of El Cajon and see Police & Fire K-9 demonstrations.   Kiwanis Club of East San Diego County will be giving away free kids safety helmets (while supplies last), and Home Depot is back with their children’s safety workshop. See over 40 exhibits addressing important issues such as fire safety, disaster preparedness from the Office of Emergency Services and Heartland Fire & Rescue.

September 26, 2013 (El Cajon) – The City of El Cajon will be hosting a community meeting for El Cajon’s America on Main Street, a new City special event.  This community meeting will be held on Monday, September 30, at 5:30 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 East Douglas Avenue

El Cajon’s America On Main Street will be on Saturday, June 14, 2014, which is also recognized as National Flag Day. The event will include American and ethnic foods, live entertainment on two stages, displays and more.  For more information please call (619) 441-1754 or visit us online at www.cityofelcajon.us.

By Miriam Raftery

September 25, 2013 (El Cajon) --  El Cajon's City Council has given a green light to getting rid of red light cameras, voting on Tuesday to shut them down permanently.

Back in February, El Cajon’s Council voted to temporarily halt using the city’s 10 Redflex red light cameras while a six month study was conducted to see if there was any impact on safety. The cameras have been covered up since February 27.

September 19, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Four children and two adults are staying with family members temporarily after an attic fire damaged their two-story home at 930 Prescott Avenue in El Cajon this afternoon. 

Quick action by fire crews from Heartland Fire & Rescue in El Cajon and La Mesa, along with firefighters from Cal Fire, kept the fire from reaching neighboring homes.  Heartland Fire reports the fire was knocked down in less than 20 minutes.   The damage was mostly to the attic and roof area.

Introductory club training for swimmers ages 6 to 18  

September 12, 2013 (El Cajon) – East County parents who have been looking for an inexpensive and fun way to involve their children in year-round club swimming now have that opportunity. Heartland Swim Association, East County's premier swim club, is offering a Fall Special Program at special introductory pricing.

Registration is $275 for swimmers between the ages of 6 to 18 and covers practices four to five days a week through December 15.   There is also a $60 fee for membership in USA Swimming.

September 10, 2013 (El Cajon) – The 15th Annual All Fore R.E.C Golf Tournament, Dinner & Auction is September 20 at the Sycuan Golf Resort, 3007 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon.  The Shotgun Start is at 12 p.m.  This event is presented by the City of El Cajon Recreation Department and Crest Kiwanis Club to support recreational activities for East County youth.

September 10, 2013 (El Cajon) – On September 8 at 3:13 p.m., Lemon Grove Sheriff’s deputies received a call of a residential burglary in progress at a home in the 1800 block of Granite Hills Dr., in unincorporated El Cajon. The homeowner reported that an unknown male suspect jumped out of a window to his home and fled in a black Ford Taurus northbound on Granite Hills Drive.

September 4, 2013 (El Cajon) – Friends of East County Arts, Inc. presents “Fashion Artistry” on Thursday September 12, 2013, at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, located at 195 East Douglas Avenue in El Cajon. 

Festivities begin with an 11:00 a.m. check-in, followed by a silent auction, and an opportunity drawing at 12:00 p.m.  The annual luncheon and fashion show will be featuring fashions by Draper’s & Damon’s and Chico’s. The cost is $65 per person.  For reservations, please contact Margie Hartman at (619) 440-2449. Proceeds will go to support fine arts and artists in the East San Diego County area.

August 28, 2013 – The fall series of the San Diego County Library Acoustic Showcase begins in September with 3 East County concerts throughout the month.  The Showcase series offers a variety of San Diego’s best singer/songwriters, folk music performers and story tellers.  The concerts are free to the community.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2013 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Council will consider an ordinance to restrict alcohol sales at its next meeting on August 27.

The law aims to restrict sales of single-serve alcohol containers to individuals with repeated arrests for alcohol-related offenses.  The law would not affect restaurants or bars.  It would restrict sales at future stores and would also require current stores to comply with the law. 

August 11, 2013 (El Cajon ) – Gas thieves have drained the tanks of at least five vehicles in El Cajon over the past week, 10 News reports.  The gas was stolen out of SUVs and Chevy trucks, vehicles with large gas tanks.   

Similar thefts have occurred in May and in the prior year, fueled by the high cost of gasoline.

August 6, 2013 (El Cajon) – Grossmont College’s Adult Reentry Program will host “A Daring Adventure,” a free orientation for adults interested in returning to school, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. tomorrow in Griffin Gate (Building 60).  

August 1, 2013 (San Diego's East County) – On Tuesday, August 6, the El Cajon Police Department will be holding a National Night Out community event in the parking lot of the El Cajon Police Station located at 100 Civic Center Way from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Enjoy a wide variety of booths and displays from numerous organizations offering health and safety information with a special emphasis on ways you can better protect your family, your home and your vehicle.  Emergency vehicles will be on display and there will be a K-9 demonstration. For more information, please call (619) 579-4227.