December 15, 2009, 12 noon (El Cajon) - El Cajon Police have just issued a traffic advisory of a major road closure. Washington Avenue is closed, east and westbound, between Emerald and Magnolia Avenue's to clear and repair a downed power pole from the roadway that followed an earlier collision.

Yes, there's still time to RSVP and join East County Magazine for feasting, fun & merry-making at our HOLIDAY HOOPLA PARTY on Sunday, December 13th 2-6 p.m. in La Mesa.  Festiivities will include great food (turkey, ham and all the trimmings!), wine-tasting, prizes, games, and a rib-tickling presentation by Emmy Award-winning comedian Russ T. Nailz.

December 5, 2009 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department is offering a safe and fun camp to engage the kids during the winter break. Hillside Center will be hosting “Winter Wonderland” Day Camp for ages 6-12 on December 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30 from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm.

December 4, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Cajon Classic Cruise annual Parade of Lights Holiday car show is scheduled for Wednesday, December 9, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on downtown’s Main Street. Admission is free and this year's event will feature the East County Toy & Food Drive in cooperation with The Salvation Army. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate for needy children this holiday season.

November 23, 2009 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Music Department‘s Grossmont Symphony Orchestra, in partnership with San Diego Ballet, will present two special performances of The Nutcracker at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4, and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. The ballet will be presented at the 1,142-seat East County Performing Arts Center, 210 East Main St., in El Cajon.

November 19, 2009 (El Cajon) – The 63rd annual Mother Goose Parade, East County’s most famous holiday tradition, will be held this Sunday, November 22nd.

November 12, 2009 (El Cajon)--The Mother Goose Parade Association has announced the Grand Marshals for the 63rd Annual Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 – the “Chula Vista Park View All-Stars.”

El Cajon Citizen of the year nominations are due by close of business December 18,2009. Nominees need not be El Cajon residents, but their civic and community activities must be closely identified with the El Cajon Community.

 October 28, 2009 (El Cajon) – Moe, a Rottweiler disguised as the headless horseman, was named top dog at the El Cajon Animal Shelter’s annual pet costume contest—taking home a basketful of dog toys and treats. “I made his costume,” said Moe’s owner, Ann McCorkell of El Cajon.

Second place went to Pukall, a Chihuahua saucily dressed as a German beer maid.

October 22, 2009 (El Cajon)--The public is invited to the annual Cajon Classic Cruise Halloween Car Show, Costume Contest & Downtown “Trunk or Treat” event on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 from 5:00 to 8:00 pm in Downtown El Cajon. Admission and parking are free. Main Street will be closed to traffic in order to accommodate the cars and spectators. 

October 17, 2009 – The City of El Cajon has issued a traffic advisory for October 17, 21 and 24 due to pouring a concrete foundation for the City’s new Public Safety Center downtown.  Some streets around City Hall will be closed during the high volume concrete pour.

View a time-lapse video of construction.

CITY OF EL CAJON TERMINATES MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT WITH CHRISTIAN THEATER GROUP; POSTPONES CLOSURE UNTIL AT LEAST MID-2010 TO HONOR CONTRACTS FOR SHOWS

By Miriam Raftery

October 14, 2009 (El Cajon) – El Cajon City Council members voted unanimously yesterday to terminate its agreement effective January 1st with ArtBeat Management, a subsidiary of Christian Community Theater, which has managed the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) for the past four years. The theater is slated to close for approximately two years for renovations including a new roof, improving access for the disabled, and moving the entrance to open onto Main Street, generating traffic toward local merchants and restaurants.

At yesterday’s Council hearing, Grossmont Community Concerts Association (GCCCA) president Ron Shelby pleaded with Council members to keep the theater open through the groups’ 2010 concert season, which is sold out. “We were in panic mode because we couldn’t find any place that can accommodate all of our performances,” said Shelby.  After the hearing, he expressed gratitude that Mayor Mark Lewis pledged to honor all contracts signed by CCT, assuring Shelby that the theater will remain open at least through the end of the GCCCA season in May

The City hailed the renovation plans with a press release today proclaiming “exciting changes planned for the East County Performing Arts Center.

October 10, 2009 (El Cajon)--Do watering restrictions put a damper on your gardening enthusiasm? The City of El Cajon’s Community Development Department hosts a workshop Tuesday afternoon on how to landscape your home during this time of heightened water conservation.  To author and gardening designer Scott Calhoun, working with drought conditions is exciting and can take gardens in new unexpected directions. Hiss presentation is not just about planting tougher plants and using more efficient irrigation methods, it’s all about creating stunning beauty in harsh situations.

This class showcases some of the dynamic and thrifty strategies he uses in the hottest and driest environments in the country, and get some ideas on how to apply them in your own garden. The workshop will be held Tuesday, October 13th, in the City Council Chambers ladjacent to City Hall at 200 Civic Center Way, in El Cajon. Registration is 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and the workshop is from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Political protesters and counter-protesters raise voices at Sept. 12 rallies

September 6, 2009 (El Cajon) – Organizers of the Mother Goose Parade have voted to save East County's most cherished holiday tradition, after an outpouring of community do nations raised enough to cover a significant portion of the costs, East County Magazine has learned.