• Mayor: City’s structural deficit over (10 News)
• San Diego has most expensive gas in nation (UT San Diego)
• Low rainfall may mean more local conservation (10 News)
• Get to know new District 9 candidates: Speak City Heights (Voice of San Diego)
• Teen struck by trolley was becoming ‘man of integrity’ mentor says ; has shown improvement from brain injury (La Mesa Patch)
• Case shows flaws at special police force (UT San Diego)
• Boy accused of killing friend receiving ‘extraordinary care’ (10 News)
• Heroin use jumps 229 percent amongst county’s young adults (Santee Patch)
• Refugee moms and their American daughters bond through cooking (KPBS)

• Consumer advocates, unions back healthcare ballot measures (Sacramento Bee)
• California Republican party endorses auto rates initiative (Sacramento Bee)
• Fewer than 1 in 3 California registered Republican (Sacramento Bee)
• Democrats want to extend guaranteed retirement savings to private sector (Sacramento Bee)
• Investigation alleges abuse cover-up at California centers for the disabled (KPBS)

 
By Emma Cajthaml

 
Elite Gymnastics Academy partners with the American Red Cross

January 31, 2012  (Alpine) -- On Saturday, March 25, 2012 the communities of Alpine and Mt. Empire will host one of their traditions, the Miss Alpine, Miss Mt. Empire, and Miss East County Scholarship Pageants.

 A sharing of artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck site

 November 24, 2011 (El Cajon) The public is invited to join the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce Business after hours Holiday Mixer at Crunch Fitness.  The event will be Thursday, December 1, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. The location is Crunch Fitness, 565 Fletcher Parkway, Suite 202, El Cajon CA, above Dick’s Sporting Goods, in the Parkway Plaza. The admission fee is Members $10; Non-members $15. 

By Millicent Arko

October 19, 2011 (La Mesa) O’Dunn Fine Art will unveil the Ireland Paintings Exhibition by Paul Strahm, a signature treatment that examines the Irish countryside, street scenes, coast and waterways. The collection of 14 paintings will be on display from October 22 – November 27, 2011 and are available for pre-sale.

By Cate Sacks
 

 
August 16, 2011 (Alpine) -- Picardy is a beautiful, well trained neutered male Picardy Collie Mix.  He is great with all dogs and people of all ages.

 
Sweet young Maltipoo "Cuddles", tender and sensitive, loves to be cuddled, bonds very closely.

August 7, 2011 (Valley Center) – San Diego County Gourd Patch invites you to the second annual Gourdstock Festival at Bates Nut Farm in August 27-28 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.

Gourds are those funny shaped fruits, the pumpkin’s cousin, that dry out and can be used as containers, decorative art pieces, crafts, musical instruments and more. They were often used by the Indians to carry water and store supplies. There will be free demonstrations plus vendors selling all kinds, shapes, and sizes of raw and decorated gourds. You can also enjoy free classes, a fine arts fair, petting zoo for kids, and more.

Story by Miriam Raftery; Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2011 (Alpine) -- "Oh, you're beautiful!" San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce President Scott Alevy exclaimed as his wife, Joanne, dished up a forkful of chicken.  But he wasn't complimenting her cooking. Instead, Alevy was admiring Raja--a 500-pound Bengal tiger that Joanne was feeding after winning a drawing at Lions, Tigers & Bears (LTB) in Alpine.

The Chamber hosted a fundraiser to benefit the big cat rescue facility last weekend, donating 100% of proceeds to help this worthy cause while providing a memorable experience for Chamber members. View our video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFhE9h-O0Uw

Tragedy elicits sharp criticism of AT&T from backcountry residents who share horror stories of outages, poorly maintained lines, and service hassles

CPUC encourages residents with phone land-line complaints to email public.advisor@cpuc.ca.gov
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

July 27, 2011 (Lyons Valley) – Llama rancher John Klacka knew he had to get help fast when he found his prized stud llama, Muneco, had been bitten by a rattlesnake on July 7. “He was foaming at the mouth and having trouble breathing,” he recalled. “I ran into the house and tried to call the vet—and my phone was dead. I thought `This can’t be happening.’”

To: Jeff Light, Editor, San Diego Union-Tribune; jeff.light@uniontrib.com

July 24, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- I applaud the UT for setting up a citizen’s editorial board.  In many ways you’ve achieved a diversity of views ethinically, racially, and politically. But there are some glaring omissions.

There is not a single voice representing East County, rural residents,  fire survivors, nor environmental protection interests in the backcountry. 

It’s particularly unbalanced to have SDG&E represented on the board, with no one to speak for rural East County folks negatively impacted by the company’s actions.

July 4, 2011 (Poway) –Decked out with red and blue bunting on wooden railway bridges, water tower and gazebo/bandstand, Old Poway Park today looked like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. The Old West-themed park exemplifies the best of Americana this 4th of July, compete with rides on the Baldwin steam train (watch for train robbers), a Dixieland jazz band, square dancing, quilting show/contest and craft show—plus two-acres of picnic grounds and family-oriented activities such as three-legged races.

June 19, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – From La Mesa’s Flag Day Parade to the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show in El Cajon, East County displayed its patriotic pride.

At left, Dexter Levy drives a vintage auto in La Mesa's Flag Day Parade, heralding in the City's upcoming Centennial year of celebration. Photo by Kristin Kjaero.

June 6, 2011 (Flinn Springs) – The South of France is famed for its lavender fields. Yet many local residents don’t realize that lavender is grown right here in East County.

Summers Past Farms invites you to celebrate the fragrance and beauty of lavender on “Lavender Day”, Saturday June 18th. Jim Earp will provide live music while guests stroll through gardens and shop for lavender gifts such as soaps and scented drawer liners. You can also find many varieties of lavender at the garden’s nursery, where all plants are 20% off.  Pack a picnic, or purchase lunch at an outdoor coffee bar. Summers Past suggests, “Remember to wear lavender."

June 3, 2011 (La Mesa)-- Each June the East County Chamber takes great pride in organizing and hosting East County's largest Health Fair. Summer Healthcare Saturday. now in it's 9th year, the fair has grown to become a fixture in East County. It also provides a whole host of crucial health related screenings and testings for free to East County residents. Mark your calendars for Saturday June 11th and consider participating in this informative and important East County event.

May 23, 2011 (El Cajon_ -- Americans for Safe Access, a group advocating for medical marijuana patients' rights, will hold its next meeting at The Press Box, 2990 Jamacha Road, El Cajon, California on May 28 from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m.

By Billy Ortiz

View our video adventure: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBqJStFzQD8&feature=player_profilepage

May 20, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- On any day in this beautiful place in San Diego’s East County, you will find para-gliders--hang-gliders sailing the winds high above the El Monte Valley. Take off point is roughly 1,800 feet above sea level and is located in Blossom Valley, just South of I-8 and Dunbar Lane in El Cajon. I have often seen them soaring as high as 4,000 feet above El Cajon Mountain (known locally as El Capitan for its resemblance to a Yosemite landmark) accompanied by raptors of every kind.

By Abigail Migala

May 6, 2011 (El Cajon) -- Main Street 5 Gallery (www.mainstreet5gallery.com) is presenting “Wonderful World of Watercolor,” an art event showcasing the work of 25 top names in watercolor painting. The show’s opening will be on Saturday, May 7, from 5-9 p.m.

April 28, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top news of interest to East County and our region, published in other media.

Latest Roundup headlines include:

• San Diego's air pollution among worst in nation (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Grand Jury finds value in Supervisors' fund  (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• Mayor tells engagement to president of Grossmont Healthcare District Board (La Mesa Patch)
• California led nation in pension fund losses
• SD doctors test early autism detection tool (10 News)
• Steinberg considers cuts targeting GOP districts (Sacramento Bee)
• Study: Soda tax could bring $116.8 million ton San Diego schools (Santee Patch)
• Time names UCSD scientist among world's most influential people (San Diego Union-Tribune)

By Jeremy Los

April 21, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)--Spring is in the air, the grass is green, the birds are chirping and Easter Sunday is right around the corner. This weekend provides ample opportunities to bask in the wonderful spring weather while enjoying a multitude of holiday activities for the whole family including Easter egg hunts, Easter brunches, a sunrise service atop Mt. Helix, bunny train rides and more.

April 18, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) needs help finding a veteran in his district to honor. The 77th Assembly District is looking for a veteran to honor who is a veteran of Iraq/Afghanistan/Desert Storm and has contributed significantly to the community. (View map of 77th district.)

April 18, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- While beach denizens are contending with coastal fog, the sun is shining out here in East County--where it's just another day in paradise this time of year.  

We hope you'll enjoy our local photographers' images of springtime in East County!

By Miriam Raftery

April 13, 2011 – It’s official—the rainbow ends in Jamul!

 A spectacular rainbow arched over a field behind Donna Hendrix’s Jamul home after last week’s rainstorm week—putting in a special appearance at a party celebrating Steve Rowe’s promotion from executive director of the East County YMCA to a leadership role in the San Diego YMCA.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

April 12, 2011--Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, Miss Santee Maria Maes, local legislators’ representatives and community leaders were on hand last week for the grand opening of Santee’s newest attraction: ten waterfront cabins, including three afloat on Lake Seven.
 

Invited guests savored a cake baked to resemble the lake itself, complete with cabins and waterfowl.  The occasion also commemorates the 50th anniversary of Santee Lakes.

April 12, 2011 (La Mesa)--The Grossmont Healthcare District’s Dr. William C. Herrick Community Health Care Library, 9001 Wakarusa St. in La Mesa, will host a free seniors discussion group on the “Feeling Fit Club,” featuring a presentation from Vickie Velasco, founder of the Feeling Fit Club, from 10 to 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. The public is invited to attend. RSVP is not required.

Popular chef/cookbook author’s new eatery opens today
 

By Miriam Raftery
 

April 7, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – Not every new restaurant parks a tractor outside. But for Jeff Rossman, executive chef and owner of Terra American Bistro, the vehicle symbolizes his commitment to supporting local farmers.

“East County needs a farm-to-table restaurant that focuses on sustainability and supporting local growers, artisans and families,” says Rossman, who is also the author of the new cookbook, From Terra’s Table: New American Food, Fresh From Southern California’s Organic Farms.”