By R. U. Smart

 April 1, 2011 (Rancho San Diego) – Faced with a growing budget gap, the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District today announced a major new means of boosting tuitions and revenues.

“Cuyamaca College will open our district’s first satellite campus this summer in Thailand,” announced Henri Migala, executive dean of institutional advancement. “Cuyamaca has gained an international reputation for our instruction in green jobs and sustainable technology, which we will now be outsourcing to Asia.”

March 26, 2011 (El Cajon)-- The City of El Cajon will host a "Dare to Dodgeball" tournament, "Dodgball Mania" and "Skate Clinics" -- all as part of the City's spring recreation programs.  Below are details and information on how to register:

March 3, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County published in other media.

Latest Roundup headlines include:

  ·         Southern California growth prospects improve (San Diego Union-Tribune)

·         Reports: City spent less, increased revenue (10 News)
·          Escondido: City might join growing list of charter cities (North County Times)
·          Santee mayor plans Santana shooting memorial (San Diego Union-Tribune)
·         Merger of Henry's, Sprouts is latest in Boney family's retail saga (San Diego Union-Tribune)
·         Wife files for divorce from officer accused of rape (10 News)

February 27, 2011 (San Diego's East County) -- One of the heaviest snowfalls in memory, dropping snow down to under 1,500 feet, spurred many of our readers and staffers to send in photos of winter wonderland images across our region.

Enjoy!

February27, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) – The weekend storm has passed, leaving 26 inches of snow on Laguna Mountain and 16 inches on Mount Palomar. Alpine, Pine Valley, Campo and other communities received ample snow to require snow plows to clear roads.  

Below are the latest road conditions and weather updates.

 Note: Chains are required this morning on both Palomar and Laguna Mountains, and Sunrise Highway is closed at the north end.  There is ample snow at lower elevations however for snow play, such as in the Cuyamaca area.

February 27, 2011 (Cleveland National Forest)--With 26 inches of snow on Laguna Mountain and at least 16 inches on Palomar Mountain, the Forest Service offers tips for fun and safety.

Playing in the snow on the mountains is always a great deal of family fun, but the Cleveland National Forest Service would like to ensure that everyone is properly prepared for the trip.

February 26, 2011 (2 p.m.) - New road hazards have been announced since our morning update  including SIGALERTS and closures of several major highways and freeways due to hazards ranging from boulders to flooding to power lines collapsed by heavy snow.

February 26, 2011 (Jamul) – Wildlife enthusiasts are needed to expand efforts of the San Diego Tracking Team, which collects data used to protect open space. On March 19 from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, the team will hold an “Animal Tracking for Habitat Conservation” hike at the Rancho Jamul Ecological Reserve.

The public is invited to join the tracking hike and an information meeting to learn how to become a member of the tracking team, which aims to recruit four or five individuals to serve as team leaders of new tracking teams in the south and southeast areas of San Diego County.

By Billy Ortiz 

February 22, 2011 (Laguna Mountain)-- Laguna Mountain was a winter wonderland on February 21, 2011. More than a foot of snow fell from last weeks storm, bringing thousands of visitors to play in the snow on a "bluebird" Presidents day in the East County of San Diego, to use a ski term for a day of blue, sunny skies after a snowfall. 

My grandsons and I took a short drive from El Cajon to Laguna Mountain today.  What a sight! After leaving I-8 east,  we wound up the Sunrise Highway in anticipation, where we were greeted by thick blankets of snow covering the tall pine and oak trees and meadows.

Four seasons to enjoy Jamul-area wildlife preserve

By Marc Arndt
http://www.sandiegohiker.net

February 10, 2011 (Jamul) -- Last summer I visited Hollenbeck Canyon for the first time, and was impressed by its unusual character. Since then, I’ve returned to enjoy the attractions in other seasons. This is not a typical coastal sage brush canyon at all, but shaded by massive coast live oaks and California sycamores with a seasonal creek running intermittently through the canyon bottom.

February 1, 2011 (San Diego's East County)--This week, we bring you some beautiful images of nature.

This egret paid a visit to Robin Kendall's home in San Carlos, wading right in to take a dip in a swimming pool in her backyard. 

By Pam Wilmers

View an aerial video of East County: http://www.facebook.com/v/1274446437632

January 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County) -- With my heart beating and my curiosity rising, I lifted off from Gillespie Field in El Cajon in a single engine Cessna with pilot Bill Howell. Nothing could have prepared me for what we are about to behold on a warm and gorgeous winter morning.

January 1, 2011 (Lakeside) -- Trever Richardson took this awe-inspiring shot of sunshine on the horizon, viewed from a hiking trail at Louis Seltzer Park in Lakeside. 

Send your best photos to editor@eastcountymagazine.org!

December 23, 2010 (San Diego's East County)-- Videographer Billy Ortiz traveled to Flinn Springs Park yesterday, capturing storm-swelled headwaters of Los Coches Creek.  He spliced yesterday's shots together with some October images of areas further downstream, including a spectacular waterfall at the long forgotten Los Coches dam in Lakeside.  Then he added a soundtrack to create this one-of-a-kind music video.  Enjoy!

December 18, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- To quote a favorite carol, "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" all across East County!  Here are highlights from just some of the holiday festivities that have recently taken place in our communities.

At the Olde Time Christmas Village, sponsored by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, youngsters frolicked in snow--some for the first time.  

By Jeremy Los

December 16, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) -- The holiday season is upon us—bringing carols, crowded shopping malls and of course, Christmas lights! Several East County neighborhoods have taken it upon themselves to celebrate the holiday season with extravagant light displays for everyone to enjoy. Scroll down for descriptions, and view our map of holiday light displays in East County.

December 15, 2010 (Alpine) – Giving the reindeer a rest, Santa is bringing a helicopter to the Albertson’s store, 2955 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

Free Santa photos with your children and pets will be provided.  Free popcorn, candy, hot chocolate and hot cider will all be part of the festivities this Saturday, December 18 from 1-6 p.m.

December 14, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights stories of importance to East County residents published in other media.  Latest Roundup headlines include:

• Police: Dangerous gang still operating in Santee
• Sheriff's conceal weapons carry permit program upheld
• Santee's mayor says he's done being a Republican
• Iraqi Christians flee wave of targeted violence
• State sets few rules when home=school
• Water board members get healthy benefits

Feasting, frolicking, and merrymaking--ho, ho!
Plus thousands of dollars in prizes!

 Join East County Magazine at our holiday party Sunday, December 19 from 5-9 p.m. at Cafe' 67 (Highway 67 at Mapleview in Lakeside).  Enjoy feasting, frolicking, mingling and merrymaking! 

150 protesters stage rally outside, vow to file new lawsuits

View our video highlights by Billy Ortiz

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Dennis Richardson and Miriam Raftery

“Some people look out in the deserts and just see empty space. I see a gold mine there for clean energy.” – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“This is a big land grab—the taking away of our wilderness areas.” – Marion Bowles, protester

December 10, 2010 (McCain Valley) – Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Robert Kennedy’s son, Joe Kennedy, were among the leaders on hand for a symbolic groundbreaking of Sunrise Powerlink yesterday at McCain Valley in San Diego’s East County. Inside the Rough Acre Ranch (former training ground for the San Diego Chargers), the Governor praised the project as “an example to the rest of the nation.”

He then helped affix a commemorative plaque to a massive power tower top, or bridge, wider than the audience seating area. The project will have 436 towers. Afterwards, about 200 invited guests celebrated at a lavish luncheon provided by SDG&E and its parent, Sempra Energy.

December 6, 2010 (San Diego)—Brew Ha Ha, the popular comedy show featuring headline comics and rising stars, will celebrate the grand opening of its newest location near San Diego State University on Friday, December 10th at 7:30 p.m. They’ve been described as a “volcano vaporizer of crazy laughter” by San Diego CityBeat and as a “rollicking success” by East County Magazine, among other thumbs-up—or should we say, funny bones-up--reviews.

December 2, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – Santa Claus will soon be getting some exercise. Instead of riding in a sleigh drawn by reindeer, Santa will utilize pedal power as he leads over150 bicyclists in the San Diego Bicycle Club’s 23rd annual “Light up a Life” holiday toy drive on December 11th.

December 2, 2010 (Lemon Grove) -- The City of Lemon Grove hosts its annual community holiday bonfire on December 3 from 6-8 p.m. at Civic Center Park, corner of Olive and Church Streets. Rain or shine, this free family-orientated event features live music, horse-drawn wagon rides, free refreshments, game booths, crafts, face painting, and more.

In addition, the Lemon Grove Historical Society will hold its traditional open house at the Parsonage Museum, 3185 Olive, and the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive, both in Civic Center Park, on Dec. 3 from 6 to 8 p.m.

December 2, 2010 (Alpine) – Alpine Boulevard transforms into a winter wonderland on December 3, when the town hosts its annual Alpine Village Christmas celebration.

Santa arrives at 6:30 p.m., riding in the 15th annual Parade of Lights.  Afterwards, Santa and his helpers will light a holiday tree at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd., and join in a holiday sing-along. Kids and the young in heart are also invited to stay and play in a free mountain of snow, complete with sledding.

December 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- A crowd of nearly 150 children, parents, community members and government leaders gathered Wednesday November 17 to celebrate completion of the new “Little Rascals Rooms” youth facility constructed at the Boys & Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) Clubhouse in El Cajon.

November 29, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- While residents in other parts of the country are shoveling snow, and even coastal residents are contending with foggy winter days, here in East County it's been a week to savor some beautiful moments.  We hope you'll enjoy a few of the best shots captured by our readers and staff this week in East County!

By Dennis Richardson

Photo by Trever Richardson

November 28, 2010 (Lakeside)--Lakeside Historical Society opens its annual Christmas Resale Shoppe on December 1st.  The  shoppe will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Christmas Eve, December 24th. 

This extensive array features roomfuls of new and slightly used Christmas items for sale including Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, angels, cookie jars, teddy bears, ornaments of every description and many wonderful items for decorating that you cannot find anywhere else. Scroll down for details on the inspiration behind this event, andiew a video at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHvYSkLSPAo

3rd annual holiday invitational art show runs through Jan. 14

November 28, 2010 (El Cajon) – The third annual Holiday Invitational Art Exhibit, featuring 32 artists and 190 pieces of artwork on exhibit, runs through January 14 at the St. Clair Gallery in El Cajon. On Sunday, December 5, an artists’ reception will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. The event, which includes wine and cheese, is free and open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

November 26, 2010 (San Diego’s East County)—One of East County’s best-kept secrets is the cornucopia of unique shops and stores in our mountain towns. From downtown Ramona to the sleepy hamlets of Wynola and Santa Ysabel, to  historic Julian and rustic Alpine, you’ll find a wealth of treasures for those on your holiday gift list—including many hand-made items unique to our region.

Here’s our guide to some of the best buys that we found:

November 24, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley in downtown El Cajon!  There is no charge to ride the authentic British-style double-decker bus, which passengers can board at East Main Street and Sulzfeld Avenue, across from Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.

The open-air bus travels its route every 15 minutes, providing a bird’s eye view of the sights, sounds, holiday lights, and merchant window displays. The ride features live Christmas carolers,  holiday decorations, and other entertainment.