March 4, 2012 (East County) --Henri Migala sent in this close up image of sunshine-hued blooms here in East County--sure signs that Spring is in the air.
March 2, 2012 -- (San Diego’s East County)--East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:
LOCAL
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)
STATE
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)
Scroll down for excerpts and links to full stories.
February 4, 2012 (Lakeside)--This past weekend, a local East County volleyball club, Lakeside Starlings, competed in Anaheim at the second of three qualifying tournaments. The day started off slow with three losses but ended well with a win against the Christian club, Pursuit.
Elite Gymnastics Academy partners with the American Red Cross
February 4, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Elite Gymnastics Academy, along with the American Red Cross, is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, February 16th, from 1:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Elite Gymnastics Academy, 1817 John Towers Avenue in El Cajon.
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.
The organizers are seeking young women ages 6-24 to participate in the pageants that have been a mentoring program for them. The pageants are produced by the Associated Pageants of Alpine/Mt. Empire and focus on community service. There is no swimsuit competition, and no entry fee to participate, only a sponsorship fee.
January 26, 2011 (La Mesa)--Officials of many East County organizations recognized the contributions made by Bill and Norma Verbeck at a special luncheon eeting of the Kiwanis Club of La Mesa today at the La Mesa Community Center.
Bill Verbeck was awarded the Kiwanis International 50-Year Legion of Honor at the meeting. Tony Zambelli, president of the La Mesa Kiwanis Club, mad the presentation.
A sharing of artifacts recovered from the Titanic wreck site
January 22, 2012 (Santee) -- Fourth grade students at an East County elementary school were treated to an extra special show-and-tell in January. A sampling of artifacts recovered from Titanic, 2.5 miles below the ocean’s surface, were shared with more than 130 enthusiastic Rio Seco Elementary students in Santee. The show-and-tell was a preview of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, opening Feb. 10, 2012 at the San Diego Natural History Museum.
December 28, 2011 (San Diego’s East County)—At year’s end, we reflect on the loss of several prominent residents of San Diego’s inland regions, as well as some less prominent individuals whose tragic deaths tugged at our heartstrings or sparked controversies.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.’”
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 9, 2011 (La Mesa) -- A wine-tasting passport is being offered by five San Diego wineries this Summer. The cost of the passport is $25.00.With the passport you can visit five San Diego County area wineries including some in East County. The wineries are Belle Marie, Bernardo, Cordiano, Hacienda de las Rosas, and San Pasqual.
The passports are good until September 5, 2011. Those interested may call San Pasqual winery to place a phone order,or visit the winery's tasting room in La Mesa to purchase a Summer Passport in person.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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. 
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.
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.
By Abigail Migala
By Jeremy Los
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