By Jaime Mirman

April 19, 2016 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Concert Band presented an impressive  27^th Annual Spring Celebration Concert, Music From Stage and Screen last April 5^th at the Joan B. Kroc performing Arts Theatre.

East County News Service

April 18, 2016 (Lakeside) – The developer who seeks to build a sand mine the scenic El Monte Valley in Lakeside that is overwhelmingly opposed by residents has submitted  a scoping letter to the County of San Diego with significant changes to the proposed project.  Click here to view the full document.

Update as of April 19, 2016:  the victim's name has been released (Julio Caesar Edeza) and a suspect has been apprehended. Read more here.

By Miriam Raftery

April 18, 2016 (San Diego) – San Diego Police are searching for a suspect who set a homeless man on fire at 11:45 a.m. Sunday in a parking lot outside a CVS store  near the Rite Aid  on  Euclid Ave just north of highway 94. 

 The suspect asked for water, then lured the victim into his vehicle, a black Toyota 2-door pickup with a camper shell, then threw chemicals on him and set him afire, watching with chilling calm as the man suffered burns so severe that authorities indicate he is not expected to survive.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic man age 30-40, 6 feet tall and weighing about 170 pounds.  He wore a red hat, red shirt, and black pants. Authorities have released a sketch of the suspect showing a beard and mustache.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  the Padres honor the armed forces on Military Appreciation Sunday.  Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

April 17, 2016 (San Diego) - It was a beautiful day for baseball and a series finale as the Padres took on the Arizona Diamondbacks.  Patrick Corbin started on the hill for the DBacks and Robbie Erlin for San Diego.  Unfortunately, it looks like the Padres’ military jerseys are cursed.

East County News Service

April 17, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – With antipathy toward “insiders” in politics running high nationwide, some readers have asked us what it takes to recall a public official for offices such as a local school board or higher office.

The recall process is complex, but has been accomplished locally in the past. For instance, citizens in Potrero recalled five of their planning group officials back in 2007 and also elected a slate of reform candidates during the same special election.  Statewide, Governor Grey Davis was removed from office via a recall election in 2003.

Sometimes, the mere filing of a recall may be enough to bring about change.  Former Grossmont Union High School District trustee Nadia Davies resigned after a recall was launched against her, for example.

The San Diego Registrar of Voters has published a “recall guide” available online here. For more information, scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

April 16, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Quirky and fun, Jacumba Hot Springs’ community-wide yard sale takes place on Saturday, May 7^th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Old Highway 80 and Railroad Station.

By Liz Alper

Photo:  the hero. Courtesy @Padres on Twitter

April 16, 2016 (San Diego) - Another late game for the Padres with Andrew Cashner on the hill for the Padres.

East County News Service

April 2, 2016  (Ramona) – East County Magazine subscribers are invited to join us to savor “Mountain Magic” at the beautiful Vineyard Grant James (25260  Old Julian Highway) in the heart of Ramona's wine region on Saturday April 16 from 1-4 p.m.  (Not yet a subscriber? Join free.)

This very special afternoon will include wonderful wine-tasting, savoring Cheeses from the Cave gourmet cheeses, fresh fruits, chocolates crafted by master chocolate-maker GB Treats  and other delectable delights, plus live music by the award-winning Baja Blues Brothers and a wealth of prizes!

Drawing and silent auction prizes include mountain getaway vacation, wine lovers’ baskets,  gardener’s gifts,  hand-crafted pottery, yoga, personal training, Santee Lakes family fun pack, Mountain Hempire gift basket, bookstore gift certificate, music CDs, coffee lovers basket, and more!

By Liz Alper

Photo courtesy @Padres on Twitter

April 15, 2016 (San Diego) - The Padres came back to Petco Park tonight to greet the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, hoping for a better home stand than their opening series against the Dodgers.

Source:  San Diego County Sheriff's Department

April 14, 2016 (San Diego) - Take a good look at the surveillance photo of a man wanted for punching a train conductor in the face.

Why Bernie Sanders Matters, by Harry Jaffe (Regan Arts, New York, NY, 2015, 219 pages)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

"A nation will not survive morally or economically when so few have so much and so many have so little." -- Bernie Sanders (photo, right, by Ron Logan at San Diego rally)

April 14, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--Radical, hippy, revolutionary, self-proclaimed democratic socialist. Hot from the campaign trail, a vivid new biography goes inside Bernie Sanders’ contradictions, his unusual life, and his electrifying quest to make the American dream a reality for all. This unauthorized biography by Harry Jaffe gives us insight into this man running against Hillary Clinton for the Democratic candidacy for President of the United States. 

By Liz Alper

Photo: the Padres line up for the anthems at Citizens Bank Park, courtesy of @Padres on Twitter

April 14, 2016 (Philadelphia) - The Padres’ final game in Philadelphia was an afternoon game, with Drew Pomeranz on the hill for San Diego and Vince Velasquez taking the mound for the Phillies.

The ECOreport posts news that San Diego joins Energy Secure Cities Coalition, which seeks to retire 50,000 Petroleum-Powered Vehicles & , Transition Municipal Fleets to Alternative Fuels

Credit to EcoReport, originally published on the City of San Diego

Photo of San Diego courtesy Alan Light on Flickr

April 14, 2016 (San Diego) - On the heels of enacting one of the most ambitious climate action plans in the country, Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer today joined seven other mayors in launching a nationwide initiative, the Energy Secure Cities Coalition (ESCC), a group of cities dedicated to saving taxpayer money by transitioning their municipal fleets from petroleum-fueled vehicles to vehicles powered by alternative fuels, like electricity and natural gas.

By Miriam Raftery

April 14, 2016 (La Mesa) – Students, parents and staff from the College Preparatory Middle School in La Mesa packed the County Board of Education’s hearing room last night, urging board members to approve an application to approve a new charter school. 

Listen to Destination East County, also aired on KNSJ, by clicking the audio link.

We thank the County of San Diego for a Community Enhancement Grant supporting Destination East County.

By Miriam Raftery

April 15, 2017 (San Diego's East County) --This week’s Destination East County includes the opening of Cajon Classic Cruises this season, an antiques and crafts fair in Flinn Springs, a Victorian tea in Alpine,  and a Magic in the Mountains event in Ramona benefitting our own nonprofit  media and wildfire alerts.

Plus we’ll have previews of coming attractions including a Spring Garden Festival, Lakeside Western Days Parade, an Arbor Day Celebration, the Coyote Music Festival and many others.

So scroll down for all of these events and more.