By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Angeles Nelson (left) opposed the dispensary in Lemon Grove, while Kathleen Harmon (right) supported it

April 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- La Mesa will have its first legal medical marijuana dispensary, after a unanimous vote of approval by the City Council on March 27. An appeal challenging the approval was rejected.

By contrast, the Lemon Grove City Council voted to deny an application for a dispensary due to proximity to a daycare center.  No dispensaries have yet opened in Lemon Grove though at least two have met zoning requirements and are now advancing through the conditional use permit process.

 

Both Councils took the actions recommended by staff in implementing laws established by voter-approved initiatives. At issue in each is the date of completion.

By Miriam Raftery

Updated March 31 with Councilman Jones' comments.

March 26, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- Last week, many Lemon Grove residents were surprised to hear a citizen speaking during public comment at a City Council meeting reveal that the city had settled a case  filed by a former contracted city worker.  The worker alleged that Councilman Jerry Jones and City Manager Lydia Romero violated his free speech rights and retaliated against him for comments he’d posted on social media criticizing Jones.

East County Magazine has obtained a copy of the settlement and release agreement from the city in response to a public records request.

March 14, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- You're invited to join East County Magazine and members of our East County DIning Club at Giardino Neighborhood Cucino (8131 Broadway in Lemon Grove) on Thursday, March 29.  This is a deliciously authentic Italian restaurant with a chef from Sicily who formerly worked in the Gaslamp! 

When:  Thursday, March 29. Dinner starts at 6:30, or arrive early at 5:30 for a no-host cocktail mixer to mingle and meet new friends.

Cost: $42 includes appetizers (eggplant rolls, calamaria ftirri with pomodoro sauce/chipiotle aioli),entree  (see choices below), dessert (limconcello cheesecake or tiramisu), tax and tip

RSVP: March 25 deadline: (619)698-7617 or editor@eastcountymagazine.org   Include your entrée choice: Cod Picatta  in lemon/capers/butter sauce, Chicken Parmesan with spaghetti, Cheese Ravioli with Pesto Sauce, Lasagna, or Penne Primavera with seasonal vegetables.

Updated March 17. 2018 with photos of Williams' injuries and quote from his wife, courtesy of Candid Chronicle.

By Miriam Raftery

March 14, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Last week, the San Diego Reader published an article revealing that a claim has been filed against the City of Lemon Grove by Christopher Williams.  Williams, who has applied to open medical marijuana dispensaries in the city, seeks punitive damages and medical costs resulting from what he alleges was an assault by Councilman David Arambula. Now Councilman Matt Mendoza is calling for an investigation.

By Miriam Raftery

February 14, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Lemon Grove, a community that has its roots in agriculture, will soon be getting a community garden—complete with fresh, organic vegetables, an adjacent flower garden, and a butterfly-friendly garden.

East County Magazine

February 8, 2018 (Lemon Grove)—Giardino’s Neighborhood Cucina, a charming and cozy Italian restaurant drawing acclaim since its recent opening in Lemon Grove, is serving up some sumptuous specials for Valentine’s Day.

NAN is also organizing a “100 ministers and the people” march Jan. 15

By Miriam Raftery

January 15, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – National Action Network (NAN) San Diego announces two events in honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

“Where are we 50 years later?”  a celebration honoring civil rights leaders will be held on January 19 at the Lemon Grove Community Church “the Lagoon”, 3122 Main Street in Lemon Grove.  Doors open at 6 p.m. with a 7 p.m. start.  The event will feature guest speaker Jane Elliott, an anti-racism activist who will discuss her historic brown eyes-blue eyes exercise. Honorees will include BAPAC State President Dr. William Blair, Dr. Cheryl Morrow of the San Diego Monitor newspaper, Alan Cabrera of Ideas Cabrera, and Raymond Wiley, a 67-year-old African-American man who has contended he was racially profiled by a San Diego police officer in 2017.

For tickets ($15), visit http://www.nansd.net/janeelliottevent.

New Italian restaurant is open Christmas Day

By Miriam Raftery

December 21, 2017 (Lemon Grove) –Marco Provino, originally from Palermo in Sicily, worked as a chef in San Diego’s Gaslamp District at Panavino’s on Fifth before falling in love with manager Karina Karvalis. The couple married, moved to Lemon Grove and opened up Giardino’s Neighborhood Cucina, a delightfully authentic Italian restaurant with creative, upscale options at affordable pricing.

By Jake Christie

November 29, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- The banner on the second story says “coming in 2018.”  But the Grove Lofts building site on Broadway in the outskirts of Lemon Grove has been mostly unmanned by construction workers for over a month, say the Spring Valley residents closest to the site.

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

November 19, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- The Lemon Grove Historical Society and the City of Lemon Grove will continue the Business Recognition Series by honoring Lido's Italian Foods on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. at the city council meeting in the Community Center, 3140 School Lane, when Mayor Raquel Vasquez will present the restaurant's owners with a city proclamation, Miss Lemon Grove will present flowers, and an appreciative audience will take photos and applaud the business beloved in the town for 62 years.

By J.A. Ellis, Lemon Grove

November 6, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- I have lived in Lemon Grove since 2005. I appreciate the small town feel of the folks who live here.

We have seen a controversy recently, as medical marijuana retailers have attempted to locate their businesses in Lemon Grove wherever they desire – whether that be near a daycare facility or a school or the like.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: the Hope Rally in El Cajon drew attention to domestic abuse

October 27, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – Domestic abuse impacts over 16,000 victims a year in our region, scarring families and sometimes, claiming lives. The San Diego District Attorney’s Office has provided statistics on domestic violence incidents locally from 2012 through 2016.

Residents in La Mesa, Mount Helix, and other local neighborhoods complain of swarms biting during daylight hours

By Miriam Raftery

October 2, 2017 (Mt. Helix) – After numerous residents on the Mt. Helix Next Door forum complained of swarms of small, aggressive mosquitoes biting during daylight hours and often, indoors, East County Magazine contacted County Vector Control. We learned that the invasive Aedes mosquitoes have been found in 273 traps at 23 different locations between January 1^st and September 21^st this year.  View map.

East County News Service

September 29, 2017 (San Diego) -- The San Diego Regional Fugitive Task Force and Crime Stoppers has issued a bulletin warning the public to be on the lookout for Enrique Leon. He is wanted for using force and causing injury to escape arrest. He is known to frequent San Ysidro and Lemon Grove.