Communities

EL CAJON TO WEIGH VAPING RESTRICTIONS OCT. 8; FEDS ANNOUNCE BAN ON FLAVORED E-CIGARETTES

By Miriam Raftery
 
Photo: Young woman vaping, image via Pixabay
 
September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) – El Cajon’s city council will be considering a ban or other restrictions on sales of vaping products, such as banning flavored vapes, at its October 8th meeting at 3 p.m.  
 
Councilman Gary Kendrick, who asked that the issue be added to the agenda, told  ECM, “I may take some heat for this, but it’s the right thing to do.”

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20TH ANNIVERSARY CONCERT NOV. 16 BENEFITS WATER CONSERVATION GARDEN

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Since 1999, The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College has been at the forefront of saving water and other natural resources. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, the Garden is hosting a benefit concert on Saturday, November 16th. 


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RUSSIAN BALLET THEATRE PRESENTS SWAN LAKE IN ESCONDIDO AND SAN DIEGO SEPT. 19-20

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (Escondido) -- The Russian Ballet Theatre brings a new production of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake to Escondido and San Diego on Sept. 19 and 20. Tickets for the performances are on sale now at www.russianballettheatre.com.


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ALPINE TEEN KILLED IN RAMONA CRASH

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) – Alpine resident Kruize Alan Stockfelt, 18, died at the scene of a head-on crash Sunday morning in Ramona.


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EAST COUNTY DINING CLUB INVITES YOU TO OUR MIDEAST FEAST SEPT. 26 (RSVP BY SEPT. 17)

 

This event has been cancelled due to not enough RSVPs to meet the restaurant's minimum.  Refunds will be issued to those who purchased tickets. 

September 9, 2019 (El Cajon) -- Our next East County Dining Club event is a Mideast feast at Happy Times Mediterranean Restaurant (2441 Jamacha Rd., El Cajon in the Rancho San Diego area) on Thursday, September 26 at 6:30 p.m.

Come savor the flavors of Iraq with authentic foods and a special musical performance by Fouad Sawa and the Peace Band performing on authentic Middle Eastern instruments. Meet the media and make new friends, plus we'll have opportunities win win prizes.

This restaurant requires us to RSVP no later than Sept. 17 - no exceptions  Early reservations are strongly recommended!


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THE MAGNOLIA BLOOMS: REVITALIZED PERFORMING ARTS CENTER REOPENS WITH COMMUNITY CELEBRATION

 

By Miriam Raftery

Photos: New magnolia tree and crowd outside; vocalist Stephanie Noriega and Mayor Bill Wells performing piano and vocal accompaniment of "Hallelujah" at grand opening of The Magnolia performing arts center

September 11, 2019 (El Cajon) – Community members from across the region flocked to the grand opening of The Magnolia performing arts center in downtown El Cajon yesterday.  More than $8 million has been spent remodeling the former East County Performing Arts Center, which had been closed for a decade but has now blossomed anew.

As the setting sun sent a starburst shining through a newly planted magnolia tree out front, visitors inside saw renovations including a new VIP viewing area, multiple bars serving up food and beverages including cocktails, backstage dressing rooms,  a shimmering new gold curtain and more.


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LA MESA APPROVES COMMUNITY CHOICE ENERGY PLAN AS WRITTEN

Motion to amend voted down 3/2, final resolution passes unanimously

By Jonathan Goetz

September 11, 2019 (La Mesa) – The City of La Mesa is one step closer to competing with SDG&E on electricity acquisition, after approving the first reading of a resolution authorizing specifics on a joint power agreement, or JPA, with the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Encinitas and Imperial Beach at its September 10 meeting. It still requires a second reading in La Mesa and ratification in the other cities. The specifics can be found here. https://www.cityoflamesa.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/4095?fileID=8858


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SDG&E TO HOLD LAST WILDFIRE SAFETY FAIR IN ALPINE ON SATURDAY

East County News Service

September 11, 2019 (Alpine) -- SDG&E is encouraging Alpine and surrounding area community members to attend the Wildfire Safety Fair taking place this Saturday, September 14th at the Alpine Community Center (1830 Alpine Blvd.) from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.


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LA MESA HOSTS COMMUNITY WORKSHOP SEPT. 25 TO DETERMINE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY NEEDS

Source:  City of La Mesa

September 11, 2019 (La Mesa) - The City of La Mesa receives approximately $400,000 annually from the federal government through the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) to fund housing, community development, and infrastructure projects. The city would like your input to help determine housing and community needs in the community for future funding.


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GOT TALENT? CASA DE ORO HOSTS OPEN MIC NIGHTS

By Miriam Raftery
 
September 10, 2019 (Spring Valley) – The Casa De Oro branch of the San Diego County Library will host an Open Mic Night on the fourth Thursday of each month at 6 p.m.  All ages are welcome to come build performance skills with featured local musicians to help build a positive, education-based environment.
 
Bring your own instrument and gear.
 
The library is located at 9805 Campo Rd. #180 in Spring Valley.  

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INDUSTRIAL HEMP GROWER BUYS POTRERO PROPERTY ONCE SOUGHT BY BLACKWATER FOR PARAMILITARY TRAINING, KEEPING IT GREEN

By Miriam Raftery

September 8, 2019 (Potrero) – A former chicken ranch that sparked a firestorm of controversy when Blackwater sought to acquire it to build a paramilitary training camp has been sold to Green Hygienics Holdings Inc., an industrial hemp cultivation company. The 824-acre Potrero Ranch land and buildings will be utilized to grow industrial hemp for cannabidiol (CBD) cultivation.


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KIDS CARE FEST COMES TO LEMON GROVE OCT. 5: FREE HEALTH SCREENINGS, SAFETY INFO, GAMES, ACTIVITIES AND MORE

By Miriam Raftery

September 9, 2019 (Lemon Grove) – Grossmont Health District’s Kids Care Fest will bring “healthy fun for the kid in all of us” to the Lemon Grove Rec Center (3131 School Lane) on Saturday, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The event also includes free dental and vision screenings,  fun and active games, flu shots, blood pressure checks, and information on a variety of health services and conditions. 


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TOWN HALL ON VIRULENT NEWCASTLE DISEASE IN RAMONA SEPT. 9

By Miriam Raftery

September 6, 2019 (Ramona) --- After Virulent Newcastle Disease (VND) was detected in Ramona last week and the area placed under a regional quarantine, the California Dept. of Food and Agriculture has announced that it will hold a town hall at the Ramona branch library on Monday, Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m. 

Bird owners are invited to come learn more about the disease, how to proptect your birds, methods to clean your property,  status of the outbreak, and what to expect in recovery.


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HOW HOT WILL IT GET WHERE YOU LIVE?

By Miriam Raftery

 

Roger Coppock contributed to this story

 

September 8, 2019 (San Diego’s East County) -- Extreme heat is poised to rise steeply in frequency and severity over the coming decades, bringing unprecedented health risks for people and communities across the country. That’s the disturbing finding of the Union of Concerned Scientists in a just-issued report titled Killer Heat in the United States: Climate Choices and the Future of Dangerously Hot Days.


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JULIAN TOWN SQUARE: RESIDENTS’ DREAMS FOR A HUB IN THE HEART OF HISTORIC TOWN MOVE CLOSER TO FRUITION

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 8, 2019 (Julian) -- A long-vacant lot in the heart of downtown Julian may soon become a town square with an amphitheater and community park to serve as a hub for community gatherings, holiday events, a farmer’s market, art walk and more. Over $182,000 -- nearly a third of the $600,000 funds needed--have been pledged, according to the Julian Town Square website.


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AND MISS REARDON DRINKS A LITTLE: LAMPLIGHTERS SHOW CELEBRATES IDIOSYNCRACIES

Review By Kathy Carpenter

Photos by Adriana Zuniga Williams

September 8, 2019 (La Mesa) - Life would be dull without the eccentricities that make us who we are. Pulitzer winner Paul Zindel presents us with the delightfully complex characters of three sisters in “And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little,” now playing at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa through September 22.  The story takes place on an October evening in the apartment of Catherine and Anna Reardon.


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12 APARTMENT UNITS DAMAGED IN SPRING VALLEY BLAZE; FIREFIGHTERS SAVE DOG

By Miriam Raftery
 
September 8, 2019 (Spring Valley) – San Miguel Firefighters were first on the scene after multiple reports of an apartment fire this morning at 8:30 a.m. in Spring Valley, arriving to find heavy smoke from the first and second floors of a 12-unit complex on Jamacha Blvd. near Trace Rd.

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RAMONA NEWCASTLE CAUSED BY BIRDS ILLEGALLY MOVED OUT OF QUARANTINE AREA IN RIVERSIDE

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2019 (Ramona) – A state investigation has determined that infected birds moved from within the virulent Newcastle disease (VND) quarantine area in Riverside County led to the recent detection of the disease in the Ramona area, Dr. Annette Jones, California’s state veterinarian, announced yesterday.


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ECM FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS: PATRIOTS WIN WILD ONE FOR FIRST WIN ON NEW TURF

By Liz Alper

 

Photos by P.J. Panebianco

 

September 7, 2019 (San Diego) - Week three of ECM Friday Night Lights takes us to Patrick Henry High’s brand new field.  So far, it’s been the site of a big 30-point loss to Morse last week. But the Patriots are faring well at 1-1. Last night, they finally got to host their annual matchup against Monte Vista.  These two met last year, where now-UCLA Bruin Jahmon McClendon ran circles around the Patriots, resulting in a 42-9 Monte Vista win. The Monarchs are coming in at 1-1 as well, winning 28-14 last week against Rancho Buena Vista.


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PASSAGES: JIM BELL, ECOLOGICAL DESIGNER 1941-2019

Graduate of El Capitan High in Lakeside became global advocate for sustainable design

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 6, 2019 (San Diego) - Jim Bell, ecological designer and internationally recognized expert on sustainable development who twice ran for mayor of San Diego, passed away in hospice at his home on July 31 at age 77 from complications of a stroke.


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CHAMBER MUSIC SERIES AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE FEATURES TOP MUSICIANS, INCLUDING JASON VIEAUX AND BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

September 6, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) - The ECHO Chamber Music Series, now in its third year, is taking its 2019-2020 season at Cuyamaca College’s Samuel M. Ciccati Performing Arts Theatre to new heights with 14 concerts featuring performers such as Jason Vieaux, Bach Collegium, the Dalí Quartet, and members of the San Diego Symphony and other internationally acclaimed musicians who have performed across the globe.


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CAMEL DAIRY ADDS FALL EVENTS INCLUDING CAMEL MILK CHOCOLATE TASTING

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 6, 2019 (Ramona) – The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona is opening its farm store on Sept. 7, 8, 14, 15, 28 and 29 as well as Oct. 5, 6, 12, 13, 20, 26 and 27. Besides shopping for products such as camel milk bath bombs and lotions, you can now relax with country views while sampling 11 varieties of camel milk chocolate by Al Nassma including dark, milk, orange, sweet-spice, date and white chocolate varieties, along with non-alcoholic beverages and snacks.


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VIDEO OF THE MONTH: DANCING BABY CAMEL

 

East County News Service

September 6, 2019 (Ramona) – Amina, a baby camel at the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, enjoys frolicking in fresh pine shavings.  To view more camel videos, visit www.CamelDairy.com.


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DISCOVER THE VEGAN LIFESTYLE OCT. 4 AT GROSSMONT CENTER’S FIRST FRIDAY NIGHT MARKET

East County News Service

 

Photo: Vegan burger, courtesy of Grossmont Center

 

September 6, 2019 (La Mesa) – You’re invited to taste how delicious a vegan lifestyle can be at the First Friday Night Market at Grossmont Center on Friday, October 4 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sponsored by Vegan San Diego, this free event gathers the most exceptional vegan vendors all in one spot so that you can savor and sip delectable plant-based food and beverages.


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OWAC RECOGNIZES THE WEST'S TOP OUTDOORS/ADVENTURE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS PROS

Source:  OWAC

Photo: Author and award winner Diana Lindsay

September 5, 2019 (Oxnard) - Outdoor Writers Association of California (OWAC) – the leading organization of professional outdoor media communicators in the western region – recently recognized nearly two-dozen recipients in their annual Excellence in Craft Awards.


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SYCUAN POWWOW SEPT. 6-8 HONORS NATIVE AMERICAN TRADITIONS

 

The Sycuan band of the Kumeyaay nation will hold its 30th annual powwow from Friday evening, September 6 through Sunday, September 8 at the Sycuan powwow ground (5577 Dehesa Rd., El Cajon). 

 

The event features bird singing and Native American dance competitions, drumming, Native arts and crafts vendors, foods and more.


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GRAND OPENING AT THE MAGNOLIA SEPT. 10: CURTAIN RISES ANEW ON PERFORMING ARTS CENTER IN EL CAJON

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 5, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The Magnolia Center, formerly known as the East County Performing Arts Center, will host its much anticipated grand reopening on September 10th from 5 to 8 p.m. The City of El Cajon and Live Nation invite the public to the event which includes food, fun, activities, prizes, tours, presentations.


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COYOTES KILL SECOND LEASHED DOG IN SANTEE

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

By Miriam Raftery

 

September 5, 2019 (Santee)  For the second time in recent weeks, coyotes  killed a leashed dog in Santee, Michelle Cimmarrusti told 10 News.


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IN THE WILDLAND URBAN INTERFACE WORKSHOP IN CAMPO SEPT. 7

East County News Service

 

September 4, 2019 (Campo) – The Fire Safe Council of San Diego, Cal Fire and the County Fire Authority invite you to learn principles firefighters use to protect your home and community at the Wildland Urban Interface Workshop on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Registration, networking and refreshments will begin at 7:30 with the course at 8 a.m. at the Mountain Health Community Center, 976 Sheridan Rd., Campo.


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WHY WAIT TO GO SOLAR? SOLAR EXPERIENCE SEPT. 7 IN RANCHO SAN DIEGO

By Megan Lacy
 
September 4, 2019 (Rancho San Diego) - Join your East County neighbors for a powerful Q&A with nationally certified energy practitioners and nonprofit experts to find out how you can go solar and secure the 30% federal tax credit in 2019 before it sunsets. Learn the latest technologies, how solar works, if solar will work for your home, battery storage and integration, available state and federal incentives and much more.

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