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.

Future community forums planned March 23 in Valley Center, March 30 in Ramona and April 6 in Warner Springs. View schedule here.

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – At the Descanso Town Hall on March 16^th,  SDG&E representatives met with residents to discuss efforts to improve fire safety and hear community concerns, including ideas for reducing impacts of power shut-offs during high fire-risk weather conditions. Representatives from 211 San Diego , the local Red Cross, the Descanso Fire Safe Council and the area’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) were also on hand.

Portions of Descanso had a dozen or more outages late last year, much to the frustration of many residents.  But the outskirts of Descanso have also had among the most extreme conditions. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News

March 21, 2018 (La Mesa) – The owner of a Mt. Helix home on Fuerte Drive in La Mesa was burglarized Wednesday afternoon by a thief who entered through a doggie door.

David Ward told ECM news partner 10 News that his dog recently passed away, but before he had a chance to block off access, a thief crawled through and bypassed the home’s security alarm.

By Miriam Raftery

March 20, 2018 (La Mesa) – By a unanimous vote, La Mesa’s City Council voted on March 13^th to adopt a climate action plan.  The vote drew cheers from members of San Diego350, a nonprofit that has been advocating for cities to take action to combat climate change.

Source:  City of El Cajon

March 20, 2018 (El Cajon) - Join the City of El Cajon to celebrate the 29^th annual Arbor Day at Kennedy Park on Saturday, March 24^th at 8 a.m.  During the ceremony, the City will receive its 21^st Tree City USA award presented by CAL FIRE. If you want to get your hands dirty, join members of the community, including the Lions Club and Key Club to plant trees at Kennedy Park and Granite Hills High School.

An open letter to La Mesa Planning Commission Chair James D. Newland

By Dr. Anthony D. McIvor

March 18, 2018 (La Mesa) -- As 60-year residents of La Mesa, our family objects to The Phair Company’s La Mesa Summit housing proposal. Luxury houses (at $1million+) usually offer green energy and amenities, but the sum of them, for just a handful of buyers, cannot begin to offset the loss to the larger community, if the plan were approved as is.  

East County News Service

March 17, 2018 (Lakeside) -- Do you love the great outdoors? Do you have a digital SLR or cell phone camera?  If so, you’re invited to come out and compete in this year’s Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.

The shooting window is from March to the end of May and contest participants can get a free day pass to explore the reservoir to seek, find and capture eye-catching images.

By Miriam Raftery

March 17, 2018 (Boulevard) – A driver, 67, from the Salton Sea was killed last night shortly before 7 p.m.  He was driving a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500 truck and towing a three-axle flatbed trailer loaded with concrete blocks on I-8 eastbound near Ribbonwood Road when he lost control and plunged down an embankment.

By Miriam Raftery; photos by Monica Zech

Photo: El Cajon Police Chief Jeff Davis, left, and Officer Jordan Walker, right

March 15, 2018 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police Officer Jordan Walker was named Top Vehicle Theft Recovery Officer of the Year countywide by the Auto Theft Advisory Committee out of 33 officers honored yesterday in Balboa Park.

By Joyce Strand

Photo from left to right: Democratic candidate for Congress Ammar Campa-Najjar, Republican candidate for Congress Shamus Sayed, Luawanna Hallstrom and Warren Bacon.

March 15, 2018 (Ramona) - The topics of water, farm labor, and NAFTA dominated presentations at Indivisible Ramona’s second community meeting to understand issues of importance to San Diego County, held at the Ramona Library Community Room on February 27th.

By Miriam Raftery

March 15, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Paul Hanks, a La Mesa resident, real estate broker and attorney with an office in Santee, was found by rescuers today in Joshua National Park.  He had fallen some 20 feet off a trail and suffered a head injury, but was conscious when found and is expected to have a full recovery, CBS 8 reports.

East County News Service

March 14, 2018 (Ramona) -- Indivisible Ramona invites the public to attend a forum on Solutions to Gun Violence on Sunday, March 25^th beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the Ramona Library Community Room, 1275 Main St., Ramona, CA 92065.

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.

East County News Service

March 14, 2018 (El Cajon) – The El Cajon Police Department has identified Joseph Mercurio, 31, as the vehicular burglary suspect shot and killed on March 11^th.  Investigators have since learned from their investigation that “Mercurio was driving a stolen vehicle and had been involved in at least two vehicle burglaries the night of this incident,” Sgt. Forster said. 

By Miriam Raftery

March 13, 2018 (La Mesa) – After 14 years as Superintendent of the La Mesa0Spring Valley School District, Brian Marshall will retire on December 31^st, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Marshall has a long career in East County and San diego.  After receiving his Masters of Arts degree in Educational Administration from San Diego State University and a teaching credential at the University of San Diego, he became vice principal of Lakeside Middle School in 1993 and in 1995 was named principal of Tierra del Sol Middle School in the Lakeside Union School District.