New law goes into effect July 7; summer concerts and movies in parks to begin soon

Source:  East County Community Change Project

June 17, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- Alcohol and marijuana are about to be prohibited at Lemon Grove’s eight city parks, just in time for summer family fun, according to city officials. The city council voted unanimously in May to take local control and make parks off limits to the use of marijuana in any form and all alcohol. While California’s new law under Prop. 64 makes recreational marijuana use legal for adults over 21, it is not legal to do so in public places. The council thought it was important enough to include it in the law.

East County News Service

June 17, 2017 (Ramona) – Ramona Ranch Winery invites you to savor a relaxing afternoon on their terrace, where they will treat you to a special Father’s Day menu prepared by John Little Catering this Sunday, June 18^th from 12 to 5 p.m.  Your feast includes grilled tri-tip with savory baked beans, corn on the cob, artisan bread and garden salad.

Also enjoy live music by singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player Alyssa Walker from 2 to 5 p.m.

Winners named in annual Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest

Source:  Helix Water District

June 16, 2017 (Santee) - Have you ever imagined the beauty of intense light sparkling from a rippled lake surface?  Or the majesty of birds in flight, riding a cool breeze just inches above a glass-smooth body of water?  Twenty-four photographers captured these images and many more and entered them in Helix Water District’s Lake Jennings Spring Photo Contest.     

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Lakeside) - The Barona Cultural Center & Museum invites kids in grades K-2 and their parents to listen to the book Way Out in the Desert and take an exciting musical tour of the Sonoran Desert as part of the latest Keyip! Kechuw! (Listen! Make!) Native American themed story time and craft event on Saturday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Keyip! Kechuw! is a free monthly program designed to inspire young children to read, have fun learning, and get creative. The events are held at the Lakeside Library located at 9839 Vine Street.

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (Spring Valley) – The Sheriff’s SWAT team and Rancho San Diego Crime Suppression Team, along with Sheriff’s deputies, served a search warrant at the Cookie Club Collective marijuana dispensary at 8783 Troy Street in Spring Valley. The warrant was the result of numerous complaints from concerned citizens about the illegal dispensary, says Sergeant Matt Cook.

First 100 Campout participants to pack 10,000 meals benefitting a local organization

East County News Service

June 15, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Franchise owner Rick Preciado will open the La Mesa Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 22, bringing 100 new jobs and the chance for the first 100 eligible adults to win free Chick-fil-A for a year while also packaging 10,000 meals for the hungry as they count down to the opening.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2017 (Alpine) – Viejas Casino and Resort has lined up chart-toppers from every genre, past and present for its summer-long open air concerts in the park.  The season opens with country music superstar sensation Martina McBride on July 3^rd.

By Miriam Raftery

June 14, 2017 (Mount Helix) – The Cajon De Oro Little League’s majors team has won the Tournament of Champions President’s Cup–tops among 16 East County leagues.

The Cajon De Oro league, celebrating its 60^th season, includes players ages 10-12 who live in the Mount Helix, Casa de Oro and El Cajon communities and is home-based at Mosher Field on Mount Helix.

Source:  Helix Water District

Photo:  from right: Helix Boardmember Mark Gracyk, who represents Lemon Grove, Boardmember DeAna Verbeke, Board President Joel Scalzitti and Lemon Grove assistant city manager and public works director Mike James.  Via Helix Water District

June 13, 2017 (Lemon Grove) - Helix Water District Board President Joel Scalzitti operated the excavator this morning, lowering a segment of PVC pipe into the trench at the corner of Mt. Vernon Avenue and Golden Avenue in Lemon Grove.  The pipe was signed by the Lemon Grove City Council and Helix board members, and its installation marks the removal of the last large segment of cast iron pipe in the water distribution system serving the city of Lemon Grove.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- Gordon Bosma, a long-time resident of East County, died on May 29, 2017.   Bosma was a retired United States postal worker.  While working there, he led his local union, American Postal Workers, AFL-CIO.

East County News Service

June 13, 2017 (Santee) – The San Diego’s Sheriff’s office advises that Michael Bauer, a registered sex offender, has recently moved to Santee.  Bauer was convicted of molesting a 7-year-old boy, a stranger to him, inside a fast food restaurant restroom in 2009.

By Miriam Raftery

June 13, 2017 (El Cajon ) -- The U.S.  Patent and Trademark Office has issued an order cancelling Ben Kalasho’s trademark for the San Diego-East County Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce name.  The Trademark Trial and Appeal Board held that the trademark caused confusion with the Chaldean  American Chamber of Commerce based in Detroit, which has been using the name since 2001. 

The board held that the trademarks were similar and that the local group used the entirety of the Detroit group’s name in its branding.

Kalasho founded and served as President of the local Chamber before stepping down earlier this year to avoid conflcts of interest after his election to the El Cajon City Council.  Kalasho’s wife, Jessica, currently serves as President.

East County News Service

June 11, 2017 (Alpine) — Alpine will celebrate Independence Day with a Fourth of July Parade starting at 10 a.m.  along Alpine Boulevard between West Victoria Boulevard and Tavern Road, bringing back a tradition that’s been dormant for years. Everyone is invited to participate or come watch.

By Rebecca Williamson

Photo:  El Cajon resident Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn.

June 11, 2017 (Santee) -- El Cajon resident, Ace Saunders, and his pit bull, Saturn, won best trick contest at Santee's 2nd Annual Fido Fest for performing a variety of commands.  The event, held June 10^th in Santee, drew an estimated 2,000-- with smallest dog, largest dog, and a cake walk all part of the festivities. 

By Miriam Raftery

June 10, 2017 (Lemon Grove) – Luscious lemon cakes, cream cakes, doughnuts, muffins, bagels, and more are available once again in Lemon Grove, now that the Lemon Grove Bakery has opened its doors at 3308 Main Street.