By the East County Eaters

September 4, 2016 (El Cajon) – Long known for its flame-grilled steaks, cattle rancher roots and Western-themed décor,  Black Angus restaurants have now added a new hand-crafted, fresh juice cocktail menu to their Bulls Eye Bar.   From a Brazilian margarita that may make you want to dance the Samba to a Citrus Pomegranate Mule, you’ll find plenty to whet your whistle during all-day Happy Hours each Sunday , or from 3-7 p.m. all other days except Saturday.

We stopped by the Black Angus in El Cajon, where we savored some refreshing libations as well as tasty appetizers that roped us in to stay for a full dinner feast. 

East County News Service

September 3, 2016 (Mount Laguna) – You’re invited to step back in time and enjoy an authentic 1800-1840s Rocky Mountain fur trader’s encampment at the Laguna Mountain Rendezvous from Sept.30 to Oct. 9.  Day visitors and period campers are welcome.

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

September 2, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Flower children—isn't that all of us?

In celebration of its many fans, Steiger Floral Arts, 8057 Broadway, Lemon Grove, will hold its third annual Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 10. That's when posy meister Chuck Ellerbee presents free bouquets to anyone, 18 and over, who walks in the door.

East County News Service

September 2, 2016 (Santee) - Come celebrate local women in business and leadership at Santee Lakes' Ladies at the Lake Women's Expo.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo by Ozzie Monge

September 1,2016 (San Diego’s East County) –  Native Americans held a protest Wednesday outside theNavy’s new SEAL training center on Coronado over desecration of  an area  where  ancient Indian remains were found. 

The 12 tribes of the Kumeyaay Nation have asked the Navy to move the construction boundary to preserve the site where tribal members believe more remains are likely located, but so far the Navy has refused. 

“To us, the sight of those machines brutally ripping our ancestors from the ground is no different than it would be for those very same Navy personnel to watch bulldozers rip through Arlington National Cemetery, scattering the bodies of fallen soldiers carelessly under the metal treads,” Cynthia Parada, Councilwoman of the La Posta Band of Mission Indians, wrote on a Facebook page for the Save Our Ancestors from Desecration event.

By Miriam Raftery

September 1,2016  (San Diego’s East County) – Beyond the blizzard of ballot measures statewide and candidates on your November ballot, East County voters will be asked to weigh in on a variety of local initiatives with big impacts.

Those include countywide measures:  one a tax to fund transportation, the other  a measure that would set a precedent for developers to  evade environmental reviews by taking projects directly to voters.   There are also medical marijuana dispensary measures on the ballots in Lemon Grove and La Mesa, a redistricting proposal in El Cajon, and school bond measures in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College, Grossmont Union High School, and Cajon Valley  Union school districts.  Here are details:

East County News Service

September 1, 2016 (Lakeside) – The much-anticipated reopening of San Vicente Reservoir is slated for September 22^nd, SDFISH.com reports.  The lake has been closed since September 1, 2008 for construction of the largest dam-raise in the U.S.  SDFISH.com has also set up a discussion forum on San Vicente’s opening here.

Fishing and boating reservations must be made in advance through Ticketron roughly four weeks in advance.  The following information is available on the city of San Diego’s website for San Vicente:

Conservation groups call on the state of California to use new agreement as a launching point for on-the-ground projects

Source: Audobon Society press release

August 31, 2016 (Salton Sea) -- A coalition of conservation groups– Defenders of Wildlife, Audubon California, the Pacific Institute and Sierra Club -- today called on the State of California to use a new agreement with the Federal Government on the Salton Sea as a launching point for a renewed effort to get much-needed conservation projects started on the ground.

East County News Service

August 30, 2016 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Historical Society’s next “History Alive” program will feature Donna Vitale Lupinacci, bringing life to the story of American nursing during the Civil War. The event will be held Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. on "History Alive" in the H. Lee House, 3205 Olive, Lemon Grove.

Source:  San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board

August 30, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- The San Diego Regional Water Quality Control Board has imposed a $595,367 penalty against developer San Altos-Lemon Grove, LLC for water quality violations related to construction activities at its 18-acre Valencia Hills residential development in the city of Lemon Grove. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 30, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has responded to our inquiry asking why it took 16 hours to fully restore power to communities including Potrero and Dulzura.

By Miriam Raftery

August 29, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) – If you see a bird that looks suspiciously like a flying Fruit Loops mascot, you’re probably not imagining it.  Residents from Alpine to Jamul are reporting sightings of a tropical toucan – and the Alpine Community Network website even posted a photo with the observation, “OMG ITS REALLY A TOUCAN!”

East County News Service

August 28, 2016 (Mt Laguna) -- Lore of the Laguna’s (Living History Pageant) returns as the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association presents its 29th Annual LIVING HISTORY after a two-year hiatus. The past comes alive in this re-enactment of life in the Laguna Mountains, starting in the early 1900s and going back in time. Visit with Native Americans, rugged cowboys and turn-of-the-(last) century mountain men. Meet the first Laguna Forest Ranger, and relive the summer encampment of a 1908 pioneer family from Imperial Valley. How did they survive back then without any modern devices or conveniences and most of all, cell phones or social media? It was a slower pace, but lives were just as eventful and full of adventure as they are now.

East County News Service

August 28, 2016 (Borrego Springs) – Mark Peter Waugh, 53, has been arrested for the murder of a man found dead yesterday morning in a home at 430 Verbena Drive in Borrego Springs,

The victim has been identified as Brett Leslie Boynton, 52. The Borrego Sun reports that the deceased worked in the kitchen at Carlee’s restaurant in Borrego Springs.

According to the Medical Examiner, Boynton died of blunt force trama and possible strangulation. His death has been ruled a homicide.

East County News Service

August 26, 2016 (La Mesa) — Two women in south La Mesa awoke Tuesday around 3 a.m. to the sounds of banging on their front door.  10 News reports the women looked out and saw six people bashing the house and shattering car windows with hammers and a machete.