By Carl Costantinto

Photos by Carl Constantino and Debbie Parker

May 3, 2017 (Lake Morena) -- Step back in time at the 24th Annual Manzanita High Mountain Rendezvous. Meet colorful characters from the French and Indian War, thru to the North American Fur Trade era, circa 1750 - 1840.

See mountain men and women in period attire living in tipis and period tent encampments.  Watch demonstrations of the everyday skills of the era, such as starting a fire with flint & steel, how to load & shoot a flintlock rifle, throw a knife & tomahawk, and shoot a primitive longbow.  There is a blacksmith shop where you can watch and learn about the important work of the 1800’s blacksmith.  Or just relax and listen to period music being played under the shady oaks.  Bring your camera and come enjoy a trip back in time.

Former director of player development elevated to assistant coach

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Tim Shelton, a long-time member of the San Diego State men’s basketball program, has been named an assistant coach on head coach Brian Dutcher’s staff. The 2017-18 campaign will mark Shelton’s 11^th on Montezuma Mesa.

POLITICS: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama, by Wilmer J. Leon, III, Ph.D. (AuthorHouse, Bloomington, Indiana, 2016, 332 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) - Wilmer J. Leon, III, PhD., has written a provocative and well researched book on politics and race relations; Politics: Another Perspective – Commentary and Analysis on Race, War, Ethics and the American Political Landscape in the Age of Obama. When I read Dr. Leon’s book it is like “preaching to the choir”, particularly his take on the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright in my hometown of Chicago. I am well aware of Dr. Wright’s place in history, and especially as it regards the ascension of Barack Obama to the Presidency of the United States. Former President Barack Obama was actually a member of Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright’s church at one time prior to becoming president, as well as Oprah Winfrey.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo:  UFCW Local 135 on Twitter

May 10, 2017 (San Diego) — The San Diego and Imperial Counties Labor Council is breaking up.  Eight unions announced last week that they will withdraw from the region’s most powerful labor organization.  The action came a day after the AFL-CIO’s national office took over control of the group and dismissed president Mickey Kasparian, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Kasparian was facing lawsuits alleging sexual harassment and discrimination, but has denied guilt.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Comey official FBI portrait

May 10, 2017 (Washington D.C.) – President Donald Trump has fired the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) director over the weekend, stating that he has “lost confidence” in James Comey.   Comey was scheduled to testify this Thursday before the Senate Intelligence Committee on the FBI investigation into Russia’s hacking of the U.S. presidential election.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

May 9, 2017 (El Cajon) - Tim Garfield has seen it all in his 37 years as attorney for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District. Dealing with issues ranging from student discipline to an endangered species that caused a massive construction delay, Garfield has quietly handled the East County college district’s legal issues based on a deep knowledge of education law and human nature.

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) – You’re invited to join the San Diego East County Chamber at the annual Grip it & Rip IT Golf Tournament and Mixer on Thursday, May 25^th.   (View flyer).

East County News Service

May 9, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Mother’s Day brunch, tea and dinners as well as a butterfly festival, classic car events, the Manzanita Rendezvous with mountain men and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including the Julian Fiddle and Pickin’ Contest, America on Main Street, Explore Mission Trails Day, Fly Day at Gillespie Field, Night Fishing at Santee Lakes, the launch of Santee’s Summer Concert series, and a Father’s Day brunch with Cowboy Jack.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!

By Nick Pellegrino

Study finds undocumented immigrants contribute $3 billion in California

Source: Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy

May 8, 2017 (San Diego) -- Undocumented immigrants contribute roughly $3 billion in taxes to California each year, over $1.5 billion of which goes to county coffers.

According to a new study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), undocumented immigrants paid $109.8 million in taxes to San Diego County (in the form of property taxes and local sales taxes) and nearly $108.8 million in taxes to the state of California (in the form of personal income taxes and sales and excise taxes).