By Melinda Myers

Soiree(R) vincas are drought tolerant, thrive in full sun, and add lots of color all summer with an abundance of flowers.

Photo courtesy: Suntory Flowers

May 31, 2024 (San Diego) -- Boost the summer-long beauty and heat tolerance in your gardens and containers with new varieties of annual vinca (Catharanthus). The unique Soiree(R) vinca varieties provide added appeal with their cute, double, and ruffled flowers.

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

May 6, 2024 (San Diego)-- World surfing champions Milton and Michael Willis share their love for riding waves of any size in their latest book, 100 Foot Wave: The Official Book. Their book provides a deeper understanding of the hows, whys, and dangers of this exciting discipline. For the Willis brothers, who grew up in San Diego's North County and Hawaii, riding big waves is a spiritual practice. They share the rigors and dangers of the sport, as well as the spiritual highs.

Their book is comprehensive, covering:

• Contest winners and who really rode the biggest waves
• How boards are designed and made, along with the development of surfing equipment innovations
• The best places to find waves and how to train for riding a big wave
• Notable male and female surfers and their contributions to the sport, and
• Commemorations of those who have died while surfing.
  

East County News Service

May 6, 2024 (Ramona) -- Four people are behind bars on suspicion of selling drugs in Ramona. 

On Friday, May 3 around 7:00 a.m., deputies and detectives from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation conducted a search of a home in the 1300 block of Hanson Lane across the street from Ramona High School.

“An investigation by Sheriff's Detectives revealed drug activity may have been taking place at this home. There was also evidence that individuals wanted for outstanding warrants were staying there,” says Sergeant Sean Gallagher.

Source: CSA San Diego County

May 6, 2024 -- Join CSA San Diego County and learn about your rights as a tenant!  This free one-hour presentation will be held Monday, May 20 from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the community room at the Lemon Grove Library. Everybody is welcome to join!. RSVP here.

CSA San Diego County is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose primary mission is the promotion of social justice and public welfare through programs, services, and advocacy against all forms of discrimination, including advocacy for the eradication of housing discrimination to assure equal housing opportunity for all individuals. CSA can be reached at (619) 444-5700 or at outreach@c4sa.org.

Topics to be discussed in this presentation include: 

- What is Fair Housing? 

- What are protected classes?

- What to do if you have faced housing discrimination.

- What to know before you rent.

- Just cause and no fault evictions.

East County News Service

May 4, 2024 (San Diego) – A dozen people have become ill, including seven who were hospitalized, with E. coli infections linked to Gibson Farms organic walnut halves and pieces. The walnuts, which have been recalled, were sold in bulk bins at natural food stores and coops, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, though some of the walnuts may have been packaged in bags or clamshell packaging.

The walnuts were distributed in many states, but the illnesses to date occurred in California and Washington. 

By Miriam Raftery

May 3, 2024 (Washington D.C.) -- In April arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court,  former President Donald Trump’s lawyers argues that presidents should be immune from prosecution for any official acts done while they are in office,  unless the president is impeached and convicted by Congress.  But Trump attorney David Sauer’s argument, if accepted by the high court, would grant a president dictatorial powers even for violent acts committed for personal gain—by his own admission in arguments before the high court.

Liberal justices pushed back on that disturbing proposition.  Justice Elena Kagan pressed Sauer on whether ordering a military coup or selling nuclear secrets to a foreign power would be considered official acts that would prevent criminal prosecution of a president, and Sauer said such acts should be protected by presidential immunity.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor grilled Sauer on whether ordering execution of a political rival would be considered an official act. Sauer replied, “We could well see that as an official act.” Hear recording of this exchange.

By Miriam Raftery

May 2, 2024 (Rancho San Diego) – You’re invited to the grand reopening and newly refurbished “Gifts from the Garden” gift shop at the Water Conservation Garden on Saturday, May 11 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Discover one-of-a-kind crafts, art pieces, and garden treasures—the perfect gifts for Mom. Visitors will also receive a do-it-yourself succulent for Mom with every purchase.

The Garden is located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon’s Rancho San Diego community.