East County News Service

January 5, 2017 (San Diego) - You can bring the whole family to a (free) family fun fest at Kroc Center on January 7^th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.  Activities include arts and crafts, an inflatable fun park, sports challenges, giveaways and more. 

The Aztecs had nine three-pointers in the first half

Source: goaztecs.com

Photo: McKynzie Fort courtesy goaztecs.com

January 4, 2017 (San Diego) - Behind an outstanding first half in which the Aztecs scored nine 3-pointers, the most in a half since 2005, and 52 points, San Diego State women’s basketball clawed its way past Nevada, 83-78, in its Mountain West debut at Viejas Arena Wednesday night.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Advocates call on San Diego mayor to take action on homelessness (KPBS)
• Restaurants respond to wage hike with dining surcharge (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• San Diego VA one of five in nation with large decline in health scores (Union-Tribune)
• Behold the trajectory of county supervisor pay, benefits (Union-Tribune)
• San Diego says it runs no reports to track progress on city record requests (Union-Tribune)

STATE

• Trump’s presidency a roll of the dice for Southern California’s casino-owning tribes (L.A. Daily News)
• Jerry Brown picks new CPUC commissioners (San Francisco Chronicle)
• Series of earthquakes hits near California-Nevada border (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• States out of compliance with Homeland Security state ID standards have about a year to get in line (Marketplace)

 For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes an artists’ reception, a family fun fest, train rides, a walk up Mount Helix, a Lore of the Kumeyaay class, and an international music and arts festival.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions including theatrical performances, a writers’ conference, a Hawaiian and Celtic guitarist and song writer, outdoor ice skating, an author’s book signing, and a Native American powwow at Cuyamaca College.

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

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

File photo: Jacob meets with constituents in Dulzura

January 3, 2017 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce will host County Supervisor Dianne Jacob for its first breakfast meeting of the year starting at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 18, at the Marie Callender’s restaurant, 6950 Alvarado Road, San Diego.

Source: Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Photo: Dave Grundstrom, chairman of the Sharp Grossmont Hospital board, and Michael Emerson, vice president of the Grossmont Healthcare District board, join donors Mary Alice Brady and Ron Brady for the official launch of the hospital's central energy plant.

January 4, 2017 (La Mesa) -- Sharp Grossmont Hospital and the Grossmont Healthcare District officially celebrated the completion of the hospital's new central energy plant (CEP) in December.  The facility now supplies the hospital with its own generated energy, taking Sharp Grossmont completely off the electrical grid.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (La Mesa) - San Pasqual Winery Tasting Room and Gallery will host a variety of musical entertainment each Saturday evening in February—including an acoustic guitar and mandolin duo, a guitarist focused on Hawaiian and Celtic styles, a Latin music guitarist and composer, and a pianist performing favorites from the ‘40s through the ‘70s.  Scroll down for details.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (El Cajon) -- The Wieghorst Museum in El Cajon invites you to an opening night reception for a new art exhibit titled “Salmagundians and their Friends” this Saturday, January 7^th from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

East County News Service

January 4, 2017 (San Diego) – Each year, talented students from San Diego Youth Symphony and Conservatory's most advanced level Ovation, and intermediate level Showcase programs compete in our solo Concerto Competitions.   In addition to cash scholarship awards, the winners of both competitions gain the opportunity to perform as featured soloists in future San Diego Youth Symphony concerts.

East County News Service

January 3, 2017 (San Diego) – San Diego Republican Congressman Darrell Issa has introduced the Midnight Rules Relief Act, or HR 21.  If approved, it would make it easier for Congress to undo regulations issued in the final weeks of President Barack Obama’s administration.

By Miriam Raftery

January 3, 2017 (Washington D.C) –The first action of the 115th Congress was a closed-door vote by House Republicans to gut the Office of Congressional Ethics’  (OCE) independence and oversight powers.  But hours later,  after media reported on the action and members received a flood of calls from angry constituents, a new vote was held to scrap that plan and keep the OCE intact, for now.

The OCE was created in 2008 by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in response to the corruption scandal involving lobbyist Jack Abramoff, who was later convicted of multiple felonies.  The House Ethics Committee did nothing about that scandal. Nor did it take any action against Randy “Duke” Cunningham, a San Diego Congressman sentenced to a decade in prison for bribery and corruption charges. It also took no action against Congressman Bob Filner when he was charged with trespass after pushing past a TSA agent at an airport.

In light of the House Ethics Committee’s impotence, the OCE  was created to conduct independent investigations, including probes based on tips from staffers, the public and anonymous sources.  

Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away, by Lisa Napoli (Dutton, New York, NY, 2016, 353 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

January 3, 2017 (San Diego) - Virtually everyone in the world has had and tasted a McDonald’s hamburger at some time or another. In my case I have actually had thousands, and as a matter of fact, my first job at the age of 19 was preparing burgers and fries at a McDonald’s in Kansas City. Ray & Joan: The Man Who Made the McDonald’s Fortune and the Woman Who Gave It All Away, is an intriguing book about fame and fortune, and how it all began.

East County News Service

January 3, 2017 (La Mesa) – About 100 people gathered on New Year’s Day afternoon at Mount Helix Park Amphitheater for a “Prayer Summit,” hosted by Unite San Diego, an East County-based coalition of pastors, elected officials, business owners and community leaders.

East County News Service

December 26, 2016 (Palomar) – Lori Saldaña originally posted these fairy tale-like Christmas morning images on Facebook, with a message reading, “A very Merry Christmas morning to all. Here is my very So Cal Christmas view: snow on the ridge above, trees all around, sun in the valley below. May you enjoy the day with loved ones doing what brings you joy!”

By Sam DiGiovanna

January 2, 2017 (San Diego) -- The National Weather Service (NWS) is forecasting the possibility of significant storm beginning next Saturday. The NWS is reporting that an Atmospheric River (a narrow corridor of concentrated moisture in the atmosphere) may reach southern California Saturday.

This may produce more rain than we have seen in decades. Start thinking ahead to prepare.