East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (San Diego) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County will present its 51st annual Conrad’s Supper Club, formerly called the Children’s Ball, a fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Omni San Diego Hotel, 675 “L” St., Downtown San Diego. Reception will begin at 6 p.m., with dinner beginning at 7 p.m. and live auction at 8:30 p.m.

East County News Service

February 7, 2017 (Lakeside) - Robin Rierdan with the Lakeside Rive Park Conservancy will lead a series of four beautiful hikes through Lakeside. The first is this Friday, February 10^th along the Flume Trail in El Monte Valley.  Space is limited and registration is required by Thursday. Register here.

East County News Service

February 6, 2017 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is seeking applicants for two scholarship programs, one for nursing students and another for students pursuing careers as medical health technicians.

By Miriam Raftery

February 6, 2017 (La Mesa) — Newly sworn-in Helix Water Board member Dan McMillan wasted no time at Wednesday’s meeting in calling for a water rate cut to take effect as early as April. 

Executive order canceled 129,000 immigrant visas

"The refugee crisis, the millions that are displaced…Now is not the time to be spectators, we need to be involved: Generous with our time, money and with our feet." --Rabbi Scott Meltzer

By Thea Skinner  

February 6, 2017 (San Diego) -- Days before U.S. District Judge James Robard halted an executive order to bar immigrant travel, the Jewish community and official leaders organized at Congregation Beth El in La Jolla on February 2nd.

By Rachel Williams

February 5, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Falafel softly crackles and pops in the frying pan as the smell of tahini infuses the air at Cajon Terrace Apartments. While the kids practice their ABCs and numbers in their new living room, a Syrian husband and wife cook side by side.

By Miriam Raftery

February 5, 2017 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry has accepted a position as Assistant City Manager for Dallas, Texas.  A Syrian immigrant who came to the U.S. as a child, Al-Ghafry previously worked in Texas and has over 28 years of experience in municipal government.

 “He’s been a real asset to this city,”  El Cajon Councilman Gary Kendrick told ECM, adding that Al-Ghafry speaks Arabic and has been helpful in translating and explaining city ordinances to immigrants from the Middle East. 

Source: Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Photo: Musical artist and activist Jasiri X is a featured speaker at Grossmont College's Black History Month commemoration.

January 28, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Music, art, a poetry slam, and a discussion on black activism at Grossmont College and a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute, a panel of young African-American professionals, and a presentation on institutional slavery at Cuyamaca College are among February's Black History Month events.

East County News Service

February 5, 2017 (San Diego) – Candace Smith, 69, has taken care of her disabled husband, James, 68, since he suffered a traumatic brain injury in a car accident a quarter century ago.  But now San Diego Police detectives report that she fatally shot her husband, then killed herself.

By Victor Contreras

February 4, 2017 (San Diego) -- The Descendants of Early San Diego (Formerly known as the Old Town San Diego Descendants Group or Committee), announces that they are soliciting submissions of short monologues for presentation specifically for TwainFest to be held at Old Town San Diego State Park in August annually. 

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (La Mesa) - Melania Mirzakhanian announces the Grand Opening of Tomea Real Estate at 5575 Baltimore Drive #105 in La Mesa.  The community is invited to the office warming complete with appetizers, raffle prizes, and live music by the acclaimed singer-songwriter and recording artist, Mr. Gregory Page. 

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (San Diego) — San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer has declared a state of emergency in the City of San Diego due to damage from January’s storms.  The declaration could help the city recover nearly $5 million in estimated costs of disaster response from the state under the  California Disaster Assistance Act.

East County News Service

February 4, 2017 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont Union High School District Board will hold a special budget workshop meeting on Thursday, February 16 at 4 :30 p.m. at the East County Regional Educational Center, 924 East Main Street in El Cajon. 

By Miraim Raftery

Photo courtesy ECM news partner 10 News :  Among the first to gain entry was an Iranian infant in need of heart surgery.

February 4, 2017 (San Diego) –  Travelers barred from entering the U.S. due to President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive order issued on January 27^th must now be admitted due to a ruling by U.S. District Judge James Robard on Friday.  

The court issued a nationwide halt to the entire executive order, though the Trump administration has said it will appeal the ruling. The ruling applies to refugees previously approved for admission to the U.S., as well as citizens of seven Muslim nations including Syrians.  It also requires admission of green card holders with visas.

By Miriam [Mimi] Pollack

February 3, 2017 (El Cajon) -- Imagine you have had a good life with a stable job and family. Then, imagine that your life turns upside down, be it from war, religious persecution, or social unrest, and you have to start from scratch in a new country with a different language, culture, even alphabet! Welcome to the world of many of my adult ESL [English as a Second Language] students. Despite all that they have gone and continue to go through, they are very grateful to be here