By Ellen Holzman, Julian, California

August 27, 2018 (San Diego) - With the November election on the near horizon, it’s vital that we all understand why we must vote for Ammar Campa-Najjar for Congress: Ammar believes “women are capable of making their own choices regarding their bodies and reproduction.”

East County News Service

August 26, 2018 (El Cajon) — A suspected drunk driver died after crashing into a tree and a retaining wall near the intersection of East Main and North Second Street in El Cajon early Saturday morning. The driver of the vehicle, a Hyundai, fled from California Highway Patrol Officers who tried to pull him over after they spotted him speeding and weaving on eastbound Interstate 8 near Severin Drive around 2 a.m.

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By Liz Alper

Photo:  despite the loss, Joey Lucchesi had a great outing:  six innings, five hits, two runs, two earned runs, one walk and six strikeouts.  Via @Padres on Twitter

August 23, 2018 (San Diego) - The Padres are even in the series with the Rockies and today’s series finale featured some day baseball from Denver as they went for the series win.  Joey Lucchesi started against Denver native Kyle Freeland for the Rockies.

By Richard Lederer

Editor’s note: Richard Lederer will be our special at East County Fest, East County Magazine’s 10-year anniversary celebration the evening of August 25^th at Mission Trails. For tickets and details, click here.

August 22, 2018 (San Diego) -- A week from today, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., the Union-Tribune and KPBS, both of whom I've worked with, will launch our city's second annual Festival of Books. The setting will be the McMillin Event Center at Liberty Station in Point Loma. Along with a galaxy of local authors, I'll be signing my books in Authors' Alley. I'd love to meet you there.

Source:  California State Board of Pharmacy

August 22, 2018 (San Diego) - Consumers looking for a place to safely dispose of unwanted or expired prescription drugs can now find pharmacies offering drug take-back services authorized by the California State Board of Pharmacy.

East County News Service

August 22, 2018 (Descanso) -- Throughout the New World, the indigenous peoples of the Americas cooked in the earth. The original use of buried cooking in ground pits was done by the Native Americans for thousands of years.

TICKETS NOW ON SALE!

Saturday, August 25th 

6-10 p.m. (VIP reception at 5:30 p.m.)

Mission Trails Regional Park Visitor Center

One Father Junipero Serra Trail, San Diego

It’s the party of a decade!

East County Magazine invites you to join us at East County Fest, our 10^th anniversary celebration!  Proceeds benefit our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts and our award-winning community news reporting.

Festivities include: Foods, wines, cider and beer from top restaurants, wineries and breweries in East County, wonderful artists, artisans, authors, athletes, communitiy leaders, live music and entertainment, raffle, auction, stargazing, guest speakers, a look back at the last 10 years and forward to the future!

Tables and individual tickets are available, plus there’s a VIP reception.  Buy a table or a VIP reception ticket and get our free “Best of East County” cookbook on a souvenir thumb drive as thanks, plus preferred parking, auction preview, gourmet goodies and more.

Our VIP party is catered by Bekker's Catering, known for their fabulous food for weddings and other special occasions, and sponsored by California Coast Credit Union. Our thanks to Bekker's for generously donating most of the delicious foods for the VIP reception.

Individual tickets: $65 ($60 for sustaining donors and dining club members) or for $20 extra add VIP reception ($85 total).

Tables: $480 ($60 a person) or $680  ($80 a person) with the VIP reception. 

This event is for age 21 and up.

CLICK ARROWS BELOW TO VIEW AND CHOOSE ALL PRICE OPTIONS.

  For all the delicious details, click "read more" and scroll down.

By Miriam Raftery

August 22, 2018 (El Cajon) — A hiker on the Sycuan reservation came upon the scene of a fatality accident at 8 a.m. and notified authorities. 

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Councilman Kalasho's Facebook followers have shrunk to just 21 people following his numerous ethical and legal controversies.

August 17, 2018 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Councilman Bessmon "Ben" Kalasho tried to reregister as a member of the Federalist Party earlier this week, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. However, the Federalist Party is not recognized in California, so Kalasho is now officially a “decline to state party affiliation” voter.

Originally the party of founding fathers Alexander Hamilton and John Adams, the Federalist Party advocated for a strong federal government but dissolved in the 1820s.  In 2016, a new Federalist Party formed with a polar opposite view, touting smaller government.

East County News Service

August 21, 2018 (Ramona) – The Ramona Chamber of Commerce will present the 48th annual Ramona Country Fair, Thursday, Aug. 23 to Sunday, Aug. 26, at the Ramona Outdoor Community Center, 421 Aqua Lane, Ramona. Admission is free. Parking is $5 per carload. Fair hours are: 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23, 5 to 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 24, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 26.

East County News Service

August 20, 2018 (El Cajon) – Shaun Pursglove sent in these photos of a large flag in El Cajon. He writes, “Many people in the East County have noticed this beautiful flag flying in our night sky.  I see it from my backyard (1st picture) and had to go see where it was coming from.  I took my dog for a walk and we tracked it down to Mauzy Heating, Air & Solar on Bond Ave (2^nd picture) in El Cajon.  It fills my heart with pride when I see it and thought you might want to share it and give Mauzy a shout out.  I put a thank you note on their door and posted both pictures on Facebook. 

By Miriam Raftery

August 19, 2018 (Alpine) – “Your life can change at the drop of dime,” Lisa Ford told a standing-room only crowd of more than 400 people packed the Alpine Community Center last night for a fundraiser to help survivors of the West Fire.

These are just some of the nearly $10,000 in prizes at East County Fest, our "Party of the Decade" celebrating our 10th anniversary on Saturday, August 25 from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails  Regional Park's beautiful visitors center. Get tickets.

By Miriam Raftery

Want to win a video production about your company or organization created by Raul Sandelin Films--a $1,200 value? 

Take home sports memorabilia from NBA superstar Bill Walton’s personal collection?

Get poker lessons from Richard Lederer, who taught his two children and they became world and national poker champions? 

Savor happy hour with friends at Hatfield Creek vineyard?  Or a vacation at an adobe inn at a winery? Or take home a barbecue for a cookout in your own backyard.

Wouldn't you love to win a beautiful pearl and silver ring and earrings set, baskets of wines, autographed books, restaurant gift certificates, San Diego Zoo passes, dance concert tickets, or tickets to a concert featuring a well-known performer at SDSU’s Cal Coast Open Air Theater?

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren, past president of the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild.

"There's a word for a self-published writer who never gives up... rich." Joe Konrath

August 18, 2018 (San Diego) – Top events this week include the San Diego Book Festival and East County Fest, where many prominent local authors will be signing copies of their books.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A FULL LIST OF BOOK EVENTS

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

August 18, 2018 (Santee) - It’s finally back.  You’ve waited all winter, spring and summer for it.  ECM Friday Night Lights has returned and it’s back and better than ever.  Our first stop is to Santana High, where we also got our first glimpse of not only the 2018 Sultans, but also of the Red Hawks, who made the journey in from Mountain Empire High School in Pine Valley.