December 9, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - Viejas has been working to raise 14,000 toys for the local Salvation Army’s East County Toy Drive toy drive to help families in need across our region.  Last year, Viejas collected over 12,000 toys and this year they are hoping to break that record with help from tribal members, employees at the Viejas Casino and Resort, and hundreds of local residents.

By Janis Russell

December 9, 2014 (La Mesa)- The Brighter Side is a boutique that offers services and products to women with breast cancer who are in recovery. Founded in Solana Beach in 1997, The Brighter Side opened its La Mesa store a year ago.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

Readers

December, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - December 7 (Sunday, 3:00 pm) — Warwick's and Words Alive present Cary Elwes in conversation to discuss his new book, As You Wish, the behind-the-scenes account about the making of The Princess Bride. The event will be held at the David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, The Jewish Community Center, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037. This is an OFFSITE ticketed event, and a copy of the book is included. Tickets can be purchased here. Check-in and doors open at 2:15PM and seating is first-come first-served.

East County News Service

December 8, 2014 (Julian)—Sheriff’s deputies have arrested three teens reportedly caught in the act spray painting graffiti on buildings at Julian Union High School on Saturday.  They are suspected in several prior vandalism cases with damage of nearly $40,000 total.

Our interview is now online! Listen to the full interview, with excerpts of 3 of Dannie Marie's songs, here: https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/audio/2019/August/DannieMarie-FINAL-interview%2B3excerpts.mp3

December 8, 2014 (San Diego’s East County) – Hear our interview with Dannie Marie, a talented local singer, songwriter and actress who is taking Nashville, Memphis and Los Angeles by storm.  Those of you in East County may know her as Danielle Marie Pupa, a graduate of Steele Canyon High School. 

Watch the sneak preview excerpt here http://youtu.be/nIEdflaq_MI and full interview at the link above, which originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM. .The program also features excerpts from three songs that will be featured on Dannie Marie's soon-to-be-released CD, along with our interview with this rising local star.

Dannie Marie’s hit music video, “Flavor of the Week” has been winning awards and recognition at music festivals; it was also featured in the movie “Music High.” She’s been in movies and commercials, and on TV.  She’s also been performing at major venues across our region, including a performance coming up in February at House of Blues in San Diego. Her songs serve up country music with a pop flair—and her musical style has been likened to Taylor Swift.

East County News Service

December 7, 2014 (San Diego) – When the Poinsettia Bowl kicks off at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego on December 23^rd, the San Diego State Aztecs will be making the team’s fifth consecutive bowl appearance.  This year, the Aztecs will be playing the Navy.

What Mama Said, by Gladys Seedorf (Seedorf Publishing, Battle Creek, Michigan, 2013, 91 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

December 7, 2014 (San Diego's East County) - In dedicating this book to her mother, Willie Jewel Peterson, first time author Gladys Seedorf writes a heartfelt memoir that will resonate with many readers; What Mama Said. It certainly resonates with me, as it brings about poignant reminders and experiences I had with my own mother. Having interviewed the author over the phone, also contributed to the affinity that I have for Seedorf’s writing style.

East County News Service

December 7, 2014 (San Diego)—By a 20 to 1 vote, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) has voted to appeal a ruling on its 2050 Regional Transportation Plan to the California Supreme Court.  Oceanside Deputy Mayor Chuck Lowery cast the lone vote against filing the appeal.

By Leon Thompson

Photos by Ken Jacques

December 6, 2014 – Those of us who love musicals know the importance of the storyline. But it’s the music that expresses the power, the grief, and the love that make Les Miserables the world’s longest running musical.  

SDSU’s School of Theatre, Television and Film has teamed up with the School of Music and Dance to present “Les Miserable, the Concert” – a lavish production focused on music, not stagecraft, with nearly 200 musical performers on stage throughout the evening.  This production is like skipping to the good parts without missing the plot.  A final performance will be held Sunday, December 7^th at 2 p.m.  (For tickets visit http://ttf.sdsu.edu/.)

December 6, 2014 (San Diego’s East County)--Following recent rain, CAL FIRE’s San Diego Unit has lifted the suspension of burning within State Responsibility Area (SRA) in San Diego County effective Monday, December 8, 2014.

Source: San Diego Sheriff

December 6, 2014 (San Diego)--The San Diego County Sheriff's Department wants your help in identifying and finding a man who robbed a bank in the East County on Black Friday.  It happened just before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, November 28th at the Wells Fargo Bank located inside Vons in the 13000 block of Camino Canada in an unincorporated area of El Cajon.

East County News Service

December 5, 2014 (Valley Center) – A bomb threat e-mailed to an NBC news station threatened to place explosives targeting San Diego Gas & Electric Company work trucks over a land use dispute in Valley Center. 

Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson investigators shut down the Spearhead Trail area for two hours yesterday afternoon to assure that it was safe.

Subsequently, deputies arrested Frits Versteegh, a nearby resident who sent the threatening email, said Sergeant Jeff Lauhon.

December 2, 2014 (El Cajon) – The San Diego County Law Library announces a free legal clinic in El Cajon at 250 East Main Street.  The clinic will provide free legal services on Wednesdays from now through December 17th in the areas of family law, immigration, consumer law, employment law, business law, wills and trusts, civil litigation and more.