East County News Service

March 28, 2018 (San Diego) - All westbound lanes of Interstate 8 (I-8) from State Route 163 (SR-163) will close Wednesday at 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday for the I-8/Interstate 5 (I-5) Interchange Improvement Project.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2018 (Washington D.C.) – The attorneys generals of Maryland and Washington D.C. have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump, alleging that he is violating the emoluments clause of the Constitution.  The emoluments clause prohibits federal official from becoming personally enriched by accepting gifts, titles or emoluments from any “King, Prince or foreign state.

By Miriam Raftery

March 28, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A boy alleged to have stolen his family’s pickup truck led police on a chase that ended in a crash into a Spring Valley gas station, igniting a fire that caused $200,000 worth of damage.

Patch.com reports that the incident started around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday when a Sheriff’s deputy tried to stop a green Toyota Tacoma pickup truck driving without headlights on Jamacha Boulevard.  The driver refused to stop and sped off, losing control as he turned onto Sweetwater Springs Boulevard.

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes Spring Harp Fest in La Mesa, a comedy film night in Spring Valley, Hawk Talk at Mission Trails, a Lilac Festival in Santa Ysabel, and jazz great Chuck McPherson at Cuyamaca College.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including an event honoring the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., the Peg Leg Smith Liar’s Contest, Meet the Winemakers Weekend, a dance presentation of the Constitution, Sweet Pea Days at Summers Past Farms, Cajon Classic Cruises season opener, Heritage of the Americas Museum’s anniversary celebration, an antique and crafts fair, and the San Diego Festival Chorus and Orchestra’s spring concert.

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

By Miriam Raftery

March 27, 2018 (Spring Valley) – The Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s Station will host a coffee with the community on Thursday, March 29 at the Spring Valley Teen Center, 838 Kempton Street in Spring Valley.

The Rancho San Diego substation serves communities from Mt. Helix south to Jamul.

Source: Monica Zech, City of El Cajon Public Information Officer

Photos by Michele Miller, City of El Cajon Public Works Dept.

March 26, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon celebrated the 29^th annual Arbor Day at Kennedy Park on Saturday, March 24^th at 8 a.m.  During the ceremony, the City received its 21^st Tree City USA award presented by CAL FIRE.  There was a large turnout by members of the community, including the Lions Club from Granite Hills High School and Key Club from Grossmont High to plant trees at Kennedy Park.

Source:  Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District

Photo:  Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture students and their instructor, Donald Schultz, (top right) celebrate their wins in the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

March 26, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) - The Cuyamaca College Ornamental Horticulture program is turning heads after yet another standout performance at the National Collegiate Landscape Competition.

Nine students took part in the 42nd annual event, and their average score topped the average scores for students at any of the 62 colleges and universities taking part in the competition at Alamance Community College in North Carolina. Competing against major institutions such as Brigham Young University, Virginia Tech and the University of Georgia, Cuyamaca College was the only school with three students finishing among the top 25 in total points.

East County News Service

March 26, 2018 (Alpine) -- Viejas Casino and Resort in partnership with Goldenvoice today unveiled its 2018  Viejas Concerts in the Park lineup. This summer’s performers will include Wynonna Judd, Loverboy, Three Dog Night, Little River Band, Los Tigres Del Norte, Jeff Foxworthy, Eddie Money, Jeff Dunham, Peter Cetera, Creedence Clearwater Revisited, and King of the Cage, with more performers to be announced soon.

Source: Cuyamaca College; photo by Laurent Kramer

March 26, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- Here’s music to the ears of jazz fans: legendary jazz saxophonist Charles McPherson will give a free talk and music demonstration April 5 at Cuyamaca College.

“Conversations with a Legend: Charles McPherson,” organized by communication instructor Lindy Brazil as part of her class, “Arts and Culture in San Diego,” is set for 11:30 a.m.- 12:50 p.m. Thursday, April 5 in Cuyamaca College’s Digital Theater, Room B-101. The event is open to the public.

By Mary England, Councilmember 2000-2012 retired

March 25, 2018 (Lemon Grove) -- It seems that several of the current Lemon Grove Council members and the City Manager do not believe in “leading by example.”  The recent lawsuits, one that was settled for thousands and thousands of dollars, as well as the recent one just filed against a Councilmember and the City, with the Mayor being a person of interest, will undoubtedly cost more money.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – East County Magazine has reached out to officials in Santee and the County of San Diego after an investigative report by Voice of San Diego revealed that San Diego County is deleting emails after just 60 days, while the city of Santee retains e-mail records for just 180 days.  State law requires that email public records be retained for at least two years, according to Californians Aware, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving open government and access to public records.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

March 25, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, May 16th, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages you to join them and enjoy great food, good conversation and an evening in La Mesa hosted by EDCO.

EDCO is a family-owned and locally operated waste collection and recycling company serving numerous communities in Southern Californian since 1967. EDCO specializes in offering integrated, user-friendly waste removal and recycling programs to serve residential homes, multi-family properties, commercial businesses multi-tenant buildings, industrial centers, construction sites, and community events.

East County News Service

March 23, 2018 (San Diego) -- On Sunday, April 29^th, Bags & Baubles will bring pet lovers and trendsetters together to shop the season’s hottest looks while giving back to the community. From 1:00 - 4:30 pm, the Foundation for Animal Care and Education (FACE) will host its annual silent auction event at an exclusive Rancho Santa Fe estate to raise funds and awareness for local San Diego pets in need of life-saving care.

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Story and photos by Liz Alper

March 23, 2018 (San Diego) - San Diego State lacrosse has won two straight and tonight faced Liberty.  The Flames have been burning their way through SDSU sports lately, facing men’s tennis earlier this week.  Lacrosse was their next stop.

Copyright 2018 by Sam Warren

Writing is a way of talking without being overheard. — Jules Renard

March 23, 2018 (San Diego) – From events at local libraries to appearances at bookstores by best-selling libraries, here are the literary happenings coming up across our region.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS