By Miriam Raftery

“His behavior is extraordinarily irresponsible. A public official should not be in the business of threatening groundless litigation over acts that are things that reporters do every day.”  -- David Snyder, executive director, First Amendment Coalition

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) – El Cajon Councilman Ben Kalasho sent emails to San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Jeff McDonald repeatedly calling the award-winning journalist a “troll” and threatening legal action after McDonald asked tough questions about Kalasho’s business dealings and apparent conflicts of interests.

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Story by Liz Alper

Videos courtesy goaztecs.com

For Christian Chapman and Ron Smith’s portion of the press conference, click “read more” and scroll down

September 19, 2017 (San Diego) - With the Pac-12 behind them, SDSU football celebrated two wins against a tough conference and prepared to open Mountain West play against Air Force this Saturday.  Head coach Rocky Long, junior quarterback Christian Chapman and sophomore cornerback Ron Smith took the floor for this week’s press conference.

Source: Stephen Moran, San Miguel Fire District

September 19, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) --  Adrienne Koroly had his Lexus parked outside his home in Morena Valley. On Saturday morning , he drove from Morena Valley to his parents home on San Vicente Blvd in the Casa De Oro area of Spring Valley. When he stepped out, he heard meowing—not a typical engine purr.

Limited space still available! RSVP deadline extended.

September 12, 2017 (La Mesa) – Our next East County Dining Club event on September 21st at 6:30 p.m. just got even better! Sicilian Excellence will be offering tastes of Anticatindari and Buone Sergio Sicilian wines -- along with a delicious Italian special menu feast at Tiramisu Trattoria (8273 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa) plus local wine tasting  with the award-winning San Pasqual Winery,  Italian popular songs and arias performed by talented vocalist Valerie Watts, a wealth of prize drawings, and more are all part of the fun! 

We have a few seats left, so you can pay at the door ($28) but please call 619-698-7617 to RSVP or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.

Cost  includes plated four-course special menu dinner, wine tasting, tax, tip, entertainment, opportunities to meet neighbors and make new friends.

Special menu:  Bruschetta, choice of soup or salad and choice of entrée:  Ravioli Ricotta, Spinaci or Zucca, Melanzana Alla Parmigiana, Pollo Marsala or Picata, Fettucine Bolognsee, Rigotoni Alla Norcina, Cavatelli di Ricotta, and delicious dessert: Tiramisu (plain or strawberry)

By Miriam Raftery

September 18, 2017 (Rancho San Diego) – Heritage of the Americas Museum invites the public to a special presentation and reception, “Padre Johnson and his Gift of the Global Human Family” on Friday, October 6 from 3 to 5 p.m. 

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) -- According to a California Health Alert Network bulletin, San Diego County’s outbreak of hepatitis A now includes  cases in La Mesa, El Cajon and Santee as well as unincorporated areas of the County, though cases have now been confirmed “in all parts of the County,” the report states.

By Miriam Raftery

September 17, 2017 (Santee) – The officer who shot Robert Westbrook on State Route 125 the evening of September 8^th has been identified as Deputy Freddy Herrero. He has been employed as a deputy sheriff with the San Diego Sheriff’s station for four years and is assigned to the Santee Sheriff’s station.

By Miriam Raftery

September 16, 2017 (Sacramento) – Smoking or consuming marijuana in any form while driving or riding in vehicles will be illegal in California starting January 1 under Senate Bill 65, a bill by Senator Jerry Hill that Governor Brown signed Monday.

Mustangs use 14^th minute goal to hand Aztecs homestand-ending loss

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

September 16, 2017 (San Diego) - The San Diego State men’s soccer team fell to Cal Poly 1-0 on Friday night at the SDSU Sports Deck to cap a season-long four-game homestand. The Aztecs now sit at 2-4-0 on the season, while the win for Cal Poly improves the Mustangs record to an identical 2-4-0.

Classical menu brings on flavor, nostalgia and a bit of surprise

East County News Service

September 15, 2017 (Lemon Grove) -- With a fast approaching debut next month, the neighborhood eatery, Giardino, has finalized its menu and looks forward to opening its doors to the Lemon Grove community. Featuring Italian inspired cuisine in a welcoming and casual setting, the menu will feature a variety of classic dishes found throughout Italy.

By Miriam Raftery

September 15, 2017 (El Cajon) – The  28^th annual Sycuan Powwow was held last weekend at the Sycuan reservation, drawing tribal members from across the U.S.   The grand procession and ensuing Native American dance competitions provided a panoramic vista of swirling colors and patterns, as participants clad in full regalia performed timeless steps to the accompaniment of pulsating drum rhythms.

HAVING FUN IN TIJUANA: A Day Tripper’s Guide, by Sam Warren (Bookwarren Publishing, San Diego, California, 2017, 14 pages.)

Book Review by Dennis Moore

September 15, 2017 (Tijuana) - Sam Warren, the founder of SDWriteway, an online magazine in San Diego that has partnered with the East County Magazine, has written the indispensable guide to navigating through Tijuana, Mexico, and enjoying it; Having Fun In Tijuana: A Day Tripper’s Guide.

By Valerie Watts

By Miriam Raftery

September 14, 2017 (San Diego’s East County) - The Sunrise Powerlink Fire Mitigation Group (SPFMG) invites you to a public open house where you can learn more about the fire mitigation grants program and the results of the Year 2017 Grants Program.  The open house will be held Tuesday, September 19 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Alpine Community Center, 1830 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine.

By Jonathan Goetz

September 14, 2017 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa City Council gave the green light to Silvergate’s 130-unit apartment development at the site of the former Little Flower Haven Convent on La Mesa Blvd., reversing their earlier 2-2 deadlock.  The item passed 4-0 with Councilman Colin Parent recused because he lives near the site.

The development sparked mass opposition from neighbors, primarily due to a parking variance that allowed 193 parking spaces under a  State "density bonus" law as opposed to 260 spaces under La Mesa municipal code, because 10% of the project will be affordable housing units.

Council insisted their hands were tied and that they risked jail time if they didn’t approve the development.  The reversal comes after the developer’s lawyer sent a letter threatening to sue the city if Council would not approve the project.