Experience the captivating blend of art and nature at Ilan-Lael Foundation's Spring Tours, exploring visionary creations of founder James Hubbell in Santa Ysabel

Story courtesy of Ilan-Lael Foundation

Photos, left by Kristin Kjaero and Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2023 (Santa Ysabel) - Immerse yourself in the enchanting and fantastical world of renowned artist and architect James Hubbell, founder of the Ilan-Lael Foundation at the 2023 Spring Tours. The world-famous compound will open its doors to visitors every Monday, Friday, and Saturday until June 17 with tours running at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Located in the stunning hills of Santa Ysabel, California, Ilan-Lael offers a unique and captivating experience for art and nature enthusiasts alike. Built “from the earth up” as living and working spaces for himself and his family, Hubbell spent over two decades creating the awe-inspiring structures. Despite losing four of the Ilan-Lael buildings in the 2003 Cedar Fire, Hubbell, his family, and team came back stronger and rebuilt with the help of the community. Their Spring Tours provide a rare opportunity to explore this extraordinary space, where Hubbell’s vision can be seen and felt.

By Miriam Raftery

June 7, 2023 (Ramona) -- The rider who died yesterday afternoon in a crash while performing jumps at the Slayground Motocross Park in Ramona as been identified as Patrick Michael Casey of Riverside, according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office. 

A  BMX champion who turned pro at age16,  Casey is remembered as "an incredible BMX rider, multiple X games, Simple Session medalist, and an all-around fantastic human," Simple Session posted on Facebook. "We are heartbroken about the news and sending lots of love and prayers to his wife, Chase, his son Reid, and his daughter Taytum. This crushing news will send shockwaves through the BMX and action sports world today."

By Kathy Carpenter

June 6, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Gioia di vivere!” The joy of living is expressed in Slikworms, Lamplighters Theatre’s latest production, by local playwright Connie Terwilliger. A world premiere, Silkworms represents three generations of women. Silkworms need mulberry leaves to survive; both are interdependent.  Similarly, the women in this play need each other for support and love.

The grandmother provides wisdom and guidance, the mother provides love and support and the daughter provides hope and new beginnings. Together, they form a strong and unbreakable bond that sustains them through good times and bad. Silkworms is relatable, humorous and poignant.

East County News Service

June 6, 2023 (Santee) -- Santee officials say it’s music to their ears – with the start of the city’s Summer Concerts taking stage on June 15th and running through August 17^th. 

The concerts are held at  Town Center Community Park East on Thursday nights from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. (except for July 6^th).

By Daniela Torres

Photo via Wikipedia, public domain image

June 5, 2023 (Washington D.C.) -- Representatives María Elvira Salazar of Florida and Veronica Escobar of Texas have proposed a bipartisan immigration bill, the Dignity Act of 2023. If enacted, it would provide immigrants with a path to citizenship, while also strengthening border security and phasing in e-verify requirements for employers.

Salazar, a Republican, has been working on the bill alongside Escobar, a Democrat, since December of 2022 before introducing HR 3599 in late May. View a summary of the bill on Salazar’s site.

East County News Service

June 5, 2023 (Ramona) -- The San Diego Humane Society recently posted on Facebook, “We bear-ly can contain our excitement, as two bear cubs have an incredible second chance at life in the wild after spending five months at our Ramona Wildlife Center for care and rehabilitation!”

By Miriam Raftery

June 5, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – On May 30, Lemon Grove Mayor Raquel Vasquez picked up nomination documents from the Registrar of Voters to run for County Supervisor District 4 in the August 15 special primary election to fill the vacancy left by Nathan Fletcher’s resignation. But today, one day before the filing deadline, Mayor Vasquez announced in an e-mail to followers that she has decided not to run.

“Though I have the experience, qualifications, and ability to serve the residents of District 4, I will be taking a step back. I will continue to build consensus on other pathways to help our communities grow and prosper,” she stated. “Residents who live, work and play in Rancho San Diego, Spring Valley, Casa de Oro and Lemon Grove are worthy of a leader who will invest in our communities. I wish the candidates all the best with their campaigns and look forward to working with the elected County Board of Supervisors for District 4.

June 5, 2023  (San Diego) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego's inland regions, published in other media.  This week's round-up stories include:

LOCAL

• Poll finds large majority of San Diego County officeholders received political threats (KPBS)
• The Padres Spent Big on Players—Then Lost the TV Deal That Helps Pay for Them (Wall Street Journal)
• La Mesa rejects 950-unit apartment complex amid affordable housing concerns (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• 13 Point Brewing to close (San Diego Beer  News)
• San Diego Native American Tribe is Second in Nation to Own Part of Professional Sports Franchise (NBC San Diego)
• After a girl is shot, El Cajon increases oversight on a motel. The business thinks there’s more to the story (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• It’s ‘not glamorous,’ but El Cajon is leaning toward using its surplus to pay down pension debts (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• What will it take to end the Teamsters bus driver strike in San Diego? (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• NPR investigation reveals coverup of a deadly friendly fire accident in the Iraq War  (NPR)
• Escondido’s Mayor Used to Live on the Street Behind a 7-Eleven (Voice of San Diego)
• Land around the U.S. is sinking. Here are some of the fastest areas. (Washington Post)

STATE 

• State Farm halts new property insurance policies in California (OC Register)
• A startup is helping California remove carbon from the air to meet climate goals (NPR)
• This law should reveal who’s paying for California legislators’ travel. It’s only been used twice  (KPBS)
• Colorado River deal: What does it mean for California?  (KPBS)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

LOCAL

East County News Service

June 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) -- AnniVenti La Trattoria, an Italian restaurant owned and operated by three brothers, is now open in Lemon Grove. The restaurant is named after their family's original restaurant located just 10 miles from Palermo in Italy, where the brothers grew up working. Emanuele Gagliano, one of the brothers, says, "It's been our lifelong dream to bring the authentic tastes of Italy to Lemon Grove, and we're thrilled to share our passion for modern Italian cuisine with you."

AnniVenti La Trattoria's menu reflects the Italian heritage of the Gagliano brothers with a contemporary twist to tantalize your taste buds. Their diverse selection of dishes caters to all palates, whether you're in the mood for a romantic dinner for two or a group gathering. The menu includes various antipasti, such as the crunchy pistachio burrata and the zuppa cozzee e vongole, along with a selection of salads and sides. Their primi piatti/pasta section includes dishes like the Spaghetti Vongole e Pistacchio, the Paccheri e Scampi, and the Gnocchi Sorrentina, while their entrées section features dishes like theFiletto Di Manzo, the  Pollo Arrosto, and the Salmone di Bronte.

June 4, 2023 (San Diego's East County) -- Our Health and Science Highlights provide cutting edge news that could impact your health and our future.

HEALTH

• Infection toll for recalled eyedrops climbs to 81, including 4 deaths, CDC says  (NPR)
• Man with paralysis walks naturally after brain, spine implants (CNN)
• DEA moves to revoke major drug distributor's license over opioid crisis failures (NPR)
• A multivitamin supplement may slightly improve memory and slow decline (NPR)
• More women sue Texas saying the state's anti-abortion laws harmed them (KPBS)
• Doctors are reluctant to practice in states that banned abortion  (NPR)
• NIH study uses AI to study diet and tailor nutrition advice to improve health (NPR)

SCIENCE  AND TECH

• A lawyer used ChatGPT to prepare a court filing. It went horribly awry.(CBS)
• Revenge of the orcas? Killer whales have sunk 3 boats in unusual attacks.  (Washington Post)
• Fake viral images of an explosion at the Pentagon were probably created by AI (NPR)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

June 4, 2023 (Lemon Grove) – The City of Lemon Grove invites you to Concerts in the Park each Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Berry Street Park (7071 Mt. Vernon St., Lemon Grove).  The concerts run from June 29 through August 10.

East County News Service

June 4, 2023 (San Diego’s East County) -- throughout the month of June, approximately 4,746 students earning a high school diploma from nine comprehensive high schools, two charter schools, and three alternative high schools in the Grossmont Union High School District will be donning caps and gowns for commencement exercises.

 Listed below are the total graduate numbers and the names of the Valedictorians and Salutatorians at each school.

By Jessyka Heredia

June 2, 2023 (La Mesa)-State Assembly candidate Colin Parent kicked off his campaign for the 79^th State Assembly  at Bolt Brewery in La Mesa on Wednesday with approximately 35 supporters in attendance.

Parent spoke briefly to the crowd, noting that in 2016 he became the first Democrat elected to the La Mesa City Council in years. “We have accomplished a lot already,” he said.

For example, he noted that the city “broke ground earlier this year on the first 100% affordable housing project in the city in decades--right next to the trolley, right caddy corner to city hall. It’s going to create hundreds of units for low- and moderate-income families.”  He added, “We also adopted some rules to make it much, much easier for homeowners to build Accessory Dwelling units (ADU) in their backyard.”

Parent also addressed equity issues, stating, ”Three years ago we decided for the first time to fly the pride flag and just this week, we fought back a proposal to eliminate that.”

June 1, 2023 (La Mesa) -- Today, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) dismissed both unfair labor practice charges that Sharp healthcare filed against SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) regarding an election in which 1500 workers at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa voted to form a union. 

By Editor, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Ha-Seong Kim had the decisive blast a the Padres’ 4-2 ninth-inning comeback broadcast on Bally Sports San Diego in 2022. Photo credit: Screen shot, Bally Sports San Diego

June 1, 2023 (San Diego) - The Padres and Bally Sports are partners no more.