By Miriam Raftery, Editor, East County Magazine

September 15, 2018 (Julian) – Is Julian losing its roots?  The historic gold rush town has dropped its Apple Days, a tradition dating back more than a century, replacing it with a season of other harvest celebrations.

By Sam Warren, past president of the San Diego Writers and Editors Guild (copyright 2018)

"Publication – is the auction of the mind of man."  —Emily Dickinson

September 14, 2018 (San Diego) – Upcoming activities include the Southern California Writers Conference, author appearances,  plus classes for authors and reporters.

CLICK TO SCROLL DOWN FOR A LIST OF BOOK EVENTS.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo left by Eric Metz

September 14, 2018 (Ramona) – Artist Chuck McPherson personally delivered his magnificent painting of Cedar Creek Falls to the lucky auction winner, Cindy Fuchser, at Lenora Winery in Ramona.  McPherson live-painted the artwork during East County Fest to benefit East County Magazine and the East County Wildfire and Emergency Alerts.

By Miriam Raftery

Hear our interview with Councilman Bill Baber on marijuana measures, originally aired on KNSJ radio, by clicking the audio link

September 13, 2018 (La Mesa) --The La Mesa City Council has approved by a 5-0 vote a ballot measure, Proposition V, which would allow the city to put a business excise tax on cannabis businesses in  La Mesa.  The tax, if approved, would be paid by the businesses, not consumers. The city’s finance departments estimate that the measure could raise $1.5 to $2 million per year.

“As a separate matter, we’re working on an adult use ordinance that would bring the opportunity for adult use businesses to come alongside medicinal,”  reveals Councilman Bill Baber in an interview with ECM on KNSJ Radio.  He envisions allowing dispensaries already complying with medical marijuana sales requirements to be the first to carry recreational cannabis.

East County News Service

September 14, 2018 (Julian) - Julian’s Old Fashioned Country Fair will be held September 22^nd and 23^rd at Julian Farm and Orchard (4381 Highway 78) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.  A cider press will provide fresh Julian apple cider.

Photo: Hurricane Florence, viewed from space, courtesy of NASA, is four times the size of Ohio.

September 14, 2018 (San Diego) -- San Diego-based International Relief Teams (IRT) is supplying relief aid to victims of Hurricane Florence on the East Coast. The hurricane is expected to cause massive damage from dangerous storm surges, coastal flooding, and unprecedented inland rainfall.

States of emergency have been declared in the Carolinas, Virginia, Maryland, and Georgia and more than one million people are under mandatory evacuation orders. A half million are currently without power.

To help families impacted by Hurricane Florence, please go to www.irteams.org/donate or mail a donation to 4560 Alvarado Canyon Rd, Suite 1H, San Diego, CA  92120.

By Jo Moreland, Alpine-Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce

September 13, 2018 (Alpine) - As a result of Alpine’s West Fire, a local organization to help provide tax-deductible donations for local causes is now a significant one for fire survivors. Thanks to generous people, businesses and organizations, donations for West Fire survivors are being made available for distribution through the Alpine Community Foundation.

Photo courtesy of Marty Ennis: Am anniversary commemoration of the PSA crash two years ago drew hundreds to Grossmont College to hear witnesses, first-responders and family members of those who perished share their memories of the tragedy. This year marks the 40^th anniversary and a film screening and discussion on Sept. 25will be open to the public. 

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) -- The 40^th anniversary of the PSA Flight 182 crash in San Diego that killed 144 people and scattered wreckage and carnage across North Park will be remembered at an event Sept. 25 at Grossmont College.  Family members of those who perished, as well as first responders and PSA workers, will share their memories following a free, public screening of the documentary film, “Return to Dwight and Nile,” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 25, at Grossmont College’s Griffin Gate, Building 60. 

East County News Service

September 13, 2018 (El Cajon) - Local nonprofit Hope for Iraqi Christians is hosting a gala fundraising dinner on Friday, September 28 at 6:30 p.m.  All proceeds will benefit refugees in Iraq and throughout the Middle East who have been driven out of their homes by conflict and genocide in the Middle East throughout the last several years. The event will be held at the University of San Diego Forums Hall, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: More than 50 Borrego residents made the long trip from the desert to show opposition to the project.

September 13, 2018 (Borrego Springs) – By a 3-2 vote, San Diego Supervisors rejected a request to upzone 169 acres in Borrego Springs. The proposed Borrego Country Club Estate project sought to build 169 homes on land currently zoned for just 16 residences.

The site known to locals as “Rudyville” is located in south Borrego Springs on land that includes ancient Ocotillo groves and endangered Peninsular Bighorn Sheep, among other species of concern.

The state has ordered Borrego to reduce its water consumption by 75 percent due to the community using more groundwater than is being replenished by rainfall, a fact that proved the key factor in blocking the project.

Scooter craze offers freedom for riders seeking alternatives to cars, but raises concerns over injuries, parking and public safety

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Scooter riders don't always follow traffic rules; cc by N.A.

September 9, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – The latest worldwide transportation craze has hit our region.  Electric “dockless” scooters for short-term rental are cropping up across San Diego County, offered by companies such as Bird, Lime, Uber and soon, Lyft.

September 12, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- East County Roundup highlights top stories of interest to East County and San Diego’s inland regions, published in other media. This week’s top “Roundup” headlines include:

LOCAL

• Second medical marijuana dispensary heads to Lemon Grove (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• County pushes more density in rural San Diego (Reader)
• Amazon to Expand San Diego Tech Hub, Create 300 More Jobs (NBC 7)
• Water officials take records dispute to state Supreme Court (San Diego Union-Tribune)
• State Sues Feds to Stop Renegade Sewage Flows (KPBS)

STATE

• Many California marijuana products failing safety tests ABC News)
• At Jerry Brown's climate summit, one deadline will overshadow all the others (Los Angeles Times)
• You can get a job at Caltrans in two days. It still has 1,100 openings. (Sacramento Bee)
• California’s succulent smugglers: plant poachers seed Asia’s desire for dudleya (S. China Morning Post)

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

By Miriam Raftery

September 7, 2018 (El Cajon) – Enjoy “A Night To Remember,” a masquerade ball at the beautiful Crystal Palace in El Cajon to benefit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center on September 28 from 7 p.m. to midnight.  No need for a tux – your mask is your costume!   Ticket deadline is Sept. 23.

Also savor dinner and an open bar, view a fashion show with local designers and models, and enjoy live entertainment by saxophonist Doug Allen and violinist Melissa Barriso, plus a DJ to dance the night away. An event photographer will capture special photo backdrops during this magical evening of festivities.

By Miriam Raftery

September 12, 2018 (La Mesa) — Vandals have damaged the La Mesa Depot and locomotive. Built in 1894, the depot is California’ oldest building in its original form, La Mesa Today reports.  A meeting is planned on September 25^th at the depot at the corner of Spring Street and La Mesa Boulevard to learn about efforts to raise funds to restore the depot, the last remaining station from the San Diego and Cuyamaca Railway.

By Ken Stone

Reprinted by Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association

Photo:  Devi Ketelsen, 7, reads statement to LAFCO board while being held by mother Jamie. Photo by Ken Stone

September 11, 2018 (Julian) - The only way to save Julian’s last-in-the-county volunteer fire department is to order it destroyed, LAFCO board members declared Monday.

By a 7-0 vote, the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission accepted staff advice to dissolve the Julian-Cuyamaca Fire Protection District.