East County News Service

March 9,2016 (Alpine) — The Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce has announced the following upcoming events for the remainder of 2016.  These include monthly Hot Topics breakfasts, mixers, and special events including an “I Love a Clean Alpine” Earth Day celebration April 23, leadership awards, the annual Snow Festival, and more.

Scroll down for the full schedule, or visit www.AlpineChamber.com.  You can also stop by the Chamber office at 1620 Alpine Blvd. Suite 208, in Alpine or call 619-445-2722, or email AlpineChamber@att.net.

Deadline to run is Friday, March 11

Republican Mike Harrison, Deputy Chief of Staff to Congressman Duncan Hunter, has announced he is dropping his race for the 71^st Assembly district seat that encompasses most of East County.  As of today, only Santee Mayor Randy Voepel, also a Republican, has turned in candidacy papers to run.

The deadline to file paperwork to run for this office (and other federal or state offices)  is March 11 at 5 p.m. Candidates must first pick up nomination forms at the County Registrar of Voters and submit at least 40 valid signatures of voters in the district by the March 11 deadline (up to 60 may be submitted) and pay a filing fee of $1,090 for the 71st Assembly district. (Fees vary based on the office).  (learn more at www.SDVote.com)   

Tony Teora, also a Republican, pulled nomination papers but has not yet turned them in. Jerald Larkey, a Democrat, is listed as possible candidate at the Registrar’s site but did not yet pull nomination papers or turn paperwork in.

By Liz Alper

March 8, 2016 (Peoria, Az.) - A rocky spring training for the Padres got rockier last Sunday when the split squad faced the Oakland Athletics in Peoria.  

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2016 (Sacramento) – A new Assembly Speaker was sworn in this week in Sacramento, promising more government oversight and increased efforts to address childhood poverty, among other issues.

From the Editors of E - The Environmental Magazine

March 7, 2016 (San Diego's East County) -- What are the health and environmental risks of using a 3D printer to make stuff? —Will Nady, Pittsburgh, PA

California citrus - both on farms and in home landscapes - face a very real threat from a disease that is spread by Asian citrus psyllid. Florida and Texas citrus is already suffering terribly. California may be able to avoid the same fate, if all residents and farmers do their part to combat the pest.  A video on YouTube has details. View more high-resolution photos

Photos: Asian citrus psyllids, malformed leaves and deformed fruits caused by the deadly disease carried by this pest

By Jeannette Warnert, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

March 7, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) -- A tell-tale sign of spring in California is a flush of new leaf growth on citrus trees. Because the feathery light green leaves are particularly attractive to Asian citrus psyllids (ACP), the leaves' emergence marks a critical time to determine whether the pest has infested trees.

By Miriam Raftery

March 7, 2016 (Jamul)—60 guests hoisted glasses last month to toast the grand opening of East County’s newest wine tasting room: Casi Cielo Winery, located at their historical adobe ranch house at Maness Vineyards atop a sunny hilltop in Jamul just off highway 94.  It’s a dream that has been a long-time coming to fruition –a dream that began with two Italian immigrants back in the last century. As the afternoon sun bathes the adobe bricks and vineyards beyond in golden rays, it's not hard to see how Casi Cielo (Almost Heaven) got its name.

The winery offers a selection of  hand-crafted wines made with 25% grapes grown at the estate and 75% grapes grown in San Diego County.  With a motto “from juice to jelly,” Casi Cielo Farm & Vineyard also has a charming gift shop licensed under GregoArt.com featuring  a new line of delicious vineyard jellies (served up over chocolate cheesecake—pure bliss) as well as colorful hand-crafted quilts by Kathy, vineyard lifestyle attire and more.

By Liz Alper

Photo: SDDHL website

March 6, 2016 (San Diego) - Thanks to the return of the Gulls, hockey is growing in San Diego now more than ever.  One such example is the San Diego District Hockey League.

March 6, 2016 (San Diego) — Compliments of San Diego Write Way, here is an abundance of events for both readers and writers across San Diego County.

County News Service

Photo: Courtesy of CDC/James Gathany

March 6, 2016 (San Diego) -- Saving water is a good thing. It should never come back to bite you. The County of San Diego offers this advice on how to make sure your rain barrel isn’t breeding mosquitoes that could West Nile Virus or other diseases.

East County News Service

March 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) — The San Diego Association of Realtors, Senator Joel Anderson, American Legion 731 and the Virtual Counselor Network will host a Military Housing Resource Workshop for all current and former military members.  The free workshop will be held Saturday, March 18 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the American Legion  (7245 Linda Vista Road) in San Diego

March 5, 2016 (Anza Borrego Desert) - Calling all artists to take part in a plein air art contest in the high desert community of Shelter Valley outside of Julian, CA. This is an opportunity for artists and their friends and families to get outside and enjoy the Anza Borrego desert in the springtime. Two plein air contest categories will be featured, including desert landscapes and local Native American and stagecoach trails history. All visual art formats allowed.

By Sam Warren

March 5, 2016 (Mexico) - How did I come to live over a thousand miles away in the sleepy Mexican beach town of Zipolite? I love San Diego. Unfortunately, as a writer who has never had a best seller, I didn't salt enough money into my Social Security to survive in a city with such a high cost of living such as San Diego. When a friend told me about this hippy beach town in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, I had to go check it out. So I flew down with a couple of friends to see the area and decided that this was where I wanted to retire. It isn't the end of the world and as they have WiFi, I can still communicate with friends with email and Skype. There are also a number of other writers living or visiting the area.

East County News Service

March 4, 2016 (Alpine) – California Public Utilities Chairman Michael Picker has sent a response to Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s letter, in which Jacob asked for an independent state review of electromagnetic field levels in the Alpine area near the underground Sunrise Powerlink.  But Jacob contends, “The agency’s initial response falls far short of what must be done.” 

March 4, 2016 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Thanks to Eric Kallen for sending more photos of birds showing up in March in the high desert town of Jacumba Hot Springs—including both migratory and year-round residents. Below are his notes on this desert denizens: