Source: Bonitafest Melodrama

Photo:  Ella Aldridge plays the star-crossed Sadie in the 47^th annual Bonitafest Melodrama "Thin Skins and Hayseeds."

August 26, 2024 (Bonita)--South County’s 47^th annual Bonitafest Melodrama will look a lot like the first.  “Thin Skins and Hayseeds,” the popular musical-comedy produced as the first ever Melodrama in 1978, returns in September, freshened up and still rich with local history. It is the true story of the epic Sweetwater Valley Flood of 1916, sprinkled with poetic license, including a dash of “Romeo and Juliet.”

“Thin Skins and Hayseeds” runs September 25-28 at the Sweetwater Church Theater, 5305 Sweetwater Road. Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available by calling (619) 850-7126.

“The flooding of the Sweetwater and Otay Valleys in January 1916 remain the most remarkable historical events of this region,” said Bonitafest Melodrama Artistic Director Max Branscomb, a journalism professor at Southwestern College. “Weeks of epic rain caused the Sweetwater Dam to wash out and the Otay Dam to fail. Hundreds of people were killed and everything in the path of the water was destroyed.”

The flooding occurred after the city of San Diego pledged $10,000 to a purported rainmaker, Charles Hatfield, if he could end a drought. Hatfield promised to fill the Lake Morena reservoir and set up operations in Campo. Days after his efforts, heavy rains overflowed the dam at Lake Morena, causing devastation downstream throughout the Sweetwater river valley.  Coincidence, or did Hatfield truly have rainmaking secrets?  

By Miriam Raftery

August 23, 2024 (El Cajon) – Three seats are on the ballot in El Cajon.  In districts 2 and 4,  Councilmembers Michelle Metschel and Phil Ortiz are running unopposed.  In district 3, Councilman Steve Goble, a retired businessman, faces a challenge from  Courtney Hall, a public policy expert and data analyst.

Below are details on their experience, qualifications, accomplishments and endorsements.

East County News Service

August 27, 2024 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Dana Law has hiked the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail  from Mexico to Canada and the 800-mile Arizona Trail from Mexico to Utah.

On August 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Jacumba Library (44605 Old Highway 80), he will share his backpacking experiences on these trails, including recently completing the Arizona Trail, which included hiking the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim.

Source: Lemon Grove Lions Club

August 18, 2024 (Lemon Grove) -- In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Lemon Grove Improvement Council, Lemon Grove Lions Club and the Lemon Grove Forward Club joined forces  for a special mission: stuffing school supplies into backpacks for local students. With the new school year just around the corner, the importance of preparation can't be overstated.

Together, these dedicated organizations prepared around 200 backpacks filled with essential supplies, all destined for homeless students in the Lemon Grove area. The Lemon Grove School District played a crucial role by identifying the students most in need and will also assist in distributing the backpacks.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 18, 2024 (San Diego) -- August is National Golf month. This safety article is dedicated to one of the best people in the world.  My Dad Frank DiGiovanna!  He loved to golf and was instrumental in helping me write this. This week would have been his birthday. Here’s to you, Dad!

Golf really is a very safe sport and if you follow a few basic safety rules injuries can be reduced or eliminated.   Swinging of metal clubs propel golf balls at high speeds. If you’re in the way of either, you’re in danger. Following a few basic guidelines can help ensure your safety and that of those around you on the course.

By Mimi Pollack

Photo, left: Lauren Botticelli and Alf

August 11, 2024 (La Mesa) -- Nine years ago, I wrote an article on the all-breed dog rescue, the Animal Pad, which was then headed by Rebecca Weinrib and Stephanie Nisan.  A lot has changed since then, and this non-profit dog rescue based in La Mesa has really grown as it continues to save the lives of many dogs. TAP (The Animal Pad) rescues dogs from other shelters, dogs that are owner surrendered, and dogs from various [and sometimes perilous] situations in Tijuana and Baja California.

 Nisan and Weinrib have passed on the torch, with Nisan remaining on the Board of Directors. The present Executive Director and woman of many hats is the formidable Lauren Botticelli, who came in seven years ago. In addition, in 2020, TAP acquired a physical building on Avocado Blvd to run the day-to-day operations and house a kennel for up to 40 dogs.

East County News Service

August 15, 2024 – The Element Dance Center in La Mesa announces its upcoming charity event, "A Night of Hope," gala benefiting Dancers Against Cancer. This extraordinary evening of compassion, talent, and philanthropy is set to take place on August 24 at Joan Kroc Theater, just east of La Mesa at 6611 University Ave., San Diego.

The Element Dance Center has consistently demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young dancers' dreams while fostering unity and giving back to the community. "A Night of Hope" is designed to raise awareness and funds for Dancers Against Cancer, a nonprofit organization providing essential support and assistance to dancers and their families affected by cancer.

Story and photos via MTS

Photo, left: "Succession"mural by Maxx Moses

August 14, 2024 (La Mesa) --San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) passengers in La Mesa can now enjoy two new murals at the city’s Grossmont Transit Center along the Green Line and Orange Line Trolleys. Today, MTS unveiled two new works by local muralist and graffiti artist Maxx Moses. The Grossmont murals are part of a larger effort by MTS to provide a better, more inviting experience for passengers using the transit system.

“These murals are a way to represent our community and improve our rider’s comfort while waiting for their next ride,” said Patricia Dillard, MTS Board Member and City of La Mesa Vice Mayor. “Creating more inviting spaces along our system is a small way in which MTS is delivering better transit to everyone today.”

In the efforts to provide a more inviting experience on the transit system, MTS approached international muralist Maxx Moses for a new mural installation; he proposed two new works for the Grossmont Transit Center.

Story and Photos by Josh Stotler



August 12, 2024 (Spring Valley)--A vegetation fire threatened homes on Millar Ranch Road north of Millar Anita Ln in Spring Valley today. Some residents were ordered to evacuated and others asked to shelter in place amid flying ash and debris, with firefighting vehicles lining the roadway. Emergency responders helped escort evacuating residents to safety while crews worked to bring the blaze under control.

The fire was first reported at 1:24 pm and crews responded to find a fire in dense vegetation moving at a moderate rate of spread. Homes on Millar Ranch Rd were immediately threatened and more resources were ordered. Air and ground resources worked under a unified fire command to attack this fire head on and keep the loss of life and property to zero.

Cal Fire crews lit a back fire to eliminate fuel between the head of the fire and houses.

One homeowner, Grace Russo, stayed behind to help save her home. “I sent my daughter and my 90 year old mother to safety and I stayed behind with my labs,” she said of the family's dogs.

By Sandra Wenner Yeaman

Reviewed by Pennell Paugh

August 11, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Sandra Yeaman, a resident of El Cajon, CA, visited Iaşi, Romania in 1978. She was given a two-bedroom apartment with all the usual appliances found in U.S. apartments. She later found out her lifestyle was quite lush compared to local residents. However, on the downside she lived far from the school where she would be teaching English, and it wasn’t close to shopping.

The school at which she was a Fullbright English ­­­lecturer lacked a campus. In fact, the school only had one building. The instructors shared one room as an office and took turns acting as receptionists for the English department. When paid, the British English instructor and Yeaman were the first to be paid. Funds were passed around with the remaining funds. Yeaman and the British instructor made quite a bit more than the others.

The author only taught three days of the week. As a result, she regularly traveled to the Capitol, Bucharest, for weekend visits. Here’s an excerpt:

East County News Service

August 11, 2024 (Alpine)—Supervisor Joel Anderson is asking the public to sign a petition which he will deliver to Sweetwater Water Authority asking the agency to restore sunrise-to-sunset hours at Loveland Reservoir. You can sign the petition here.  

Anderson  has emerged as a champion for local recreational enthusiasts seeking to protect access at several local lakes, including a prior petition that yielded positive results.