Public urged to attend and support call to save the theater; plan will reopen venue before City’s Centennial celebration this fall and calls for phased renovation

June 21, 2012 (El Cajon) – After objecting to a proposal by the City of El Cajon to demolish East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a hotel on the site, community members have united around a goal of saving the theater, forming the ECPAC Foundation.

At a recent meeting, Council voted to reject a developer’s proposal to tear down the theater, then invited ECPAC Foundation to submit a proposal to save the venue.

Today, the organization will hold a press conference at El Cajon City Hall, 200 Civic Center Way, at 3 p.m. to outline its proposal.  The group will submit an extensive plan for operating the theater to the City Manager at 3:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to come show support to save ECPAC.

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) – A brush fire this evening at Lavala Lane and Highway 8 Business loop in El Cajon charred at least two acares, forcing evacuations in the area briefly, Incident Page Network reported. Helicopters dropped water on the blaze, swiftly bringing it under control.

Heartland Fire Dispatch reports units are now being released from the scene.

June 12, 2012 (El Cajon) 9:35 a.m. – Power remains out in parts of El Cajon following a transformer fire this morning. Heartland Fire & Rescue crews in El Cajon responded to reports of a transformer fire in the 200 block of Lincoln Avenue in El Cajon. As crews arrived, they found not only the transformer fire, but downed power lines and a resulting vehicle fire. 

This year’s show will feature WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more "Flying Museums" including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel. Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, daring aerobats performances, and much more.

May 28, 2012 (El Cajon) – This morning between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m., a series of “hot prowl” burglaries occurred at homes in the vicinity of Mollison and Bradley in El Cajon.  A “hot prowl” burglary occurs while residents are home, often at night while victims are sleeping. 

ECPAC Foundation, SAVE ECPAC groups  plan rally to save theater at 1 pm;  workshop at 2 p.m.; Council meeting at 3 p.m.

May 22, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Today at 1:30 p.m., the El Cajon Council will hold a special workshop on the future of the East County Performing Arts Center.   Council has given an exclusive 180-day agreement to a developer to propose plans for tearing down the theater and building a hotel.  Today, developer E. Neal Arthur will present his plans at the workshop.

Suspects drove black Volkswagen and tan minivan 

May 14, 2012 (San Diego’s East County)—Two different men approached female students walking to Grossmont High School last week, offering rides. A letter sent by principal Dan Barnes today warns parents to “make sure your child does not travel to school alone. It’s always best to walk with a buddy or group of friends.”

May 3, 2012 (El Cajon) – It's been two years since the East County Performing Arts Center went dark.  But on Monday, a group of concerned citizens seeking to "Save ECPAC" took a behind-the-scenes tour last week to determine the extent of repairs needed to reopen the cherished community landmark. 

Although challenges are steep, the good news is that the cost for critical repairs appears to be significantly less than the estimates  provided by the city for a more ambitious renovation.

April 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- Downtown El Cajon and Arts Alley Gallery Walk 2012 kicks off this Friday, with live music, food and beverages, and giveaways for the public.  Gallery Walk events are set to be held from 5-8 p.m. on April 20, June 15, October 26, Novembr 16, and December 7.

April 14, 2012 (El Cajon)--The secret is out!

Grossmont College, as part of its free 50th Anniversary Community Open House, has announced the Guinness world’s record that will be attempted on Saturday, April 14. Previously, the college has kept undisclosed the nature of the record.

The attempted record to be broken will be the most individual contributions to a birthday card. Grossmont College hopes to break the current record of 1,468 people to sign a birthday card with their name and a greeting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., which is the event timeframe for Grossmont College’s 50th Anniversary Open House on Saturday, April 14.

• Strong majority backs Jerry Brown’s tax initiative (LA Times)
• Judge tentatively rules for California in school funding suit (Sacramento Bee)
• Mitt Romney announces California team (Sacramento Bee)
• Beekeepers ask EPA to ban pesticide (Sacarmento Bee)
• Solyndra times seven (City Journal)

• Feds: San Onofre to remain shut down indefinitely (UT San Diego)
• El Cajon Council fills vacancy (UT San Diego)
• Is prison realignment working in San Diego? (KPBS)
• Defendant rolls on Sweetwater Board member (UT San Diego)

Update March 25, 2012:  Outrage over Alawadi's brutal murder has spread around the world.  Now a Facebook page called One Million Hijabs for Shaima Alawadi has been launched, featuring a photo of college students wearing hijabs in a show of solidarity with the El Cajon murder victim:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/One-Million-Hijabs-for-Shaima-Alawadi/137306256397032

March 24, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Shaima Alawadi, 32, mother of five children, has died of injuries sustained Wednesday when she was found savagely beaten in her home.

ECM news partner 10 News  confirms that Alawadi was taken off life support this afternoon. The death is being investigated as a murder--and a family member believes the killing was a hate crime.

By Miriam Raftery; Bill Crotty also contributed to this report

“There is absolutely nothing wrong with that theater. It could be cleaned up and opened tomorrow.” – Paul Russell, former manager of the theater and founder of Christian Youth Theater

March 15, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Leaders of East County arts groups reacted with shock and condemnation to news that the El Cajon Council, by a 4-0 vote, agreed to enter into an exclusive negotiation with developer E. Neal Arthur for plans to tear down the East County Performing Arts Center (ECPAC) and build a Marriott hotel in its place.

Under Arthur’s plan, the hotel would have a “portable stage to accommodate limited performing arts.” 

But arts experts say that’s woefully inadequate –and leveled sharp criticism at the council. Some also contend that the Council failed to provide adequate notice the community before taking action.

March 7, 2012 (El Cajon ) – Community leaders expressed shock and sadness today over the resignation of El Cajon Councilmember Jillian Hanson-Cox.