September 30, 2013 (Ramona) – The H.E.A.R.T. Mural Project of Ramona, along with their sponsors, will present the First Annual Ramona Art and Wine Festival, to be held at the Amy Strong Castle at Mount Woodson. The festival will be held on November 2, 2013 from noon to 6 pm. Art, wine and food enthusiasts may purchase passports to the event by visiting www.RamonaArtandWineFest.net. General admission passports are $60, and a V.I.P. Passport is being offered for $110 that will include an exclusive “Winemakers’ Dinner” in the spring of 2014 (date TBD).

October 23, 2013 (Borrego Springs) – Dori Holladay’s 48^th Annual Borrego Days Desert Festival is October 25 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and October 26 & 27 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  This year’s event, renamed in honor of Dori Holladay (1937-2013), fondly called the Grand Dame of Borrego Springs will be anything but dry with a weekend filled with family entertainment.

The free festival features a music festival parade, artists, arts & crafts and food booths, and beer garden.  There will even be a carnival for the little ones. 

October 4, 2013 (San Diego’s East County) – SDG&E has notified East County Magazine’s Viejas Alerts that proactive power outages are possible due to high fire danger conditions.  A Red Flag Alert is in effect today through Sunday and a high wind watch has also been issued. 

Make sure you have flashlights and portable radio with batteries to stay informed during a power outage.  This is also a good time to sign up to follow ViejasAlerts at www.twitter.com so you can get text message alerts on your mobile phone.  If you have internet access you can also check our website for reports on fires at www.eastcountymagazine.org .

“We expect the highest winds between 4 a.m. and noon Saturday,” Stephanie Donovan, spokesperson for SDG&E, informed ECM.   Gusts of 50 to 70 miles an hour are expected in some places.

The utility has made outbound calls to 5600 customers warning of possible power shut-offs in the following areas:  Descanso, Mt Laguna, Viejas, Barrett Lake, East Jamul, Potrero, East Ramona, San Diego Country Estates, some portions of Santa Ysabel and North Wynola and Wynola, Japatul, Boulevard, Valley Center and Lake Wohlford. Click "read more" and scroll down for details.

By Howard W Cook, Jacumba Hot Springs Sponsor Group Chair

September 30, 2013 (Jacumba) -- When the Jacumba Hot Springs Community showed up to attend The Real East County Fire Safe Council(Ken Daubach, President) tonight 09/30/2013 at the Jacumba Hot Springs Fire station, the station was completely dark. Shutdown as it has been frequently in the past month. Likewise, Boulevard Fire Station was also dark tonight as it has been for most of the past several months.

Yet, in the EIR's for all of the recent electrical projects, Eco at Jacumba and the Boulevard substation as well as the Tule wind farm project the Fire Dept. establishment promised 24/7 coverage.

East County doesn't know who in the Fire establishment they can trust.

We had an medical emergency today out at De Anza Resort(probably a fatality). Eventually the station at White Star responded after an hour.

Sept. 30, 2013 (Julian) – Get spooked on a hayride complete with embellished accounts of early miners at The Julian Mining Company, 4444 Hwy 78, Julian.  The rides will be departing at 7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on October 18 – 19 & 25 -26.

You need to arrive a 1/2 hour before your ride begins. Enjoy complimentary popcorn, coffee and hot apple cider while you wait.

September 30, 2013 (Lakeside) -- A world-famous gambler and poker player known for the largest and longest documented winning streak in gambling history has been charged in a card-marking scheme at Barona Casino, the District Attorney’s Office announced. He reportedly cheated the casino out of more than $8,000.

Anargyros Karabourniotis, 62, also known as ‘Archie Karas,’ was caught, by the Barona Gaming Commission, marking cards at the casino’s blackjack table in Lakeside back in July, the DA’s Office said. He was arrested at his Las Vegas home on Tuesday and will be extradited to San Diego to face charges of burglary, winning by fraudulent means and cheating.

“This defendant’s luck ran out thanks to extraordinary cooperation between several different law enforcement agencies who worked together to investigate and prosecute this case,” said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.

September 30, 2013 (Santee) – The 4th Annual Santee Car Show and BBQ Festival is October 12, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Mission Gorge Rd. and Riverview Parkway in Santee.  Come see over 200 cars and trucks, motorcycles, hot rods, race cars vehicles.  The Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Association will also be represented.

September 30, 2013 (San Diego) – The San Diego County Water Authority is warning residents to watch out or scam artists posing as fake water agency employees. Recently, imposters have been calling local residents and offering to test their water for pollution or contamination – but they’re likely seeking opportunities for theft or fraud. 

The Water Authority and its member agencies are not responsible for fixing problems or testing inside private residences and rarely have reason to ask for entry. If a water agency were to need in-home contact, someone would call first to make an appointment. If anyone claiming to be a water utility employee comes to your home without an appointment, refuse them entry and contact your local water agency.

September 30, 2013 (El Cajon) –  Marsha Edwards, a 22-year veteran in her field, has started her new post as vice chancellor for human resources for the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District.

Edwards, who was born in Oregon and spent much of her life there, said she was intrigued by the job posting for the top human resources job at the East County college district.

 “When I looked into the position, it seemed like a good fit with my background and experience and would allow me the opportunity to work with two great colleges in a great climate – decision made!” she said.

By Janis Mork



September 30, 2013 (City Heights) - On the weekend of the 21st, some 30 would-be urban farmers flocked to hear Farmer Bill Tall from City Heights Farmers Nursery offer advice on how to raise chickens.  San Diego, along with several other jurisdictions locally, recently legalized backyard ownership of hens – though not roosters.

Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Tall led off with tips on keeping eggs.

“You don’t have to refrigerate them as long as you don’t wash them,” he said.  He advised storing washed eggs in a separate container from foods.

When a woman wanted to know why stores refrigerate the eggs, Tall answered, “Because they wash them,” then added that eggs do last longer in the refrigerator.

September 29, 2013 (Warner Springs) – Wine lovers are invited to savor wines from five wineries of the “North Mountain Wine Trail” area on Saturday, November 9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The event will be held at all five wineries and will pair wines with a full menu of gourmet foods.  Live music will also be provided at each site.

Participating wineries are La Serenissima, Orrin, Shadow Mountain, Hawk Watch, and Sierra Roble. The wineries are all within two miles of each other.

Tickets cost $45 and must be purchased in advance.  Last year’s event sold out early.  To purchase tickets online, visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/480324.

From P.A.C.E. to pine cones --Lemon Grove Council and Lakeside Community Planning Group agenda items

Members also vote to shut down red light cameras

By Janis Mork

September 29, 2013 (El Cajon) - At Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council meeting, Council unanimously voted to not set a fee on sale of alcohol. The councilmembers also voted 4-1 to permanently remove  the red light cameras, with Mayor Mark Lewis voting against the measure.

First was a resolution on the annual alcohol sales regulatory fee under the new Deemed Approved Alcohol ordinance, which restricts sale of single-serve alcohol containers and cracks down on stores selling to minors or people with a series of alcohol-related arrests.

It’s important we have a zero fee,” said Councilman Gary Kendrick. ”Then it has no effect on businesses that operate legally.”

By Miriam Raftery

September 29, 2013 (San Diego's East County)--Following our recent  special report, we’ve received some good news for East County veterans.   Our  investigation into County Veterans’ Services found that rural veterans were not getting their fair share of services. 

After our story aired on KNSJ radio last week, Supervisor Jacob’s office contacted us.   A staffer informed us that Supervisor Jacob held a meeting last week with County Veterans Service and asked for more equitable staffing.  The staffer informed East County Magazine that Supervisor Jacob plans to introduce a measure before the Supervisors that would bring  County Veterans Service representatives to County libraries throughout our region – including the most rural areas.

Public comments accepted between Oct. 8-18 and at hearing Nov. 15 in San Diego

September 27, 2013 (Campo) –  The Department of State Hospitals is proposing to release  a violent sexual predator, Douglas Badger, 70, from a state mental hospital and placing him at 30033 Hartfell Road in Campo.  Badger has been convicted of kidnapping and raping young male hitchhikers and sexually assaulting a young girl.  He’s been diagnosed as a sexual sadist, served several terms in prison and the past 18 years in a state mental hospital. 

“Given his violent history as a serial sexual predator, Douglas Badger forfeited his freedom long ago and should be locked up for good,” Supervisor Dianne Jacob stated in a media release. “It’s especially outrageous that this vile man would be housed at a location in Campo that is only four miles from two schools and a mile from a park where children gather and play.”