East County News Service

September 24, 2019 (La Mesa) – From jazz to classic and modern music, to swing infused with an indie-pop vibe, plus country, pop, blues, and retro-funk, Ed Kornhauser plays it all. The pianist and keyboardist will be live at The Table: United Church of Christ in La Mesa (5940 Kelton Ave.) on Sunday, October 27 at 2 p.m.

East County News Service

September 24, 2019 (Valley Center) -- Bates Nut Farm in Valley Center (15954 Woods Valley Rd.)  invites you to bring your dog, enjoy the pumpkin patch and compete in a Howl-o-ween doggie costume contest and parade.  The fun takes place on Saturday, October 26th.  

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2019 (Boulevard) – An attorney representing Backcountry Against Dumps (BAD) and Donna Tisdale contends that the multiple use permit for the Rugged Solar project in Boulevard has expired and that extensions granted by the county were illegal.  In his letter dated September 10, 2019, attorney Stephan C. Volker argues that the property’s owner/applicant, Hamann Company and Clean Focus Renewables, cannot built on the nearly 800-acre site located between McCain Valley and Ribbonwood Road unless they apply for a new multiple use permit and additional review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

By Miriam Raftery

September 23, 2019 (Borrego Springs) -- The 52nd annual Borrego Days Desert Festival in Borrego Springs will be blossom Friday through Sunday, October 18- 20^th. This year’s theme is “Bloom in Borrego” to pay homage to the beauty of Borrego Springs and the surrounding 600,000 Anza Borrego Desert State Park. Festivities include a parade, live music, arts and crafts, kids’ activities and much more.

East County News Service

September 23, 2019 (La Mesa) – The Boys & Girls Clubs of East County (BGCEC) will host a one-year anniversary celebration for the Brady Family Clubhouse in La Mesa that houses the Eleni and Wolfgang Gagon Academy, a learning center and homework room, and the Bill Walton Gymnasium.

The celebration, to include speeches and refreshments, will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3 at the Brady Family Clubhouse, 7600 Junior High Dr., La Mesa.

By Jose A. Alvarez, County of San Diego Communications Office

Photo:  The Beacon apartments, in East Village, will open Sept. 20.

September 22, 2019 (San Diego) - High rental prices and low vacancy rates have made it extremely difficult for many San Diegans to find affordable places to live.

As part of its ongoing effort to help ease the affordable housing crisis impacting families, seniors and those experiencing homelessness, the County and its many government and social service partners are building more than 3,000 new housing units to help people find a stable place to live.

East County News Service

September 21, 2019 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announced its lineup of alcohol that will be served on Friday, October 4th at the "First Friday Night Market" Chamber beer garden at Grossmont Center.  The styles of Mike Hess Brewing Company's beers being offered are:  Grapefruit Solis, an IPA with grapefruit, Hop Cloud, the first of their Hazy IPAs, offering unlimited pineapple, mango and citrus, and Steel Beach, a crisp, light-bodied and refreshing lager beer that defines craft lager beer.

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2019 (Campo) – Guests kicked up their heels in more ways than one at the Campo Creek Vineyards first-ever Grape Picking and Stomping Party on September 7^th. 

Wine club members and other visitors first got a taste of what it’s like to pick grapes, getting tips on harvesting ripe Pinot Noir grapes on the vines. 

Located on a cattle ranch that dates back to 1888,  the vineyard now has 10,000 vines and the winery produces hand-crafted wines, many with labels featuring cattle, cowboys and ranching themes.

East County News Service

September 20, 2019 (El Cajon) -- The German-American Club of San Diego hosts its annual Oktoberfest at its headquarters in El Cajon on the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October.  A trip for two to Germany will be the grand prize for a lucky winner in prize drawings during the event.

“We applaud the 26 California jurisdictions that have taken these steps and encourage El Cajon to join them.” – Dana Stevens

By Dana Stevens, Community Action Service & Advocacy (CASA)

By Miriam Raftery

September 20, 2019 (San Diego) – In addition to student climate action strikes taking place today across the nation,  East County will be hosting a climate action event at Lake Murray Community Park today at 3 p.m. to stand in solidarity with youth activists on this important issue.

Katie Eder, a 19-year-old climate justice activis, and the executive director of Future Coalition is a helping to coordination the coalition of youth-led organizations organizing and mobilizing today’s climate strike in over 500 U.S. cities and 100 nations.

“I’m proud to announce that the US Climate Strike youth coalition has finalized a set of bold demands,” she says.  “Too often, we think about solutions in a very small-minded way, inside the box, way. We don’t have time to stay in the box. We need to be more innovative with our solutions and ask for what we need, not what we think could be possible or has been possible in the past.”

By Jonathan Goetz

Photo: Screenshot, City of La Mesa video

September 20, 2019 – (La Mesa) – La Mesa Police Chief Walt Vasquez presented a report on citizen police oversight practices at last week's City Council hearing and made suggestions for an 11-member Citizen Public Safety Panel to exchange information for the betterment of public safety in La Mesa. But his panel would lack investigative powers to look into complaints involving the police department.

Public testimony was against the Chief's proposal, and Councilwoman Dr. Akilah Weber grilled Vasquez on whether he adequately canvassed residents for input.