Source: Cuyamaca College; photo by Laurent Kramer

March 26, 2018 (Rancho San Diego) -- Here’s music to the ears of jazz fans: legendary jazz saxophonist Charles McPherson will give a free talk and music demonstration April 5 at Cuyamaca College.

“Conversations with a Legend: Charles McPherson,” organized by communication instructor Lindy Brazil as part of her class, “Arts and Culture in San Diego,” is set for 11:30 a.m.- 12:50 p.m. Thursday, April 5 in Cuyamaca College’s Digital Theater, Room B-101. The event is open to the public.

By Miriam Raftery

March 25, 2018 (Jamul) – At the Jamul-Dulzura Community Planning Group meeting this Tuesday, March 27, county officials will make a presentation on a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for a major housing and mixed used development in the  Proctor Valley area about a mile south of Jamul and east of Chula Vista.

Source: La Mesa Chamber of Commerce

March 25, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Wednesday, May 16th, the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce encourages you to join them and enjoy great food, good conversation and an evening in La Mesa hosted by EDCO.

EDCO is a family-owned and locally operated waste collection and recycling company serving numerous communities in Southern Californian since 1967. EDCO specializes in offering integrated, user-friendly waste removal and recycling programs to serve residential homes, multi-family properties, commercial businesses multi-tenant buildings, industrial centers, construction sites, and community events.

By Miriam Raftery

March 23, 2018 (Spring Valley) – A man suspected of intentionally seting a fire at 10767 Jamacha Blvd. in Spring Valley was detained last night at 9:43 p.m. by deputies from the Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s station.

He was rescued from a burning home and detained by a deputy for allegedly set the fire. The suspect was transported to a local hospital for treatment of minor injuries related to the fire, said Sergeant Kotaro Murashige.

Members of the Sheriff’s bomb/arson unit are investigating the cause and origin of the blaze.

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Farmer's Market at its former location on Allison Avenue may soon come back to its roots in the La Mesa downtown village

March 22, 2018 (La Mesa) – On Tuesday, La Mesa’s City Council will consider a proposal by the La Mesa Village Association to move and expand the farmer’s market back to the downtown village, with street closures for the event each Friday.  Staff has recommended approval in its report.  

Council will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 27 at its 6 p.m. meeting in City Council Chambers, 8130 Allison Ave.

The issue has fostered a lively discussion on social media, with some residents and local merchants welcoming the proposed change to invigorate downtown and boost traffic for local businesses. But others vigorously oppose the change, citing concerns over not enough parking, having to carry groceries too far, and dissuading patrons from coming into downtown on Friday night, when restaurants are typically busiest.

By Miriam Raftery

March 22, 2018 (La Mesa) -- Guests got into the festive spirit at our East County Dining Club's recent Mardi Gras party, held at the San Pasqual Winery Tasting Rooom in the heart of La Mesa's downtown village.

If you missed the fun, there's still time to RSVP for our next dining club event at Giardino's Italian Cucino in Lemon Grove on Thursday, March 29. Find the delicious details here - and RSVP by March 25 to reserve space! 

By Jonathan Goetz

March 22, 2018 (Lemon Grove) – Crime rates, emergency response times, and controversies involving Council members embroiled in multilpe claims against the City were among the issues raised during Tuesday’s Lemon Grove City Council meeting.

By Angela Deegan, SanDiego350

Photo:  SanDiego350 volunteers with Sophie Wolfram of CAC in celebratory mood March 13^th after adoption of La Mesa CAP.  Photo courtesy of Cody Klatt

March 21, 2018 (La Mesa) -- On March 13th, the City Council of La Mesa unanimously adopted a strong Climate Action Plan (CAP), with a goal of 100% clean energy. This victory came after three years of persistent advocacy and organizing efforts by SanDiego350 La Mesa volunteers and allied organizations.

By Miriam Raftery

March 21, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Education Association will hold its sixth annual Spring Gala on Saturday, April 21 at 6:30 p.m. at Viejas Casino & Resort in the Oak Ballroom. The event includes a buffet-style dinner, silent and live auctions, music and dancing – all to improve education for children in Alpine schools.

For tickets, visit https://aef4kids.org/events/aef-gala-2018//.

By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

March 20, 2018 (San Diego) - The National Weather Service is predicting rain around San Diego County this week, potentially heavy rain on Thursday.

People in unincorporated areas can get free sandbags at numerous locations to help them protect their homes, properties and communities.

March 19, 2018 (El Cajon) - Grossmont College continues its performances of The Heir Apparent, a French farce by Jean-Francois Regnard that was relevantly unknown in American theatre until David Ives’ adaptation more than 300 years later. The production has been updated it for a modern ear, yet keeping the rules of a French domestic farce::decorum, repartee, rhyming couplets, satire without being condemning, sexually charged characters, mistaken identity, a sometimes macabre tone and doors slamming in faces--everything needed to make things fun.

By Miriam Raftery

March 18, 2018 (Boulevard) – On Friday, Judge David Gill approved placement of Michael Joseph Martinez at 2135 McCain Valley Road in Boulevard, a small town in San Diego's East County, starting in late April. Martinez has been in  state mental hospital since 2009 but was approved last year for release. He was committed as a sexually violent predator and has been diagnosed with a pedophilia and personality disorder.

By Miriam Raftery

March 17, 2018 (La Mesa) – The La Mesa Planning Commission will consider applications for two medical marijuana dispensaries during public hearings March 21^st at 7 p.m. in the La Mesa City Council chambers (8130 Allison Ave., La Mesa).  

By Miriam Raftery

Photo: Screenshot from surveillance video, courtesy of ECM news partner 10 News

March 16, 2018 (El Cajon) – The owner of Forever Fine Jewelry has suffered a devastating loss after thieves stole $200,000 worth of gold and silver jewelry. A group of nine people, including five men and women with babies, distracted the owner while a woman dressed in black, shown on surveillance  video, crawled on the floor to snatch jewelry from display cases and a safe in a back room, 10 News reports.

The owner, an Iraqi immigrant who came here a decade ago,borrowed money from family to start the business and had no insurance for the losses, NBC 7 reports.

East County News Service

Photo by Ron Logan:  Write Out Loud Executive Director Walter Ritter, San Diego Regional Champion Kylie Greaves and Write Out Loud Artistic Director Veronica Murphy

March 15, 2018 (San Diego) -- Kylie Greaves, a Senior at Grossmont Middle College High School in El Cajon took first place in the 2018 countywide Poetry Out Loud competition on February 6th at The San Diego Central Library downtown. Greaves will represent San Diego at the upcoming state finals March 18 and 19 in Sacramento.