November 29, 2010 (El Cajon)--Nominations are now open for the selection of El Cajon's 2010 Citizen of the Year. The City invites all of El Cajon's civic, service and fraternal organizations to nominate a candidate. Nominees will be honored at the Citizen of the Year luncheon to be held on February 14, 2011 at the Community Center.

November 24, 2010 (San Pasqual Valley)--Kiburi, a 10-day-old cheetah cub, opened his eyes today (Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Animal Care Center. He took in the world, gobbled down a bottle, played for a little while, and then went back fast asleep in the window of the nursery. 

Coalition Web Site Provides Technology Gift Ideas

November 23, 2010 (San Diego)--If you have an older relative on your holiday shopping list, perhaps this is the year to look past traditional gifts such as robes, socks, perfume or candy and consider a more tech-savvy gift such as an e-book reader, a gaming system or even computer classes.

People Encouraged to Protect their Properties and Keep Rains From Washing Away Soil

November 18, 2010 (San Diego)--With storms expected this weekend and the rainy season looming, the County Department of Public Works reminds people in unincorporated areas that they can get free sandbags to protect their homes, neighborhoods and streets from becoming damaged by mud, flooding and soil runoff.

Changes Enhance Historic Charm

November 17, 2010 (Spring Valley)--The public is invited to come glimpse what life was like for San Diego pioneers in the 1800s. Yesterday, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and the County of San Diego Department of Parks and Recreation officially opened the newly restored Bancroft Rock House in Spring Valley.

November 11, 2010 (San Diego)--San Diego County Library is honoring veterans throughout the month of November. Veterans are  encouraged to utilize dozens of online resources featured on www.sdcl.org/veterans-resources.  The Library also invites vets to submit photos and tell their story to the People’s Post online or at designated libraries, including two in East County.

East County Residential Customers Invited to Drop-Off Documents for Free Shredding

November 10, 2010 (El Cajon) – On November 15, Waste Management of San Diego will help to eliminate East County’s paper trail with a complimentary document shredding service in celebration of America Recycles Day.

November 5, 2010 (La Mesa) -- La  Mesa Police Department, in a continuing effort to work in partnership with the community, is hosting a Neighborhood Forum on Wednesday, November 17 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at Northmont Elementary School, 9405 Gregory Street. This forum is the second in a series of community forums to encourage public discussion and questions about issues specific to individual neighborhoods in La Mesa.

November 5, 2010 (Santee) – The Sheriff’s Santee Station and Santee Fire Department invite you to the 12th annual Santee Pancake Breakfast this Saturday at Fire Station #4, 8950 Cottonwood (corner of Mission Gorge and Cottonwood) this Friday and Saturday, November 5th and 6th.

Money raised from the breakfast will be split. The Sheriff’s Santee Station will use its half to help families in need through the nonprofit “Spirit of Giving” organization. The Fire Department will buy automated external defibrillators for Santee schools, community centers and churches.

November 4, 2010 (San Diego's East County) -- Don’t forget to change your clocks this weekend as we "fall back" to Standard Time. On Sunday at 2:00 a.m., clocks turn back one hour (or turn them back before you go to sleep Saturday night) .

This is also a good time to change batteries in your smoke alarms and make sure you’ve discussed a home escape plan with your family. For more info, see www.elcajonfire.com.

October 30, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The East San Diego County League of Women Voters and the American Association of University Women are co-sponsoring a meeting with Augie Ghio, Fire Chief of San Miguel Fire Protection District.

The meeting will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 13, 2010, at the Helix Water District Boardroom, 7811 University Avenue, La Mesa.

East County News Service

October 23, 2010 (Sacred Rocks) -- The inaugural horse camp experience launched October 15-17 at Sacred Rocks Horse Camp, with several participants and many horses visiting for a complementary weekend. “Riding, sitting around the campfire telling tales, and the Saturday night barbeque brought to mind the lifestyle of the old west when time seemed meaningless while folks were enjoying their days,” said Sharon Courmousis, owner of Scared Rocks Reserve and the new Sacred Rocks Horse Camp.

East County News Service

October 22, 2010 (San Diego) -- A proposal to implement a high-tech Graffiti Tracker Program was recently approved by The Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee. The Grafitti Tracker Program is a comprehensive, web-based system designed to identify, track, prosecute, and seek restitution from graffiti vandals.

East County News Service
October 15, 2010 (Santee) – On September 25th, the 48-unit Cedar Creek Apartments project welcomed its first residents. With a loan of $5.27 million from the Santee Community Development Commission, Chelsea Investment Corporation of Carlsbad completed construction of the apartment complex on Fanita, designed for low-income individuals and families.

October 12, 2010 (Bonita) – Assemblyman Marty Block (D-Lemon Grove) is co-sponsoring a ree workshop for homeowners on Saturday, October 16th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Bonita Library, along with the Legal Aid Society of San Diego’s Pro-Bono Program and the Housing Opportunities Collaboration.

Rummage, art, jewelry, fossils, gems and mineral offered for sale by museum patrons

October 8, 2010 (El Cajon) – Over 300 members of Heritage of the Americas Museum have donated household goods to benefit the Museum. This giant sales will occur throughout the Museum with free admission and parking on Friday and Saturday, October 22-23 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

October 6, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) -- Join Ranger Lisa, and BLM’s Biologist Joyce, a bat expert, in watching a short bat movie, and take a bat hike with bat-sensing equipment on October 22 from 6-7 p.m.. Families are encouraged to attend, and also get to know their local National Wildlife Refuge in Rancho San Diego--the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

October 6, 2010 (Alpine) -- Do you love trees? Are you interested in promoting tree planting in Alpine? Would you like to be a part of Alpine's Tree Town USA celebration on April 16th 2011? Would you like to help establish tree programs for our local schools? If you answered yes to any of these questions, mark your calendar and join other Alpine residents on Friday October 8th at 5:30pm at 2451 Night Star Court in Alpine.

October 3, 2010 (Boulevard) – Sacred Rocks campground and RV park in Boulevard is kicking off a new activity for its two- and four-legged friends: horse camping October 15-17. If you bring a horse, you camp for free! Or if you prefer, enjoy trail riding through beautiful backcountry scenery – all free for a day.

Shelters inundated with lost pets; now you can search online for lost animals

October 1, 2010 (Bonita) -- Thunder and lightning from yesterday’s storms resulted in a flood of stray dogs and cats coming into the County’s three animals shelters. On Thursday, the shelters took in a total of 133 dogs and cats. In comparison, the previous Thursday saw 79 stray dogs and cats brought in. The biggest increase in dogs was at the County’s animal shelter in Bonita, where 50 dogs came in on Thursday.

September 20, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it will be providing additional customer safety communications for its natural gas customers who are located near natural gas transmission facilities.

President of S.D. Archaeological  Society to Speak

September 19, 2010 (Alpine)--The Alpine Historical Society will have an Italian Dinner on Sunday October 17th at 5pm. This dinner is open to the community and provides an opportunity to learn more about historic Alpine.

September 18, 2010 (Alpine) -- The Alpine Women’s Club hosts its sixth annual Christmas Home Tour on Sunday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The  Club seeks three distinguished homes with owners who love to decorate for the holidays and who would enjoy sharing their decorating talents with the residents of Alpine.

September 17, 2010 (Lakeside)—Lakeside Fire Department invites the public to its annual open house on Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 14008 Highway 8 business. The event includes station tours, a fun jump, fire apparatus displays, and vehicle rescue demonstrations.
 

September 17, 2010 (Alpine)-- Times have changed through the years in this mountain town--and more changes are coming. "The Alpine Historical Society is looking for someone who would like to take pictures of Alpine as we change," a press release states. "If the Sunrise Power Link comes through our town, there will be many changes along the Boulevard."

If you enjoy taking pictures, consider being an official photographer for the Society, which also seeks long-time residents for an oral history program.

September 13, 2010 (San Diego) – The Drug Enforcement Administration in San Diego, along with law enforcement, government, community, and public health services are participating in a national prescription drug “Take-Back” program to prevent pill abuse and theft. Potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs will be collected for destruction on Saturday, September 25 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at locations countywide. 

The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked.

Sheriff and East County Family Justice Center host event, invite all who want to help victims escape violence

September 12, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Domestic violence, child abuse, teenage dating violence, and elder abuse have continued to climb alarmingly high, San Diego’s Sheriff reports. The Sheriff and East County Family Justice Center invite the public to a free program on October 5 from 6 -8 p.m. at the San Miguel Fire Station, 2850 Via Orange Way in Spring Valley.

Jess Martin Park Premieres New Outdoor Fitness Areas

September 9, 2010 (Julian) -- Julian residents have a new way to work off calories gained from eating the town’s famous apple pie: with new fitness equipment and recreation areas at Jess Martin Park. Earlier this month, County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, the County's Department of Parks and Recreation, and the community of Julian opened an array of healthy new amenities at Jess Martin Park.

The improvements include a nine-station fitness area, community exercise path, a permanent restroom building, shade structure, picnic tables, barbeque grills, rock retaining walls, and footbridges.

By Kristin Kjaero

August 31, 2010 (La Mesa) -- The City of La Mesa is holding a free open house and tours of the new Police Station on Saturday, September 4 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Exhibits will be displayed in the Police Station Community Room.  At the same time, there will be a BBQ fundraiser sponsored by both the Police Officers Association and the Peer Support Team.  

County auctioning off surplus personal property August 21

East County News Service

August 17, 2010 (San Diego) – Need a car or a flat-screen TV? How about a collection of beer steins, vintage china, or Hummel figurines? Perhaps a budding musician in your household would love a saxophone or guitar. Or maybe your home could use appliances and furnishings. These items and more will be auctioned off Saturday, August 21 at the COC annex, 5201 Ruffin Road in San Diego starting at 8 a.m.