Local wine industry trailblazers will also be honored

East County News Service

October 17, 2016 (Rancho San Diego) – Six new Trailblazers will be honored and dozens of local wine and food producers will be highlighted at 2^nd annual Toast to East County.

The event, sponsored by the East County Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 22 at Cottonwood Golf Club on Willow Glen Road in the Rancho San Diego area of El Cajon.

By Janis Russell

October 10, 2016 (San Diego) - Close to a hundred people turned out on Wednesday October 5 at the Jacob Center for a pre-regulatory meeting on medical marijuana regulatory issues.  The public meeting was convened by the Bureau of Medical Cannabis Regulation (BMCR) in the California Department of Consumer Affairs and the Office of Medical Cannabis Safety, Department of Public Health.

Update Oct. 12: The Chamber has rescinded its endorsement of Measures U and V after receiving more information from the cities of La Mesa and  Lemon Grove.

By Miriam Raftery

October 6, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) –Community leaders in La Mesa and Lemon Grove are reacting with shock and outrage over endorsement by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce (ECC) of Measures U and V, which would legalize medical marijuana dispensaries in the two cities.   Voters in both La Mesa and Lemon Grove rejected similar ballot measures in the last general election.

“The City of Lemon Grove is a dues-paying member of the ECC. Our tax dollars pay for those dues,” states an e-mail sent to  Lemon Grove’s mayor and others  from  Helen Ofield,  President of the Lemon Grove  Historical Society, and her husband, Jack.  “We urge the Lemon Grove City Council and City Manager to oppose the ECC’s action in the strongest possible terms and to cancel its membership in the ECC.”

East County News Service

October 2, 2016 (Jamul) – You’re invited to join Maness Vineyards and Highway 94 Wineries to celebrate the Fourth Annual Trail Blazers Awards Ceremony at Cottonwood Golf. Awards will be presented during the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s “Toast to East County” on October 22 from 12 to 4 p.m.

East County News Service

October 1, 2016 (El Cajon) — You’re invited to the first-ever “Made in East County” Manufacturing Expo on Tuesday, October 4 from 3-6 p.m. at the San Diego Air & Space Museum ANNEX, 335 Kenney Road at Gillespie Field, in El Cajon.  The event , which is free to the public, gives manufacturers an opportunity to "show their stuff” to the local community in one location.

East County News Service

September 16, 2016 (Santee) — The San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, along with the East County Development Council, Santee, Lakeside and Alpine Mountain Empire Chambers invite you to Politics in Paradise part 2. 

Candidates for races across East County have been invited—including city council and mayoral contests as well as races ranging from school boards to the Grossmont Healthcare district. Here’s your chance to meet candidates up close and personal, hear their ideas, ask questions and network with movers and shakers from across our region.

Regarding your article "new La Mesa Village Association has big ideas for revitalizing city's historic heart"

By Peter Carzis, Owner, Peter’s Gentlemen’s Apparel

Editor's note: Aaron Dean, chair of the new LMVA, spoke with ECM and provided his responses to concerns raised by Carzis and others.  You can read his remarks here.

October 14,2016 (La Mesa)--I attended the first meeting of this new group. They said they want this group to be a "fresh start" in the village, but yet they boast four Founding Members who are officers and directors of the "old" group that owes the taxpayers and the City of La Mesa $47,900.50.  (Per the city clerk, this amount was turned over to collection and none of the debt has been repaid as of today.)

East County News Service

September 14, 2016 (La Mesa) -- The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to a "Meet The Candidates" forum on Thursday, September 15 at the La Mesa Community Center (4975 Memorial Drive, La Mesa).

All three candidates for the La Mesa City Councill will be present:  incumbents Ruth Sterling and Kristine Alessio, as well as challengerColin Parent.

This is a great opportunity to meet the candidates who wish to serve you. 

Source:  La Mesa Chamber press release

September 10, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber announces the continuation of a holiday project inspired last year by a partnership between the La Mesa Chamber of Commerce, the La Mesa City Employees Association and Jerry Lester, local community supporter. The project benefits children within La Mesa that are identified by La Mesa Community Welfare and several La Mesa elementary schools to be in need. The driving force behind this project is Maxine Lynch and the La Mesa City Employees Association.

By Miriam Raftery

September 5, 2016 (La Mesa) – A new business association led by prominent business leaders in La Mesa has arisen to fill the gap left by the troubled La Mesa Village Merchants Association. The new 501(c)6 nonprofit, the La Mesa Village Association (LMVA), held its inaugural community outreach meeting last week at the San Pasqual Wine  Bar Tasting Room in the village,  drawing a packed house.

By Helen Ofield, Lemon Grove Historical Society

September 2, 2016 (Lemon Grove) -- Flower children—isn't that all of us?

In celebration of its many fans, Steiger Floral Arts, 8057 Broadway, Lemon Grove, will hold its third annual Good Neighbor Day on Sept. 10. That's when posy meister Chuck Ellerbee presents free bouquets to anyone, 18 and over, who walks in the door.

By Miriam Raftery

August 20, 2016 (Alpine) — East County Magazine will be among the “community heroes” honored at the Alpine Mountain Empire Chamber of Commerce’s “Heroes Excellent Leadership Public Service” or “HELPS” awards.

The awards will be presented at a dinner to be held Saturday, August 27^th at the Viejas Casino & Resort, Grand Oak Ballroom.

By Miriam Raftery

August 9, 2016 (San Diego) – Grocery workers voted Monday to accept the latest contract proposal affecting employees at Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Pavilions and Safeway supermarkets across southern California.

East County News Service

July 27, 2016 (La Mesa) - The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce invites you to join them at their upcoming Summer Bash business expo on Thursday, August 11 from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the La Mesa Community Center.

Contribution provides critical support for community fire preparedness and prevention programs

By Stephanie Donovan

Photo: getting prepared; on July 14, SDG&E hosted a breakfast at the utility’s Kearny Mesa headquarters to distribute dozens of grants to support community partners focused on fire and emergency preparedness. John Sowers, SDG&E’s vice president of electric distribution operations, applauded the efforts of these grassroots groups to help improve regional safety.

July 21, 2016 (San Diego’s East County) - More than a dozen East County community-based organizations dedicated to fire and emergency-preparedness programs recently received a financial boost, thanks to a $900,000 grant from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E). SDG&E distributed the grants July 14 to more than 80 representatives of San Diego County Fire Safe Councils, Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) and other regional safety partners.