Communities

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Anza Borrego Desert Natural History Association invites you to the 2025 Borrego Home and Garden Tour on Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Explore four special homes in the heart of the desert, at your own pace. Each home showcases unique architecture, landscaping and design elements. 

Tickets are available online at www.abdnha.org/gardentour or visit the ABDNHA Desert Nature Center (652 Palm Canyon Drive, (760) 767-3098).

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Borrego Springs) – The Ram, a grassroots, nonprofit community radio station serving Borrego Springs is now online and can be heard here.

Thew station features music from all genres, largely contributed by community members, as well as potential coverage of live local events such as community gatherings, concerts and school events, local businesses, and emergency communications.  The station also aspires to offer bilingual programming.

Volunteers are welcome, including volunteer DJs, as well as donors and underwriters of equipment. 

For more information, contact Mike Rue at (760)765-5518 or email TheRamRadio@gmail.com.

You can also visit their website.

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Julian) -- Friends of the Julian Library will present a concert by Sean Gaskell on the kora, a  21-stringed West African harp.  This performance, titled “Music on the Mountain,” will take place on March 7 at 3 p.m. in the Julian branch of the county library, 1850 Highway 78 in Julian.

Gaskell studied under the extensive instruction of Moriba Kuyateh and the late Malamini Jobarteh in Gambia, and both Youssoupha Cissokho and Mamadou Cissokho in Senegal. The kora is traditionally played by oral historians known as Griots. Many songs featured on the kora preserve an 800-year history dating back to the founding of the Mande empire. 

Gaskell has presented adult, youth and family programs at over 400 libraries and a multitude of k-12 schools, colleges, universities and assisted living facilities throughout the United States and Canada.
 

East County News Service

March 2, 2025 (Julian) - Julian Farm and Orchard invites you to Daffodil Days, held each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from March 7 through April 13 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In addition to u-pick daffodils, visitors can also enjoy other activities for a fee including a petting zoo, rock climbing, swings, picnic areas, a tractor-pulled hayride and more.

For details, visit https://www.JulianFarmAndOrchard.com/daffodil-days-spring.

East County News Service

February 28, 2025 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino will open the doors to its high-rise boutique hotel tower this spring, featuring 200 rooms, 52 spacious guest suites, 360-degree views and a curated collection of leisure experiences.

"This all-new hotel represents a proud moment in our tribe's journey and further supports our continued dedication to self-sufficiency," said Erica M. Pinto, Chairwoman of the Jamul Indian Village. "We’re not just transitioning from Jamul Casino to Jamul Casino Resort – we're building a legacy that honors our community while inviting visitors to experience the beauty and hospitality of our ancestral lands."

The 16-story hotel tower was originally imagined as a crystalline jewel box floating against the Jamul mountains, ultimately allowing visitors to now stay where they play. Guests will have access to the state-of-the-art hotel and its offerings through a climate-controlled, enclosed pedestrian sky bridge. The rooms’ sleek and elegant design creates a calming place of tranquility with one-of-a-kind views.

The all-new boutique hotel tower at Jamul Casino Resort aims to earn the AAA Four Diamond Rating – North America’s premier hotel rating program recognizing the most important aspects of luxury such as cleanliness, comfort, cuisine and consistency.

Among the many amenities will be an approximately 4,800-square-foot restaurant with sweeping views of the surrounding area, retail space, meeting and banquet facilities, a full-service spa and salon with an outdoor deck, a fitness center, and an 11,000-square-foot rooftop pool deck with a jetted hot tub, cabanas and a rooftop bar.

"We are thrilled to unveil this beautiful new hotel that our guests have been eagerly anticipating," said Mary Cheeks, President and General Manager of Jamul Casino. "With exceptional dining destinations, wellness-focused amenities, and curated experiences, we have created a space that truly caters to gaming enthusiasts, business professionals, and leisure travelers alike. We invite all guests to visit, unwind, play, and discover the very best of San Diego.”

Opened in 2016, the Jamul Casino is owned and operated by Jamul Indian Village Development Corporation (JIVDC), a wholly owned enterprise of the Tribe. The $430 million, award-winning casino features nearly 1,700 slot machines, 46 live table games, a dedicated poker room, and various restaurants, bars and lounges.

Jamul Casino supports more than 1,400 permanent jobs throughout the region and is the closest casino to downtown San Diego, which is the eighth-largest city in the United States by population.

To learn more about Jamul Casino, visit www.jamulcasino.com.

Many people and their dogs came together at Town Center Community Park East for the ninth annual Fido Fest in Santee. 

By G.A. McNeeley 

Photos by Scott Lagace and G.A. McNeeley

February 26, 2025 (Santee) - The city of Santee invited lots of people (and their dogs) for fun times at this year’s Fido Fest. People were also able to adopt their own furry friend from one of the many rescue groups present at the event hosted by the city of Santee on February 22 at Town Center Community Park East in Santee. 

Contests were held for the smallest dog, the biggest dog, the best costume, and the best trick. There were also demonstrations for the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department K-9 Unit and the Santee Fire Department Search & Rescue Dog, as well as arts and crafts. 

Agility courses were also present for dogs of all sizes to show off their skills and abilities. There were also off-leash areas, and over 50 vendors that were offering pet-friendly products, services, treats, and more. 

Donation drives were also accepting unopened dog food, bedding, blankets, toys, and other items that got donated to the rescues who participated in the event. 

The San Diego Humane Society was offering free microchipping, and they were also offering paid pet licensing services on-site (at varying costs). Pet health experts and veterinarians were also available to provide attendees with helpful tips and information. 

ECM spoke with a representative at the Amazing Strays Rescue Booth, who said that the organization is non-profit, foster-based, and volunteer-run. The group also had binders for the dogs (and cats) that were available for adoption. The binders included success stories and “medical cases,” which are dogs and cats who need extra care. Their organization is also known for rescuing homeless and at-risk pets, providing safe environments for them as well as trying to combat the spread of diseases in pets. 

Event organizers from the city of Santee told ECM said that this was their ninth year organizing the event. The event used to be in the summer, but it was too hot, so the event was moved to February. Organizers gave us an event schedule, an activity guide for other events in Santee, and a park map (all of which can be found online). They also told us that they help organize all of the big events in Santee. 

“I think this a great event, because I can bring my dogs, Ella and Russel, with me to the park. There’s a lot for them to see and sniff,” said, an attendee. “They got to feast on all of the different treats that vendors had available.” 

We also reached out to the San Diego Humane Society, via email, after speaking to a representative at their booth who gave us their contact information. We asked what sorts of programs they have that our readers should know about. 

“San Diego Humane Society offers multiple programs to prevent unnecessary pet surrender and to keep pets with their families through challenging times,” said Nina Thompson, Director of Public Relations, San Diego Humane Society. “Services focus on all things related to pet care, including assistance with behavior and training, pet food and supplies and veterinary care. We also offer additional resources for military members and community members experiencing domestic violence and housing insecurity.” 

Thompson also told that we can visit the following link to learn more about these services: 

sdhumane.org/supportservices

Rescue Groups that attended this year’s Fido Fest included 4 Patas, A Way Home for Dogs, Amazing Strays Rescue, Friends of Cats, Friends of Humane Services Tijuana, Frosted Faces Foundation, Heart of Gold’s Shelter, K9 Connection Pet Adoption, Leonberger Rescue Pals, Lionel’s Legacy Senior Dog Rescue, Mutt Luv, Open Arms Rescue, Passion for Pitties, Paws 4 Thoughts Animal Rescue, Rescue Fenix, Ruger’s Rescues, The DeTommaso Dogs, and Woofs and Wags. 

For more information on the adoption groups, other events in Santee and additional information: 

https://www.cityofsanteeca.gov/calendar/events/fido-fest/45710

By Miriam Raftery

February 27, 2025 (Rancho San Diego) – Tomatomania returns to the Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College on Friday and Saturday, March 7-8.  The free, two-day event celebrates 75-80 incredible varieties of your favorite summer treat—tomatoes. You can purchase tomato plants including some rare varieties, cherished heirlooms and legendary classics—plus get tips from experts on how to grow the most flavorful tomatoes.  Hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 7 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 8.

Admission to Tomatomania is free, though there is a $25 charge to reserve space in the “Totally Tomato Cooking Demonstration” on March 7 from 12-1 p.m. Garden chef and instructor Nicolai Winkler will showcase tomato soup paired with a fresh tomato Panzanella salad.  Class includes a personal portion of soup and salad, take-home recipe and up-close demonstration. REGISTER HERE

You can also sign up for a free workshop titled “That’s Swale” on March 8 from 10-11 a.m. with Eric Saline of Wild Made Design.  Soil is the most efficient water storage you can have on your property, and building good healthy soil benefits every level of a garden ecosystem. Before you install plants, rain tanks, and grey water systems, be sure your landscape is designed to handle and harvest as much water as possible – passively.  REGISTER HERE

Registration is required for both special classes.

Cuyamaca College is located at 12122 Cuyamaca College Drive, El Cajon, CA 92019. For more information, visit Events at The Garden - The Water Conservation Garden

By Miriam Raftery

February 26, 2025 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police responded to a call yesterday from a man who found his mother’s body in the trunk of her car, a black Hyundai Sonata. The caller said he had gone to check on his mother after she didn’t return home from visiting her other son, Richard Leyva, 24, who was staying at the motel.

Following an altercation between the two brothers, Leyva got into the Hyundai and drove off, striking his brother, who was not injured.  Officers responded and attempted a stop, by Leyva fled, initiating a pursuit that ended when Leyva crashed into two other vehicle.  He was taken into custody after officers deployed a Taser to subdue him, according to Lieutenant Nick Sprecco.

“Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a deceased woman in the trunk. The woman has been identified as 51-year-old Jamison Webster and her death is being investigated as a homicide,” Lt. Sprecco says.

Leyva has been booked into San Diego County Jail on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon and evading law enforcement. 

Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the woman's death.

The other drivers involved were uninjured.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call El Cajon Police at 619-579-3311 or anonymously at sdcrimestoppers.org.