December 2024 Articles

By Alyssa Hiestand

May 26, 2024 (El Cajon) -- Just fifteen minutes from Downtown San Diego lies El Cajon, bustling with small businesses, delicious eateries, and more to make any day or night well-spent. Offering an insider perspective, here’s what we’d recommend doing for the ultimate day on Main Street in El Cajon:

• Begin your day at Surje Coffee at the Gallery – a delightful fusion of your favorite cup of joe and the elegance of art! This unique stop along Main Street, open Thursday through Sunday, offers a one-of-a-kind way to start your day in El Cajon.  

• Spend your morning and early afternoon at The Weighorst Museum and The Water Conservation Garden, two prime examples of how El Cajon celebrates nature, art, and history. The Weighorst Museum pays homage to Olaf Wieghorst, renowned for his depictions of the nineteenth-century American West, including the cowboys, Native Americans, and settlers who shaped the Western landscape. The Water Conservation Garden showcases drought-tolerant plants, a butterfly pavilion, a soil erosion exhibit, and more, offering a unique perspective on environmental conservation. 

• Moving to lunchtime, we recommend Por Favor. It has served traditional Mexican fare to El Cajon since 1974, making it a popular destination for enchiladas, tacos, tostadas, burritos, Punta de Filete, Arroz con pollo, Carnitas and Fajitas. Happy hour runs daily from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and all day on Mondays! 

• Another option is Mal Al Sham Mediterranean Food, offering a modern interpretation of classic dishes. Also found along Main Street, a stop at this local eatery is a must, allowing guests to indulge in options like Mal Al Sham Falafel, Chicken Tikka, Hummus, and a variety of Kabobs!  

• Head to Burning Beard Brewery before the evening hits, a brewing operation local to El Cajon. It focuses on instilling quality, craftsmanship, and service into every bite and sip. Proudly serving their Burning Beard Hazy IPA is local venue The Magnolia – a nighttime staple for any great day in El Cajon! 

• End your day with a concert at The Magnolia. It’s the entertainment epicenter for connecting not only El Cajon but all of San Diego with diverse performers, including A-list concert artists, comedians, community events, live podcasts, and more! Following a multimillion-dollar renovation in 2019, The Magnolia includes free parking, pre-show happenings in an expansive outdoor plaza, a completely refurbished lobby bar serving craft beer and cocktails, a brand-new VIP Lounge, updated guest amenities, and stunning audio and visual capabilities. Upcoming performers include Iron & Wine, Joe Jackson, Whitney Cummings!

We deeply appreciate the support of local businesses and nonprofit organizations that have donated to suppport East County Magazine's news reporting in the public interest and/or our East County Wildfire & Emergency Alerts!

Please support  these local businesses and organizations -- and let them know you that value their support of community journalism!

Our 1^st quarter 2024 business and organizational donors and sponsors are:

Platinum Level Sponsors ($5,000 or more)

Grossmont  Healthcare District

Gold Level Sponsors ($1,000 to $4,999)

Moon Valley Nurseries

San Diego Chimney Sweeps

San Diego Regional Fire Foundation

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• Camp Bow-Wow
• CSA San Diego County
• Karen Floyd Portraits
• Lemon Grove Bistro
• Lemon Grove Lions Club
• Local Umbrella Media
• Maxwell’s House of Books
• Roots Real Estate

Bronze Level Sponsors ($25 to $99)

• Barn House Barbecue in Lemon Grove
• Jessyka Heredia hairdresser,  El Cajon
• Purple Owl Cafe in Julian

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East County News Service

January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) -- Forty-seven years after Wait Until Dark premiered on Broadway, Jeffrey Hatcher has adapted Frederick Knott's 1966 original, giving it a new setting. In 1944 Greenwich Village, Susan Hendrix, a blind yet capable woman, is imperiled by a trio of men in her own apartment. As the climax builds, Susan discovers that her blindness just might be the key to her escape, but she and her tormentors must wait until dark to play out this classic thriller's chilling conclusion.​

Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present this updated twist on the classic thriller starting January 10 through February 2. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m.,  except on Saturday, January 18, there will bea  2 p.m. matinee only.

For tickets, visit  https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com/

By Jonathan Goetz

January 9, 2024 (El Cajon) – January happenings include a film festival in Borrego Springs—ideal if you like the desert without the heat—as well as opportunities to see raptors up close in Ramona,  take a group hike up Cowles Mountain, watch a thriller at Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa, or network with veterans in Santee.

Scroll down for details on these entertaining options.

WAIT UNTIL DARK IN LA MESA JAN. 10-FEB. 2

Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa will present this updated twist on the classic Wait Until Dark thriller starting this weekend through February 2. The plot focuses on a blind woman trapped in an apartment with three men, then realizing that her blindness holds the key to escaping if she waits until after dark.  Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m., except on Saturday, January 18, there will be a 2 p.m. matinee only.

For tickets, visit https://www.lamplighterslamesa.com

HAWK WATCH EACH SATURDAY IN JANUARY AND FEBRUARY

The Wildlife Research Institute in Ramona invites you to Hawk Watch each Saturday in January and February at 10 a.m. at Begent Ranch, 18528 Highland Valley Rd, in Ramona. 

Arrive at 9:30 for coffee and donuts, then enjoy the free program that includes Q&A with a raptor and her or his handler. The event begins with an educational biologist’s talk plus a Q&A session with falconry or ambassador raptors and a demonstration of a raptor in flight.  Later you can opt to drive a 2-mile route on paved roads to observe wild raptors, including a Bald Eagle nest. Biologists and volunteers will help you spot and identify birds and view them through their high-powered professional telescopes.

For more information, visit https://www.wildlife-research.org/hawkwatch

EXPLORE COWLES MOUNTAIN JAN 14

Join the Santee Teen Center staff and participants for a hike up the backside of Cowles Mountain on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The hike will start at the Santee Teen Center at Big Rock Park, located at 8125 Arlette Street, Santee, CA 92071. This 90-minute hike is rated as difficult, so be prepared for a challenging yet rewarding experience. Exploring the local trails offers a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, relax, recharge, and get active.

Please wear walking shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. The event is open to all ages, but children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Participation is free, but advanced registration is required. In case of adverse weather conditions, the hike may be canceled, and registrants will be notified. So, put on your walking shoes, grab a water bottle, and come explore Cowles Mountain.

Register online with the City of Santee.

BORREGO FILM FESTIVAL JAN 15-19

The Borrego Film Festival takes place January 15-19 in Borrego Springs, showcasing independent films. The event also features a filmmaker networking event, catered opening gala, panel discussions, filmmaker activities, Saturday party, red-carpet event, and catered awards ceremony.

For a list of films, see: https://www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org/2025films

For tickets and full details, visit https://www.borregospringsfilmfestival.org/

VETERANS COFFEE CONNECT EVENT JAN 16

Join Veterans of East County Alliance at the Santee VFW Post 9327 (8516 N Magnolia Ave. Santee, CA 92071) on Thursday January 16 between 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. to connect with veteran-owned and veteran-friendly businesses. Register to attend at the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce’s website.

By East County News Service

November 27, 2024 (San Diego)-- County Public Health officials are asking people to

throw away organic carrots tied to a nationwide E. coli outbreak. One person in San

Diego who consumed the carrots became ill from the same strain of Shiga Toxin producing E. Coli (STEC) that is part of a multi-state outbreak.

Thirty-nine people infected with the outbreak strain of E. coli have been reported from 18 states, 15 people have been hospitalized, and one person has died. The implicated carrots are organic, whole bagged carrots and baby carrots sold under multiple brands by Grimmway Farm at many major retailers. Brand labels include Trader Joe’s, Sprouts, O Organics, Cal-organic, Bunny Luv, Good & Gather, Full Circkle, Compliments, GreenWise, Marketside, Nature’s Promise, Wegmans, Wholesome Pantry, Raley’s, Simple Truth, President’s Choice, and Grimmway Farms, and in a variety of sizes.

E. coli can cause severe stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting, often within three to four days. The STEC found in the carrots can cause hospitalization and even death. Grimmway Farms has issued a nationwide recall. The carrots are likely no longer in stores for sale but may be in your home. 

“If you or a loved one are feeling sick, contact your doctor as soon as possible,” said

Ankita Kadakia, M.D., interim County public health officer. “The Shiga toxin producing E. Coli bacteria can cause serious kidney problems that require hospitalization, so it is important to get care promptly.” 

If you think you purchased affected carrots, do not eat them. Throw them away and

wash any containers or surfaces that touched the carrots with hot soapy water or in the dishwasher.  Make sure to also wash your hands with soap and water after handling the carrots or container.

Source: SDSU

NCAA Photos/MW

November 30, 2024 (San Diego) --The fifth-seeded San Diego State volleyball team saw its run at the 2024 Credit Union 1 Mountain West Championship come to a disappointing conclusion Friday after dropping a hard-fought 3-1 decision to top-seeded Colorado State in  a semifinal showdown at Cox Pavilion.

With the loss, the Aztecs drop to 20-10 on the year and will await their postseason fate when NCAA Tournament bids are announced on Sunday, Dec. 1. Conversely, the Rams move to 19-10 overall and will play second-seeded San José State in the championship final on Saturday at 2 p.m.

Friday’s defeat marked the just the sixth time this season the Scarlet and Black lost when leading in kills (20-6). Despite maintaining a slim 55-53 advantage in that category and a slight edge in team blocks (8.0 to 7.0), the Aztecs were plagued by 10 aces and nine service errors en route to the loss.

After posting a .389 efficiency to capture the first set, San Diego State hit just .186 over the final three frames, as CSU employed timely runs to escape on each occasion.

Individually, the Aztecs were led by Jasmine Davis’ team-high 16 kills and 13 digs, which accounted for her ninth double-double of the season. The SDSU graduate transfer hit .424 for the day, committing just two errors on 33 attempts while adding two aces and three blocks, including one solo stop.

In addition, Taylor Underwood finished with 10 put-aways, while Natalie Hughes floored eight shots to go with a trio of block assists. Elsewhere, Shea Rubright posted a .545 efficiency, knocking down six kills without an error in 11 attempts, while Kat Cooper (5 kills) tied for match-high honors with five block assists.

The Aztec cause was also supplemented by the setting duo of Sarena Gonzalez (24 assists, 9 digs) and Andrea Campos (22 assists, 5 digs), while Talea Mitchell knocked down five kills off the bench.

SDSU led throughout the first set, grabbing a 9-2 lead it would not relinquish. Rubright smashed two kills and served up an ace in that opening run, while Hughes and Cooper joined forces on a block after Davis provided a solo rejection.

CSU trimmed the deficit to three on two occasions, including a 15-12 spread following a Malaya Jones kill. However, Underwood sparked a key 5-2 surge with a pair of put-aways to give the Aztecs a commanding 20-14 advantage. Moments later, Hughes combined with Rubright on a block and subsequently launched a late kill to help close out the frame.

A highly competitive second stanza witnessed 13 ties and five lead changes, as the Scarlet and Black rallied from a 20-17 deficit to inch in front 23-22 thanks to a Gonzalez service ace and an attack error sandwich around a kill by the Rams’ Kennedy Stanford. However, the Aztecs self-destructed down the stretch with consecutive errant swings on two open looks, while Jones followed with a service ace to abruptly clinch the set for CSU.

The teams traded punches in the third frame, where neither side led by more than three points. Clinging precariously to an 18-17 advantage following back-to-back kills by Cooper and Mitchell, SDSU was unable to cushion its lead, as the Rams scored four straight points to vault in front for good. Once again, the Aztecs committed a pair of untimely attack errors, interspersed with a Jones kill and service ace.

Suddenly trailing 21-18, SDSU attempted a late rally, as Underwood supplied a pair of kills, while Rubright followed with a put-away of her own. However, two additional errant attacks spelled doom for the Scarlet and Black.

Looking to extend the match, the Aztecs built a series of four-point leads in the fourth set, including a 16-12 spread following a CSU attack error. However, a quick 8-4 run put the Rams on top 20-19 shortly thereafter. Karina Leber stole the spotlight in that span with a kill and a pair of assisted blocks, joining forces with Stanford and Maria Brun on those rejections.

The two sides exchanged points on the next four serves before a Brun kill and an ill-timed SDSU attack error nudged CSU in front to stay at 23-21. Two late put-aways by Davis and Cara Braun proved futile for the Scarlet and Black, as Jones and Naeemah Weathers provided the two clinching kills for the Rams.

Colorado State was paced by Jones’ match-high 17 kills, while Leber launched 11 non-returnables to go with five block assists. Additionally, setter Emery Herman completed a double-double with 44 assists and 15 digs to lead all players.

By Mike Allen

Photo:  Winners of 10K race: 1) Celina Lepe-Corvera 2) Mina Shull 3) Johanna Flipsen.  All photos by Mike Allen

January 13, 2025 (Santee) -- Under sun drenched skies, some of the best race walkers in the world shattered several records as they traversed the Santee Trolley Square course on Jan. 12.

The USA Track & Field National event featured competition in 35 kilometers, 20K, 10K, 5K, and 3K for both men and women.

The overall 35K winner, Perseus Karlstrom of Torshalla, Sweden crossed the finish line in 2:27:19, nearly 17 minutes faster than the previous course record. Karlstrom, 34, is the winner of multiple medals in both the World Track & Field Championships and other major races. A three-time Olympic athlete, he is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games. He took $8,000 for his first-place finish.

He was followed by Mexico’s Ever Jair Palma Oliveres, 32, and Nick Christie, 33 from El Cajon, who finished at 2:45:31. Christie holds the U.S. record for the event and took $4,000 for his third-place finish.

Photo, right:  women’s Winner of 35K race: Valeria Ortuna Martinez of Mexico City, MEXICO. Her time of 2:51:33 was nearly 6 minutes faster than previous record.  

The women’s 35K winner was Valeria Ortuna Martinez, 26, of Mexico City, who finished in 2:51:33, breaking the course record by nearly six minutes.  She was followed by Nadia Gonzalez, 27, of Toluca, Mexico, and Olivia Lundman, 22, of Vancouver, Canada.

The USA Championship women’s winner was Katie Burnett,36, of Bellevue, WA.

Santee City Manager Marlene Best said the city was honored to host both the US Championships and International Race Walk Invitationals 15 of the past 17 years. “We love being the race walk capital of the United States!”

Photo, left:  the winner of the men's 35K championship Perseus Karlstrom of Sweden shattered the previous record for this event by nearly 17 mins at 2:27:19. Seen here after collapsing at the finish line. Karlstom is a professional athlete who has competed at three Olympic Games, three World Championships, and is gearing up for the 2026 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Photo, right:  El Cajon’s Nick Christie, the best American race walker, finished third in the 35K race. First was Perseus Karlstom of Sweden and second was Ever Jair Palma Olivares of Mexico.

Nursing home coverage could be on chopping block

By Chrystal Blair, California News Service

January 5, 2025 (Sacramento) -- As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, federal health programs affecting 85 million low-income Americans, including more than 12 million in California, may face cuts to reduce inflation and debt.

As of 2024, California has the largest state Medicaid program in the U.S. Programs such as Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP could be affected by fiscal tightening in the upcoming year.
Mayra Alvarez, president of the Children's Partnership, told an Ethnic Media panel Medicaid cuts would deeply affect families.
"It's these public programs that are core to helping families meet the day-to-day needs of raising healthy kids," Alvarez contended. "These have been bipartisan programs that have helped our families thrive."
Political experts said Congress is expected to act swiftly on its agenda next year, with key actions likely starting in January, before the presidential inauguration.
Medicaid is funded by the federal government and individual states but each state runs its own program.
Joan Alker, executive director of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families, who also participated on the panel, said cuts to the program will have widespread effects.
"Medicaid accounts for about 56% of all federal money that is flowing to states, is coming in through Medicaid," Alker pointed out. "If we do see big cuts to Medicaid, that will affect all areas of states' budget."
Key proposals include setting federal funding caps, reducing federal match rates, and eliminating mandatory benefits such as nursing home care. Medicaid advocates are also concerned plans to replace benefits with private insurance vouchers could offer less coverage.

By Mike Allen

Photo: Workers at GKN opening ceremony

December 18, 2024 (El Cajon) -- The site that was once planned as an Amazon warehouse is taking shape to house some of the most sophisticated machinery in the world, as well as the skilled workers to run it.

Just across the street from Gillespie Field at the confluence of Cuyamaca Street and Weld Avenue is the new home for GKN Aerospace, a top tier aircraft components supplier and refurbisher of engines for such customers as Pratt & Whitney, Rolls Royce, General Electric and Boeing.

GKN has been operating in El Cajon for more than 70 years, but its two segments, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and Repair Solutions, have been growing at such a nice clip, soit needed added room.

“We’ve outgrown that campus and needed a little more space so we decided to move the repair solutions here,” said Eric Viklund, vice president of strategic growth. The company held an opening day ceremony on December 17.

A “little” translates to about 162,000 more square feet or about a third of the new Weld Distribution Center that began construction some two years ago. Viklund said the plan is to relocate some 300 employees to the new facility, and hire another 50 workers next year. At the current West Bradley Avenue site, there are about 850 total employees, making it among the largest employers in East County.

GKN Aerospace said it spent about $55 million on the project both in construction and new machinery to maintain the competitive edge it has with its customers, which are most of the world’s airlines.

When you’re talking about that size of an investment, it isn’t done lightly and not without considerable research on the best location for the expansion, said Joakim Anderson, president of GKN Engines. But after going through the process, the company determined El Cajon, the site where it was already doing maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) work for the last 40 years made the best sense, he said.

“We’ve done repair work here for 40 years and it’s time to take it to the next level” Andersson said.

He noted the growth of commercial airline traffic is the key driver to the local expansion. Today, some 25,000 jets are flying the skies, but over the next two decades, “we think that’ll be 50,000,” he said. “That’s 100,000 engines.”

To give a value on what the aerospace industry means to the San Diego region and state, State Sen. Brian Jones (photo, second from right) noted in his speech that it employs more than 500,000 people, generates some $100 billion in revenue and about $7 billion in state and local taxes. “When aerospace does well, all sectors of the California economy benefits,” Jones said.

In a tour of the still unfinished warehouse floor, project manager Aaron Parkinson (photo, left) showed visitors the various steps that jet engine blades go through before being returned to the airline customers. The MRO work, which included the use of robotic machinery on the engine blades and other components “is our bread and butter. We do about 50,000 to 60,000 blades a year,” he said.

An average blade may cost about $150,000, although those made for the defense department, say for an F-35 jet, will run more than $1 million, so the industry’s emphasis is on maintaining aircraft equipment quality. A typical blade needs maintenance every six to seven years.

GKN is constantly reevaluating its systems and upgrading its technology in an effort to maximize the performance and longevity of the engine’s parts while minimizing the heretofore disposal of certain parts, Parkinson said.

“Our goal is to stop throwing components away.”

Both GKN executives and elected officials speaking at the ceremony noted the success the company has attained is largely the result of its dedicated and skilled workers, several hundred of whom were in attendance.

Assemblyman Chris Ward said the company’s expansion was mostly due to the company’s local workforce. “This is about the people here who are going to be able to make the business grow, and your investment is going to have a profound impact on this region, creating a lot of well-paying, high skilled jobs,” Ward said. On the firm’s website, he said there are openings for machinists, programmers, engineers and electricians.

Chris Blessum, GKN’s HR director, said the positions for the bulk of the staffing excluding management at the new facility pay annual salaries ranging from $55,000 to more than $130,000.

To help GKN get many of these jobs filled, the state of California’s Employment Training Panel recently awarded a $785,000 grant to the company.

While GKN Aerospace keeps a low profile locally, it’s known worldwide as a supplier of both aircraft parts that range from engine components, wing and fuselage parts, electrical systems and windows, and a dominant player in the MRO space. It competes in both the civil and defense realms. As a subsidiary of Melrose PLC, a London stock exchange traded company, GKN is on track to surpass 3 billion pounds in revenue this year with the repair solutions segment alone exceeding $100 million next year.

GKN’s roots can be traced to the beginnings of the Industrial Revolution in England, when the Dowlais Ironworks Co was founded in 1759 in Wales. The first products revolved around making iron parts for Britain’s new railroads and bridges, but also included cannon balls during the Napoleonic Wars. Ever evolving and shifting through the various changes inherent in technological progress, the company also acquired and merged and at one point in the 1900s was known as Guest, Keen & Nettlefolds, Ltd.

Today, GKN Aerospace operates from 31 locations in 12 countries, employing some 16,000 workers, including its newest site in El Cajon.