This week is exciting as we publish our 2015 Best of East County award recipients. It seemed like voting went on forever, but results are in and in the special edition you will see what the people of East County love the most. With so many categories, this is a great guide for us all to use in trying a new restaurant, finding the perfect manicurist, doctor, equestrian trails and more. In looking at the winners, there are definitely some new places and services that I am interested in trying.
This week is exciting as we publish our 2015 Best of East County award recipients. It seemed like voting went on forever, but results are in and in the special edition you will see what the people of East County love the most. With so many categories, this is a great guide for us all to use in trying a new restaurant, finding the perfect manicurist, doctor, equestrian trails and more. In looking at the winners, there are definitely some new places and services that I am interested in trying. So congratulations to the entire first and second place frontrunners. You are all winners.
Hyde Art Gallery, Grossmont College
On Monday, the Hyde Art Gallery opens up an exhibit of the art of El Cajon’s Kathy Nida. In “Contemporary Crafts,” Nida utilizes her talents in printmaking, quilting, and embroidery to create many multi-media pieces that will be on display through Feb. 25, with a meet the artist reception on Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. Check out our calendar of events for all the details.
Medical Marijuana
In a series of city council meeting throughout East County, it looks like all of our cities are giving a resounding no to medical marijuana facilities within our city areas, even though it is legal in the state of California. El Cajon, Santee, La Mesa, and Lemon Grove are all in the process of tightening regulations (some tougher than others) to see that this does not happen in their cities. It makes me wonder if any of our elected leaders have ever had to face life-threatening illnesses, especially cancer with a close loved one. I think if they did, they might have a different view on the subject. I have seen several people, most whom would never even think of using marijuana in any form; find it a viable solution for pain, depression and anxiety during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. It is not only limited to cancer patients, but there are many illnesses and injuries that people have replaced expensive medications for nausea and pain that just do not work and break their banks in the process. It is a shame to deny these people access to what they need, and as a citizen can rightfully obtain. And the argument that the people going in and out of the facilities “do not look sick” is old and tiring. How and who are you to judge a person’s physical health by watching them walk through a door. Take care of the abusers and leave the patients alone.
I understand the fear of the abusers of the system, the possible availability to our children, but there should be a middle ground. And while our cities are working on ordinances to keep these pot shops away, they might start looking into the very near future.
It is a probability that we will see the complete legalization of recreational marijuana in California the 2016 elections. Signatures are being gathered, and in several in the field and online polls, a majority of the people of California believes it should be legalized. There is an average margin of seven to 10 percent more that favor legalization than oppose it. It might not seem like much number wise, but in an election that high of a percentage can easily be a landslide. I have read in several sources that if this is on the 2016 ballot, that there is an expectation of a tremendous turnout of young and new voters. So, it will be interesting to see what happens if this comes to pass. Even if it does not, our cities are leaving many sick people out in the aisle, making them travel when they are sick, or denying them their rights as a citizen.
