EAST COUNTY HAPPENINGS

City council

Lemon Grove, 6 p.m. Tuesday School boards

Santee School District, 6 p.m. Tuesday

Alpine library hosts PAWS reading program

A new twice-monthly program, “Paws for Reading,” will be offered by the Alpine Public Library from 4 to 5 p.m. Tuesday. This program allows children to practice their reading skills by reading aloud to a certified therapy dog. Each 10-minute session will include a child, parent or guardian, a dog handler and a licensed therapy dog. Sign-up is required at the front desk 15 minutes before the event begins. Space is limited. The library is at 1752 Alpine Blvd. Call (619) 4454221.

Santee offers residents a Photo Challenge

Santee invites the community to take part in its Self-guided Photo Challenge, taking place now through Jan. 31. Complete various challenges by taking photos as instructed at various Santee parks, then submit photos to Specialevents@cityofsanteeca.gov. There are no required days or times to complete the challenges -- visit the parks when it's convenient for you. Winners will be randomly selected on Feb. 1. Prizes include a Hop Down the Bunny Trail Prize Package (April 1), a reserved parking spot at one of Santee's Summer Concerts, a reserved canopy and parking spot at Santee Salutes (July 4) and more. Every photo submission equals one entry into the drawing at the end of the month, so the more challenges completed, the more entries. Visit bit.ly/3kb42zi to find the challenges, rules and details.

Free class at Sharp resource center

The Sharp Grossmont Hospital Senior Resource Center is offering “How to Talk With Your Doctor,” a free class from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Learn tips and tricks to help maximize your time with your doctor. This class will highlight ways to be prepared for your next appointment. Register at (800) 827-4277 or visit sharp,com/classes. Free on-site parking.

Women’s Wellness Fair coming Thursday Neighborhood Healthcare hosts a Women's Wellness Fair from 8:30 a.m. to noon Thursday at 855 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon. Services provided include mammograms, annual wellness exams, chiropractic and acupuncture information, free at-home COVID-19 test kits and more. To schedule your appointment or learn if you qualify for free cancer screening services, call (760) 737-6975. Mammograms and wellness exams will run all day.

Lemon Grove Lions toy giveaway a success

The Lemon Grove Lions Club recently partnered with Kids Fashion Week Network for a successful toy giveaway for the holidays. More than 250 children were served, and surplus toys were donated to a local women and children's shelter. The club thanks its volunteers, Santa (Darrel L. Esline), The Hamlett, GFWC-LEMON Grove Forward Club and 13 Point Brewing Company for their support and contributions. Local businesses that allowed donation boxes also played a large part in the event's success, including Lidos, Onyx Moto, AAA Imaging, El Pollo Grill, Lemon Grove Shoe Repair, VFW Hall, Giardino, Miss

Donuts, Elevate Coffee and Confections, Inpasta, 13 Point Brewing Company, Larry H. Miller Toyota of Lemon Grove, Coops West Texas BBQ, Lemon Grove Cafe, My Space and Early Learning Time, Lemon Grove Fire Station 10, DG Salon and Uhaul of Lemon Grove. Visit e-clubhouse.org/ sites/lemon_grove.

Flinn Springs community cleanup Saturday

Join I Love A Clean San Diego, Flinn Springs County Park, and the County of San Diego for a litter cleanup in Flinn Springs from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday. The group will divert litter from the San Diego River Watershed and keep it from traveling to the Pacific Ocean. Flinn Springs County Park is at 14787 Old Highway 80, El Cajon. Staff will have a check-in table and supplies. This event requires a signed liability waiver for all volunteers. Sign up at bit.ly/3xifpga.

Lake Jennings opens for night fishing

Lake Jennings hosts New Moon Fishing until 10 p.m. Saturday. Daily use fee (not fishing), $4 adults; fishing fees, $12 adults (age 16-plus), senior/ military, $11, ages 6 to 15, $8, ages 5 and younger, free. Boat rentals will be available. Lanterns required after 5 p.m. A California state fishing license is required. Park opens at 6 a.m.; gate closes at 8 p.m. Saturday. Lake Jennings is at 9535 Harritt Road, Lakeside. Visit lakejennings.org/event/ new-moon-fishing-18.

Credit union provides $5K in teacher grants

North Island Credit Union recently announced the recipients of its Fall 2022 Teacher Grant program. Ten grants of $500 each were awarded to educators in order to underwrite class projects countywide. Jennifer Bromma of Santana High School in Santee was one of the grantees. Among the projects chosen were ones launching a class-based business, starting a forensic science program, and creating a kindergarten vegetable garden. Since the program began in 2012, the credit union has awarded $165,000 in teacher grants to support classroom programs. Any full-time classroom teacher in San Diego, Los Angeles, Orange or Riverside county can apply for a grant. Visit northisland.ccu.com.

School appoints new executive director

Janet Vásquez has been appointed executive director of Excellence and Justice in Education Academies, a dual-immersion (Spanish/english) charter school in El Cajon that serves more than 800 students, primarily from low-income families. She served as principal and math teacher at the campus's middle school for more than 12 years. She has implemented programs and initiatives focused on social justice, equity, and access to higher education. Vásquez holds a Master of Education degree from UCLA, and a bachelor's in international studies and sociology, with a minor in law and society, from UCSD. She began her career as a teacher in Los Angeles' Pico Union neighborhood as a founding member of a middle school team where she served for three years.

Blood drives

The San Diego Blood Bank hosts these donor opportunities:

• Alpine Community, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, 2156 Alpine Blvd., Women's Club parking lot

• El Cajon Harley-davidson, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 621 El Cajon Blvd., El Cajon

• Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Jan. 22, 13208 Lakeshore Drive, Lakeside Appointments are honored first and walk-ins are welcome. Photo ID required. Call (800) 400-8251 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org.

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