🌱 Patch AM: What Romero’s departure means for Lemon Grove’s next chapter

Good morning Lemon Grove! We're back again in your inbox, keeping you updated with what's happening in and around town. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What Romero’s departure means for Lemon Grove’s next chapter
• Discover the kids’ book retelling Lemon Grove’s landmark 1931 school case

Also on today's calendar: Peace Out 2025 - NYE at the Living Coast and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Morning rain, with a high of 68 and low of 52 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy with showers around, temps: high: 63, low: 49.
• Saturday: Mostly cloudy, showers around, with a high of 63 and low of 44 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• City Manager Lydia Romero to leave Lemon Grove (eastcountymagazine.org) — Lemon Grove’s longtime city manager, Lydia Romero, will step down on December 31 after a decade leading the city, though she hasn’t shared her reasons for leaving. Mayor Alysson Snow credits Romero with putting Lemon Grove on an upswing and says the city will build on the strong foundation she leaves behind. Residents can expect continuity in direction even as leadership changes.
   

• 31 Days, 31 Lists: 2025 American History Books for Kids (slj.com) — A new kids’ history book list spotlights “A Sea of Lemon Trees,” a verse novel about the 1931 Lemon Grove school segregation case and student Roberto Alvarez’s stand for justice. The roundup praises the book for making this local civil rights milestone accessible to young readers nationwide, alongside many other American history titles for children.
   

📸 Around Lemon Grove

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lemon Grove

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Wednesday December 31

• Peace Out 2025 - NYE at the Living Coast
  Living Coast Discovery Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Dr, Chula Vista
  6:00 pm

Sunday January 18

• Crossing Over with Psychic Medium John Edward live in San Diego, CA!
  San Diego Marriott Del Mar, 11966 El Camino Real, San Diego
  1:00 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Monday December 29

• Year-End Sew-In — SD METRO MQG
  Lemon Grove Library , 3001 School Ln , Lemon Grove
  11:00 am

Wednesday December 31

• AGIF New Year's Eve
  Veterans Association of North County , 1617 Mission Ave , Oceanside
  7:00 pm

Sunday January 4

• Lemon Grove Forward Club Skate to Donate Fundraiser
  Ringer's Roller Rink , 6060 Federal Blvd , San Diego
  12:00 pm

📣 Lemon Grove Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 25

• Work Skills Adult Group
  836 Kempton St , Spring Valley
  6:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Winter Break
  San Carlos Branch Library , 7265 Jackson Drive , San Diego
• Drop-In Tech Help
  Fletcher Hills Branch Library , 576 Garfield Ave , El Cajon
  10:00 am
• La Mesa Village Farmers Market
  La Mesa Village , La Mesa Blvd., between 4th St. and Palm Ave. , La Mesa
  3:00 pm
• Keni Yarbro
  La Valencia Hotel , 1132 Prospect St , La Jolla
  6:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Free Concert Series
  Gladly Coffee , 9631 Campo Rd , Spring Valley
  1:30 pm
• NERD TRIVIA - December 27th — Brew Coffee Spot
  Brew Coffee Spot , 6101 Lake Murray Blvd , La Mesa
  3:00 pm
• Kevin James O'Brien
  La Valencia Hotel , 1132 Prospect St , La Jolla
  6:00 pm
• Trevor Davis
  Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa , 9700 N Torrey Pines Rd , La Jolla
  6:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lemon Grove PatchAM possible:

• PlayPro Guitar School — (619) 454-5375
  Mention “Patch10” for 10% off your 1st pkg of 4 lessons
• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Update: owner is located in process of returning her home💚
  Found this beautiful baby girl in San Miguel and New Jersey .. we currently have her now if you’re looking for her please DM (Nextdoor Massachussetts to I 125)
• Does this dog belong to anybody?
  Found in driveway on Massachusetts near madera. Super friendly male seems to favor me over my husband. (Nextdoor Lemon Grove)

• Jack in the Box, Inc. posted a job opening for Grill Cook in Lemon Grove. Apply here.
• Chilli's posted a job opening for Janitor - La Mesa Chili's in La Mesa. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Lemon Grove here.

🗞 Nearby News

La Mesa

• Semi truck crash in La Mesa closes freeway transition ramp for hours (sandiegouniontribune.com)
• The Streamline: San Diego gets ready for major holiday storm (10news.com)

El Cajon

• Things to do include festival, parade, running event and more (sandiegouniontribune.com)
• Can I write in a candidate — especially myself — for my HOA board? (sandiegouniontribune.com)
• Top 10 girls basketball rankings (mercedsunstar.com)

San Diego

Ok Lemon Grove! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

• Help us grow by suggesting local news sources.
• Shape this newsletter with your feedback.
• List items for sale or services offered

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook