October 21, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Visitors to El Cajon's first-ever Foodie Fest on October 9 had an opportunity to savor flavors from an array of restaurants and caterers, featuring cuisines from around the world.
East County Magazine intern Cristina Lombardo visited Foodie Fest and created a video to document the experience. She spoke with local restarurant owners and an event organizer of the successful event.
Among the offerings were Iraqi, Afghan, Mexican, Italian, Hawaiian foods and more. Offerings ranged from spicy entrees to healthy smoothies to rich desserts.
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Article & photographs by: Robert Gehr - Copyright Ó 2014 by Robert Gehr
August 21, 2014 (El Cajon)--Renovated from the ground up, this wonderful park is located in downtown El Cajon at Main St. & Sulzfeld and features plenty of seating - from benches to grassy areas - for a break from the hustle of life. Shade trees, such as the blue flowering Jacaranda, give relief from the hot sun while street noise fades into the background. Sit quietly long enough, and you may see a variety of birds, including ducks from the waterscape across the street, ravens, hummingbirds and an occasional hawk.
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Photo: immigrant-owned businesses in San Diego’s Little Mogadishu, Little Saigon, and downtown El Cajon
By Nadin Abbott
April 9, 2014 (San Diego)—In recent years there has been considerable debate over how to modify the immigration system and how to grow the economy. Both are related--and both matter to not just the national economy, but our regional economy. There has also been renewed emphasis in growing our export capacity, which has lagged. But there has always been an emphasis on small businesses as the engine of American economy—and now a new report shows that immigrants are fueling that engine.
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October 22, 2013 (El Cajon ) – By a unanimous vote, El Cajon’s City Council today voted to enter into an exclusive negotiation agreement with Excel Hotel Group to develop a Marriott Courtyard hotel at the northeast corner of Magnolia Avenue and Rea Street in the Civic Center block.
The proposal hinges on the state selling and to the city of El Cajon at the corner of Magnolia and Rea. The City would then sell the land to Marriott for a dollar and give up a portion of the transient occupancy tax (TOT) for a few years. At the end of ten years, the city expects to receive enough revenue from property taxes and TOT to repay the city the cost of the land.
“It sweetens the pot for them to spend several million dollars,” Councilman Gary Kendrick told East County Magazine. He calls the deal a “win-win” for all parties.
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May 3, 2013 (El Cajon)—Now through the end of summer, you can enjoy free concerts and discounts on fine dining every Friday night in downtown El Cajon. Downtown El Cajon business partners presents Dinner and a Concert, featuring new band performing live each week on the Prescott Promenade from 6-8 p.m.
The schedule of performers is as follows:
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Last week, after a morning of all work and no play, my editor and I craved escape from the heat wave --and more importantly a bite to eat.
We headed into the heart of El Cajon to the aptly titled Downtown Café.We found welcome relief from the sweltering heat as we swung open doors and stepped into the Downtown Café, a bold corner centerpiece of Main Street rich with vintage flair and historic ambience.
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August 22, 2011 (El Cajon) – Looking to kick up your heels and dance the night away? Or just kick back with a picnic dinner while enjoying some live music under the stars? El Cajon’s Concerts on the Green continue each Friday night from 6 to 8 p..m. now through September 30th.
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April 28, 2011(El Cajon) -- The theme next week for the Cajon Classic Cruise is Cinco de Mayo. Featured cars from Latino car clubs and collectors will be on display in addition to the classic souped up, and dressed out cars always on display. To see the Cajon Classic Cruise schedule, and other information see: Cajon Classic Cruise information
Mariachis will be performing, and the downtown merchants will be serving Cinco de Mayo food and drink specials May 4 (a day before cinco de Mayo) from 5-9 p.m. Car Show Ambassador, Steve Lordigyan, a car collector himself, says "This night is always fun because we often see cars we rarely see throughout the season."
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February 24, 2011 (El Cajon) –Should El Cajon renew its Community Development Corporation (CDC) and Planned Business Improvement District (PBID)? Downtown merchants will be asked that question starting in mid-March, when a petition for renewal will be circulated to bring the issue up for a vote.
But a Blue Ribbon Commission chaired by developer Daryl Priest issued a report January 31st calling for the CDC/PBID to be suspected because of “ineffective management” by the CDC. The CDC in turn has issued a point-by-point rebuttal while mobilizing community support.
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February 4, 2011 (El Cajon) --Want to upgrade your commercial storefront or interior in Downtown El Cajon? Want to open a new retail or restaurant business in Downtown?
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Egyptian proprietor also serves up coffee, snacks, and free classes to help Arabic-speaking residents
By Miriam Raftery
January 17, 2011 (El Cajon) --
On Saturday, throngs of well-wishers stopped by on Saturday to bid welcome (ahlan wa sahaln, أهلا وسهلا) to Zohny Hanna at his new business, Serenity House in downtown El Cajon. The store/coffee shop offers Christian books, art, and music in Arabic. Located on Main Street just east of Magnolia, Serenity House also offers free classes in English and community orientations for East County’s growing population of Arabic-speaking immigrants, asylees, and refugees.
“This is my land now. America is my new home,” says Hanna, who came here on a tourist vista back in 1997 with his wife and children, then received asylum status due to persecution of Coptic Christians in his native Egypt.
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New ECCDC report highlights accomplishments, but results are apparent in a stroll down Main Street
By Miriam Raftery
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November 24, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley in downtown El Cajon! There is no charge to ride the authentic British-style double-decker bus, which passengers can board at East Main Street and Sulzfeld Avenue, across from Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.
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Also enjoy "After the Goose" shopping specials, rides and activities in downtown El Cajon
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Okay, so we don't have beaches in East County. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a beach party. The public is invited to attend the second annual "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" Party on Friday, April 16 from 4:47 to 8:00 pm in downtown El Cajon. The ground floor of the empty commercial space at 237 East Main Street will be transformed into a tropical beach resort setting with tiki bars, food and drinks from local restaurants and pubs, dancing to live music by Private Domain, and prizes such as a Schwinn Beach Cruiser. The after-work gathering is open to everyone to celebrate and network with East County leaders, business professionals, community supporters, and neighbors.
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December 1, 2009 (El Cajon) --When visiting the East County Regional Center and Superior Court House, downtown businesses ask for your support in parking in the appropriate designated parking areas as shown on the map link below.The City asks for public cooperation during construction of the new Public Safety Center.
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October 17, 2009 – The City of El Cajon has issued a traffic advisory for October 17, 21 and 24 due to pouring a concrete foundation for the City’s new Public Safety Center downtown. Some streets around City Hall will be closed during the high volume concrete pour.
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
April 28, 2011(El Cajon) -- The theme next week for the Cajon Classic Cruise is Cinco de Mayo. Featured cars from Latino car clubs and collectors will be on display in addition to the classic souped up, and dressed out cars always on display. To see the Cajon Classic Cruise schedule, and other information see: 
y Miriam Raftery
February 4, 2011 (El Cajon) --Want to upgrade your commercial storefront or interior in Downtown El Cajon? Want to open a new retail or restaurant business in Downtown?
By Miriam Raftery
highlights accomplishments, but results are apparent in a stroll down Main Street
November 24, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Enjoy a ride on the Holly Jolly Trolley in downtown El Cajon! There is no charge to ride the authentic British-style double-decker bus, which passengers can board at East Main Street and Sulzfeld Avenue, across from Prescott Promenade in downtown El Cajon.
Okay, so we don't have beaches in East County. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy a beach party. The public is invited to attend the second annual "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" Party on Friday, April 16 from 4:47 to 8:00 pm in downtown El Cajon. The ground floor of the empty commercial space at 237 East Main Street will be transformed into a tropical beach resort setting with tiki bars, food and drinks from local restaurants and pubs, dancing to live music by Private Domain, and prizes such as a Schwinn Beach Cruiser. The after-work gathering is open to everyone to celebrate and network with East County leaders, business professionals, community supporters, and neighbors.
October 17, 2009 – The City of El Cajon has issued a traffic advisory for October 17, 21 and 24 due to pouring a concrete foundation for the City’s new Public Safety Center downtown. Some streets around City Hall will be closed during the high volume concrete pour.
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