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Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
It’s a sign of the times – LA MESA now up on La Mesa Boulevard
Story and photos by Karen Pearlman June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) — One day before the city of La Mesa unveils a “Bill Walton Way” street sign near Helix High, community members gathered in the La Mesa Village for a sign Walton would have loved — the long-awaited downtown district
News Issues
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Reading Cinemas closes at Grossmont Center; AMC to renovate and reopen movie theater in 2027
By Miriam Raftery June 9, 2026 (La Mesa) – AMC has announced that it will acquire and fully renovate the movie theater space long occupied by Reading Cinemas at Grossmont Center, though the site won’t reopen until early next year. Printer-friendly version
Politics
Tight race in 5th Supervisorial district race to fill Desmond’s seat
By G. A. McNeeley Miriam Raftery contributed to this report June 6, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The County Board of Supervisors will soon have a new face representing the 5th district, since Jim Desmond is termed out and running for the 48th Congressional District. San Marcos Mayor Rebecca
Campa-Najjar concedes Congressional primary race; Desmond and von Wilpert advance to November run-off
By Miriam Raftery June 3, 2026 (San Diego) – In the race to fill the redrawn 48th Congressional district seat being vacated by the retirement of Republican Darrell Issa, a a redrawn district that Democrats hope to flip from red to blue, the November run-off will be between Supervisor Jim
Wildfires and Emergencies
County Fire celebrates 17 new EMS graduates
By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office June 5, 2026 (San Diego) – Seventeen young adults earned their graduation certificate from County Fire’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Corps program, completing more than 400 hours of training designed to launch them into careers in the medical field. Printer-friendly version
New eco-friendly fire station opens in Jacumba
Photos courtesy County of San Diego East County News Service June 3, 2026 (Jacumba) — San Diego County officials and fire chiefs recently gathered in the county’s high desert area to break ground on a new, state-of-the-art county fire station. Fire Station 43, spearheaded by San Diego County Fire and
Events & Arts
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
La Mesa plans patriotic activities to celebration nation’s 250th birthday
East County News Service June 6, 2026 (La Mesa) – To celebrate the 250th Birthday of America, the community is invited to a weekend of fun and festive family events in La Mesa June 12-13. Events will kick off on Friday, June 12, with the summer’s first Movie in the
Best of East County
Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca renamed Cush-pii, its traditional Kumeyaay name
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (Cuyamaca) – A mountain in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park formerly called Stonewall Peak has officially had a name change. It is now called Cush-pii, which means “Sharp Peak” in the Kumeyaay language. The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names opted to rename
Photos of the Week: Two winning shots from Lake Jennings Photo Contest
East County News Service May 17, 2026 (East County) — The Helix Water District has announced the winners of the Lake Jennings 2026 Photo Contest: Sunrise to Sunset! and East County Magazine is featuring two for our “Photos of the Week.” At left and top, first-place youth category winner Hannah
People
Lemon Grove Forward Club earns 13 prestigious awards and community honors
East County News Service May 7, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — The Lemon Grove Forward Club received 11 prestigious awards this past April from the GFWC Southern District, recognizing the club as a leading intermediate-sized organization for its outstanding servicepeop and impact. The Lemon Grove Forward Club achieved 16,829 volunteer service
Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member); Nancy
Communities
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
Where Dreams Soar: New Gillespie Flight Center
By Miriam Raftery Photo: Owner Paul Kassel If you’ve ever longed to learn to fly, or if you’re a pilot seeking to upgrade your skills to fly for commercial airlines, you can make your dreams take wing at Gillespie Flight Center in El Cajon. “My father was a pilot and
Features
Summer BBQ, Open House and Pilot Meetup June 14 at Gillespie Flight Center Celebrates America’s 250th anniverary
By Miriam Raftery June 10, 2026 (El Cajon) – Pilots, aspiring pilots, friends and family are invited to a summer barbecue, open house and pilot meet up at Gillespie Flight School this Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary including
Stonewall Peak in Cuyamaca renamed Cush-pii, its traditional Kumeyaay name
East County News Service June 7, 2026 (Cuyamaca) – A mountain in Cuyamaca Rancho State Park formerly called Stonewall Peak has officially had a name change. It is now called Cush-pii, which means “Sharp Peak” in the Kumeyaay language. The California Advisory Committee on Geographic Names opted to rename
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CAREER DAY AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE TEAMS UP KIDS AND LOCAL BUSINESSES
Story by Miriam Raftery, Photos by Andy Phemister SPAWAR Engineer meets with students April 8, 2009 (El Cajon) – Over 1,500 eighth grade students from Cajon Valley Union School District learned about careers first-hand from dozens of local companies during Career Day at Grossmont College last week. Sponsored by the San Diego East County Chamber of Commerce, the event also
READY, SET, GO! CANCER SOCIETY HOLDS RELAY FOR LIFE IN LA MESA APRIL 25
April 7, 2009 (La Mesa)–Remember when you wanted to stay up all night just for the fun of it? Well, now you can, and for a good cause too. The American Cancer Society invites you to form a team and join its Relay For Life, an all-night, action-packed event to fight cancer on April 25th. More people than ever
TRADITION AND CONCEPT BRIDGED: ART EXHIBITION APRIL 13-30; ARTISTS RECEPTION APRIL 14 AT HYDE ART GALLERY
April 13, 2009 (El Cajon)–The Grossmont College Art Council presents “Traditon and Concept Bridged”, a ceramic exhibition by two very accomplished artists, Joanne Hayakawa and Kouta Shimazaki. “To term this exhibition a ceramics exhibition is to pare this collection of artwork down to it’s most minimal definition,” the gallery’s announcement states. “Even to use the title “Tradition and Concept Bridged”
MARKETING MATTERS: TIPS AND TRICKS FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS AND GROWTH
Your #1 Marketing Tool By Rama Beerfas April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Clients often ask me, “What is the number one most effective marketing tool?” My answer is, “Delivering consistent customer service at or above the level that is consistent with your image.” The truth is that no matter how good your product or service is, your
SDG&E PARTNERS WITH NISSAN TO GET SAN DIEGO ‘PLUG-IN’ READY
New, Zero-Emission Electric Vehicles to Reach San Diego Next Year April 1, 2009 (San Diego) – San Diego County will become one of the nation’s first “plug-in” ready green regions and start the transformation into a clean transportation community with San Diego Gas & Electric’s landmark partnership announced today with Nissan Motor Co. and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. As President Obama
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH: ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT HOOLEYS
Hundreds turned out for a wearin’ of the green, Irish fare and festivities at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grille in Rancho San Diego and La Mesa. From kilts to kitch, East County party-goers got into the holiday spirit! Nothing green to wear? Blarney and bling, all in green, was on sale for Hooleys’ patrons. If you missed the fun, not
Good Money – How to Survive a Bear Market, “Armchair Quarterback” Analysis
Your guide to profitable and socially responsible investing By Judith L. Seid, CFP ® April 1, 2009 (La Mesa)–I thought you would all appreciate this “armchair quarterback" analysis, done by a colleague in Cincinnati, OH, charting the mood swings during the 4th quarter of 2008 and its remarkably awful, three-month market run, which has continued into the first quarter of
RENT YOUR HOME? DRIVE A CAR? OWN A CREDIT CARD? RENTER’S INSURANCE CAN COVER THEFT LOSSES ON MORE THAN JUST YOUR APARTMENT
By Dennis Volz Editor’s note: My daughter found out the hard way why having renter’s insurance would have been a good idea. When thieves stole her car, car insurance only covered damage to the vehicle—not replacing the IPOD, leather jacket, text books and other items that were taken,too. So we’ve asked insurance agent Dennis Volz to provide some tips on
DO YOU OWN THESE DANGEROUS PRODUCTS? RECALLS ON LOG-SPLITTERS,HOME HEATING VENT PIPES, AND TOY BOXES ANNOUNCED
April 1, 2009 (Washington D.C.) – The Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced recalls on the following items: 1. Brave Products Reannounces Recall of Log Splitters; Additional Incidents Prompt Urgent Warning of Amputation Hazard 2. May 1, 2009 Deadline Approaching for Remedy Change in Recall Program; Consumers Urged to Replace Dangerous Home Heating Vent Pipes 3. Lakeshore Learning Materials Recalls
MEDIA WATCH: DEMISE OF NEWSPAPERS, INCREASED MEDIA CONSOLIDATION THREATEN DEMOCRACY, WARN MEDIA EXPERTS AT LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS EVENT
By Miriam Raftery “If we don’t find a way to save investigative journalism, our democracy will not only suffer, it will die." – Jeanne Brown, vice president, San Diego League of Women Voters “The good news is the rise of online, nonprofit journalism organizations like East County Magazine.” – J.W. August, managing editor, Channel 10 News “We believe the Internet
Budget Crisis Hits Home
State workers in East County struggle to cope with prospect of huge pay cuts, lay-offs; Judge orders Sept. 12 hearing on Governor’s wage-slashing orders By Miriam Raftery Photos by Aida Canonizado November 4, 2008 (El Cajon)–Mildred Scarber, a state employee who works at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in El Cajon, was shocked to learn that Governor Schwarzenegger has
SAN DIEGO COUNTY TURNS BLUE: MORE REGISTERED DEMOCRATS THAN REPUBLICANS, REGISTRAR REPORTS
Democratic voter registration volunteers cheer as Party Chair Jess Durfee announces San Diego County now has more registered Democrats than Republicans. NOVEMBER 2, 2008 (San Diego) — “We have, after 24 years, returned San Diego County to the blue column,” San Diego County Democratic Party Chairman Jess Durfee announced at a press conference today. According to the latest data released
DANGERS OF LIVING NEAR CELL PHONE TOWERS RAISED
La Mesa Council holds hearing Nov. 5 on proposal to erect cell phone tower in Lake Murray area By Miriam Raftery When Mom asked me to look into possible health hazards posed by cell phone panel antennas that a church in her neighborhood wants to put up, I expected to find reassuring facts to allay Mom’s concerns. Instead, I found
REMEMBER TO VOTE! ELECTION DAY TUESDAY NOV. 4TH
TIPS FOR VOTERS: Forgot to mail your absentee ballot? Do NOT put it in the mail! Ballots received late will NOT be counted. Instead, take it to any polling place or to the Registrar of Voters office. Have to work on Election Day? California law requires that your employer let you take time off from work to vote. Disabled and
EARLY VOTING LINES
Why does a County with 4,261 square miles have only 1 early voting place? Two San Diego Assemblymembers call for changes after ECM inquiry By Miriam Raftery Assemblywoman Lori Saldaña vowed to take action in Sacramento to require that San Diego have more early voting locations to avoid long lines in the future. November 2, 2008 (San Diego) — San
GREEN HOUSES: DEL CERRO DESIGNER COOKS UP A GREEN KITCHEN
By Miriam Raftery November 1, 2008 (Del Cerro) — “Clients will ask, `How can we go green and still make it beautiful? That’s really the trick,” observes designer Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Fahmie designed a green kitchen in his own Del Cerro home, using utilizing natural and eco-friendly materials as well as maximizing energy efficiency. “Granite is as green
EAST COUNTY ROUND-UP – NOVEMBER
Links to top stories in other publications on East County issues POWERLINK GETS PUMMELED ECM Editor’s note: The CPUC decision leaves the door open for a southern route to be built, which would impact East County communities near the border, so stay tuned. Voice of San Diego (November 1, 2008) — San Diego Gas & Electric’s proposed $1.2 billion Sunrise
FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE, CITIES & BOARDS TAKE STANDS ON PROP 8
Events planned this weekend by supporters and opponents of initiative to overturn same-sex marriage By Miriam Raftery Art Madrid, La Mesa Mayor November 1, 2008 (La Mesa) – La Mesa’s City Council voted unanimously to take a neutral stance on Proposition 8, drawing applause from most of the crowd assembled at council chambers last week. “The city of La Mesa
A CONSERVATIVE AGAINST PROP. 8!
By the Rev. Michael C. Boblett Editor’s Note: Proposition 8 seeks to overturn the legality of same-sex marriages in California. I believe that Proposition 8 is a perfect example of an important fault line dividing the conservative movement in America today. On one side of this line are people like me, fiscal conservatives who prefer a government that does not
HUNGRY IN EAST COUNTY
Story and photos by Gayle Early November 1, 2008 (La Mesa/Spring Valley) – It’s 7:00 a.m., third Saturday of the month. The line behind Crosspointe Life Church in La Mesa snakes through the parking lot and all the way down the alley. Feeding America, a nonprofit agency formerly known as Second Harvest, has dropped off its monthly food distribution here
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