East County Magazine
BE A FLOWER HELPER (OR JUST AN ADMIRER) AT THE WORLD’S BIGGEST FLOWER PARADE
Roses for Bayer float December 1, 2008 (Pasadena) — For a unique adventure just up the road, you can help behind the scenes in the days before the Jan. 1st Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. The parade will be seen by 40 million people on Jan. 1 on TV networks including HGTV. Each float is decorated with more flowers
HOLIDAY SEASON ARRIVES IN EAST COUNTY
By Miriam Raftery It’s official! The holiday season has begun, heralded in by special events across East County. Over 100,000 people turned out to watch the 2008 Mother Goose Parade on Sunday, which had a “Heroes of Might and Magic” theme. Dazzling floats, giant balloons, equestrians, marching bands, 50 celebrities plus heroes ranging from fictional Star Wars characters to real-life
TALKING TURKEY: BEST THANKSGIVING OPTIONS FOR EAST COUNTY RESIDENTS
By Miriam Raftery Credit: Leon Thompson Whether your holiday spirit hearkens for a traditional feast or offbeat alternative activities, you’ll find plenty of tempting choices in and around East County this Thanksgiving weekend. Here are a few of my favorite discoveries for ECM readers to savor: Wild turkeys outside Pine Hills Lodge, Julian. Credit: Miriam Raftery Feast in the Woods:
WEEKEND HALLOWEEN SCENE & MORE EAST COUNTY EVENTS
For a frightfully good time this week (not to mention satisfying your sweet tooth cravings), you’ll find plenty of Halloween haunts in East County. Start with Wednesday night’s “Trunk or Treat” in El Cajon, where classic car club members will be doling out goodies. On Thursday, dig into a pumpkin pie-eating contest and costume party in Valley Center, or chill
LIBRARY FRIENDS ANNOUNCE ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS
November 1, 2008 (San Diego) – The Library Friends of San Diego County (LFSDC) announced the winners of its annual essay contest, with this year’s theme, "Libraries, Loud or Quiet?" First, second and third place winners in the youth, teen and adult categories will be honored by the San Diego County Board of Supervisors at the Tuesday, November 18 meeting,
A QUESTION OF POWER ON SDG&E’S PROPOSED SUNRISE POWERLINK:
Video documentary distributed to CPUC is now online October 23, 2008 (San Diego, CA) – Stubborn Mule Productions and Backcountry Against the Dump, Inc. announce that “A Question of Power” is now available online. This one-hour locally produced grassroots documentary about the ongoing battle over the 150-mile “Sunrise Powerlink” transmission line proposed by San Diego Gas & Electric was
ONLY IN EAST COUNTY
Mayor Mark Lewis and Mother Goose congratulate winners in the Chicken Hat contest at El Cajon’s Oktoberfest, sponsored by the German American Societies. Alpine dancers add to the festive atmosphere at La Mesa’s Oktoberfest. Printer-friendly version
HUNDREDS FLOCK TO ELKS OKTOBERFEST
By Miriam Raftery October 20, 2008 (El Cajon) – Over 800 people flocked to an Oktoberfest celebration hosted by El Cajon’s Elks Lodge 1812, a tradition that dates back to 1975. “I started the Oktoberfest,” said Giselle Howard (photo, left), who was also the festival’s first Oktoberfest Queen. “This is why every year, they honor me.” Still radiant at 86,
POLITICKIN’ EAST COUNTY STYLE
Counting down to the November 4 election, folks in East County and San Diego’s eastern region are pulling out all the stops to campaign for their favorite candidates. Printer-friendly version
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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.
Thanks to the Prebys Foundation for their generous support.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
Thanks to the Prebys Foundation for their generous support.
Don’t miss Santa Ysabel and Wynola on your way to visit Julian
Tiny mountain towns often overlooked by travelers in East County’s back country By Paul Levikow Photos by Miriam Raftery and Paul Levikow April 10, 2026 (Santa Ysabel/Wynola) – Visitors travelling
Photo of the Week: Jacumba Sunset
April 6, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) – Martin Eder sent in this photo, taken along Interstate 8 just west of Jacumba near the San Diego-Imperial County line, after he attended
Male lion joins pride at San Diego Zoo Safari Park
East County News Service View video: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1484962496593617 March 24, 2026 (San Pasqual) — The lion pride at the Safari Park just got a little louder…
Sunrise to sunset is theme of 2026 Lake Jennings photo contest
East County News Service March 15, 2026 (Lakeside) – Lake Jennings invites you to enter your best photos taken at Lake Jennings between April 1…
February fun: free admission for seniors at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park
By Miriam Raftery February 23, 2026 (San Pasqual Valley) – Who knew that giraffes sleep only 5 to 30 minutes a day, while standing up?…
DESTINATIONS: Borrego and beyond — a beautiful backcountry day
By Karen Pearlman, with photos by Karen Pearlman and Miriam Raftery Feb. 22, 2026 (San Diego County) — With an early wildflower bloom in Borrego,…
Early desert wildflowers abloom in Borrego area
By Miriam Raftery February 16, 2026 (Borrego Springs) – Heavy winter rains have brought an early start to wildflower blooming season in the Anza Borrego…
Photo of the Week: Here’s the buzz!
East County News Service February 7, 2026 (La Mesa) — Kristin Kjaero snapped this photo of a honeybee pollinating flowers in her succulent garden in…
Pine Valley Camp Christmas brings forest to life with lights, holiday music and activities
East County News Service November 17, 2025 (Pine Valley) – Each Friday, Saturday and Sunday night from Nov. 21 through Dec. 23, Pine Valley Camp Christmas provides enchanting family entertainment.
Photo of the Week: Beaver moon
East County News Service November 9, 2025 (Mt. Helix) — Dawn Sebaugh snapped this picture of the “Beaver Moon” on November 5, The November full moon was dubbed “Beaver Moon”
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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.
Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues