Columns
East County Magazine
CLICK TO READ ALL CURRENT AND PAST COLUMNS BY THESE COLUMNISTS:
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link below to see all current and past columns.
Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link above to see all current and past columns.
Destination East County: hot August nights bring late summer celebrations
Printer-friendly version
Advancing Healthy Communities: Inside the Bing and Underage Drinking Initiative’s 2025 Annual Status Report for County
By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Director, Institute for Public Strategies July 1, 2025 (El Cajon) — Community leaders, prevention experts, and local advocates came together at Singing Hills Golf
CHIEF’S CORNER: SURVIVING A CIVIL UNREST EVENT
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna June 20, 2025 (San Diego)– Things have been heating up lately, but in a different way. Civil unrest has become the new norm. Like any
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: JOURNEY OF YOUR MIND: UNDERSTANDING SUBSTANCE MISUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH
By Seraphina Eberhardt Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies June 17, 2025 (San Diego County) — High school students face mounting pressures, from academic expectations to social challenges.
DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: JAMMIN’ JUNE EVENTS
By Miriam Raftery May 20, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jam-packed with summer fun, including outdoor concerts in El Cajon, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, Santee, and
EARTHTALK®: REDUCING RISKS OF CHEMICALS IN MANICURES AND PEDICURES
From the Editors of E – The Environmental Magazine Image via Pixabay April 15, 2025 Dear EarthTalk: Am I being exposed to harsh chemicals when I get a manicure or
ADVANCING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES: PROMOTE WELLNESS DURING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AND END STIGMA
By Seraphina Eberhardt, Program Manager, Institute for Public Strategies East County May 9. 2025 (San Diego’s EastCounty) — May 2025 marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating
CHIEF’S CORNER: RATTLESNAKES ARE COMING OUT—WATCH YOUR STEP!
Printer-friendly version
CHIEF’S CORNER: IF YOU’RE TEXTING, WHO’S DRIVING?
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna April 30, 2025 (San Diego) — April is National Distracted Driver Awareness Month. You’ve seen it and there is a good chance you’ve done it.
TOUR DE TAPAS BRINGS TASTES OF EUROPE TO LA MESA VILLAGE
An East County Eater review By Miriam Raftery April 29, 2025 (La Mesa) – Now you don’t have to venture to a tapas bar in Spain or a sidewalk café
Search by Specific Date
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.
CLICK TO READ ALL CURRENT AND PAST COLUMNS BY THESE COLUMNISTS:
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link below to see all current and past columns.
Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link above to see all current and past columns.
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Thanksgiving safety tips with a side of manners
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna November 22, 2025 (San Diego) — Thanksgiving signifies the beginning of the holiday season. Many will be spending more time in the kitchen preparing for the holidays.
ACT II provides budget-friendly and stylish women’s fashions
By Heidi Hope November 18, 2025 (La Mesa)– For 43 years, Act II has been a thriving and successful boutique offering women’s resale fashion in La Mesa’s downtown village. It
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month
By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna November 17, 2025 (San Diego) — November is the time to spotlight early detection, community support, and lifesaving education. Local leaders and national organizations
East County Eater: Fresheria, a new La Mesa eatery, offers delicious healthy foods
By Miriam Raftery Photo: cauliflower ceviche November 16, 2026 (La Mesa) – If you’re looking to eat healthy and savor a wide array of delicious options, you’ll want
Advancing Healthy Communities: From conflict to connection: Trauma-informed dialogue in a time of unrest
By Venture Griswold, Institute for Public Strategies Photo: “Kitchen Table Conversation” by Peter Alfred Hess is licensed under CC BY 2.0. November 4, 2025 (San Diego) — If the world feels heavy to you
From the Fire Chief’s Corner: Let’s “move it” this November
Growing Conversations, Saving Lives By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna October 24, 2025 (San Diego) – Each November, a global movement takes root, one mustache at a time. Movember isn’t just about
Shawn Dixon named president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
East County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (San Diego) — Shawn Dixon has been named the new president and CEO of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The
Advancing Healthy Communities: 2025 substance use and overdose report card released
San Diego County sees progress in overdose prevention, but challenges remain By Seraphina Eberhardt Photo: District Attorney Summer Stephan, standing with other county officials, speaks at a press conference recognizing International
Destination East County: Notable November Events
October 18, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) – November brings numerous noteworthy events to East County, including the Ramona Art and Wine Festival, an Antique and Craft Fair at Summers
Media Watch: Free speech groups denounce deportation of Emmy-award winning journalist for live-streaming ICE raids and protests
By Miriam Raftery October 5, 2025 (Atlanta, GA) – In an action that has drawn condemnation from journalism and civil liberties organizations, the Department of Homeland Security on Friday deported
Columns
East County Magazine
CLICK TO READ ALL CURRENT AND PAST COLUMNS BY THESE COLUMNISTS:
Scroll down to see the most recent column entries by all columnists, or click your favorite columnist’s link below to see all current and past columns.
Advancing Healthy Communities
Destination East County
Earth Talk ®
East County Eater
From the Chief’s Corner
Media Watch
Archived Columns(Columnists no longer active.)
Lemon Grove Forward Club announces annual Sock Drive for November
Source: Lemon Grove Forward Club November 4, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – The Lemon Grove Forward Club is kicking off its annual sock drive, “Socktober,” a tradition that has made a positive