East County Magazine
Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch coming on June 6
East County News Service May 24, 2026 (Lemon Grove) — J Lau Farrow-Halston of Escondido Drag is hosting the Lemon Grove Pride Drag Brunch next month. The 2 1/2-hour show will include performances by Amore Envy, Gabby Link Aux and Drag Latina’s Rosalinda and will be held starting at noon on Saturday, June 6. Doors open at 11 a.m. at
Destination East County: Joyful June events
By Miriam Raftery May 21, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – June is jumping with joyful events including Santee Summer Knights—a Medieval festival, star parties on Mount Laguna, Wild in the Country at Lions, Tigers and Bears in Alpine, open farm tours at Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, a ballet production of Snow White at Kroc Theatre, Cajon Cruise nights,
Al Awael Brings Authentic Iraqi Cuisine to El Cajon
Review by Philicia Tonangoye May 16, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) –On the corner of Avocado and Chase Ave in El Cajon, Al Awael is a new family-owned Mediterranean restaurant that offers a wide range of flavorful and affordable Middle Eastern food options for individual diners or family occasions. Al Awael, meaning “the first,” holds special significance for the owner.
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 Hedrick’s “A Dusky Walk,” and below right, second place youth
Mount Laguna Observatory summer visitors program starts May 23
East County News Service May 17, 2026 (Mount Laguna) — Star parties are back at Mount Laguna with the return of the Summer Visitors Program at the Mount Laguna Observatory. The public programs will be held on Saturday nights from 8 to 11 p.m., May 23 through August 15, with a special bonus mid-week viewing scheduled for Wednesday, August 12.
Frontier Airlines’ ‘GoWild’ Pass: the deal that sounds too good to be true — because it is
A San Diego traveler’s firsthand account of an all-you-can-fly promotion that delivered nothing at all By Henri Migala May 16, 2026 (San Diego) – Imagine paying a flat annual fee and then flying anywhere an airline flies — as many times as you want — for nothing more than government taxes and fees. That’s the promise behind Frontier Airlines’ GoWild
‘Snow White’ coming to Joan B. Kroc Theatre on May 30 and 31
Photo by Trystan Loucado East County News Service May 12, 2026 (San Diego) — San Diego’s BalletCenter Studios is set to to debut its latest production, “Snow White,” at the end of the month for three performances at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre inside The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Rolando. Scheduled for Saturday, May
Santee to transform into medieval kingdom for ‘Summer Knights’ Community Festival
Photo courtesy Santee Kiwanis East County News Service May 11, 2026 (Santee) — A coalition of East County community service organizations led by Santee Kiwanis will debut Santee Summer Knights, a new regional medieval festival, next month. The three-day event from June 5-7 will be held on the grounds of the Historic Barn, 9200 Magnolia Ave., in Santee. A public-private
Lions Tigers & Bears ‘Wild in the Country’ event is May 30
East County News Service May 9, 2026 (Alpine) — Lions Tigers & Bears, Southern California’s premier accredited big cat and bear sanctuary, is holding its signature fundraising gala, Wild in the Country later this month. The event is set to take place from 2 to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 30 at 24402 Martin Way, the organization’s 142-acre ranch in Alpine.
SD & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network hosting expo June 11
East County News Service May 9, 2026 (La Mesa) –The San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center Network will host the Small Business Expo La Mesa on Thursday, June 11 at the La Mesa Community Center. The half-day event is designed to support local entrepreneurs, is scheduled to run from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at 4975 Memorial Drive.
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Our Guide to Live Entertainment venues
COOLEST PLACE IN TOWN: POOL FLICKS & HOT KROC NIGHTS
July 9, 2009 (San Diego) — Here’s some news the kids will "snap" up: Salvation Army Kroc Center announces its popular "Hot Kroc Nights" and "Pool Flicks" are back for the 2009 Summer Season. Hot Kroc Nights offer family specials for ice skating or swimming every Wednesday night through August 26. Pool Flicks, July 29 and August 19, provide
“MAGNIFICENT MILKY WAY” WITH ASTRONOMER DENNIS MAMMANA AT BORREGO SPRINGS AUG. 15
July 5, 2009 (Borrego Springs)–Few celestial sights are as stunning as an August desert sky. On Saturday, August 15, famed astronomer and night sky photographer Dennis Mammana offers an evening of galactic viewing along the Milky Way. Mammana invites guests to "witness some of the most magnificent scenery anywhere" from “the nearest of stars and glowing nebulae
PICNIC, FIREWORKS & STREET CLOSURES ANNOUNCED IN EL CAJON FOR 4TH
July 4, 2009 (El Cajon)–A dazzling display of fireworks will light the skies over El Cajon this 4th of July thanks to a generous donation by Waste Management in partnership with the City of El Cajon. Patriotic festivities take place at Kennedy Park,1675 East Madison Avenue, across the street from Granite Hills High School. This daylong event starts with a
IT’S A BLAST: LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS SHOW & MUSIC FEST WILL GO ON
July 4, 2009 (Lake Murray) – Thanks to last-minute donations from community members, Navajo Events announced today that ample funds have been raised to have tonight’s 4th of July fireworks show at Lake Murray, capping off an all-day Music Fest. Music kicks off at noon for the event, which is free. Here’s the entertainment lineup: 12:00-1:00pm – Pullman
SOCK HOP, FONZIE LOOK-ALIKE CONTEST AT MAJOR’S DINER 50TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY IN PINE VALLEY JULY 11
July 1, 2009 (Pine Valley) – Happy Days are here again — Major’s Diner is turning 50! To celebrate reaching the half-century mark, Pine Valley’s ‘50s style diner is hosting a sock hop, Fonzie look-alike contest, and showing off vintage ‘50s cars. In addition, prices will be rolled back to the 1959 menu—with 29 cent hamburgers and 10 cent coffee
EAST COUNTY SKIES TO LIGHT UP ON 4th OF JULY: FIREWORKS SHOWS LISTED COUNTYWIDE
July 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–No need to endure bumper-to-bumper traffic to watch fireworks at the beach areas. Instead, grab a blanket, beach chairs and your favorite refreshments, then head to one of the East County or North County inland areas listed below. (For those whose family festivities may lead you to venture west of I-15, we’ve also included all fireworks
EAST COUNTY EATER: SIAMESE WINS–BASIL THAI BISTRO AND BASIL THAI DINER
By the East County Eater June 30, 2009 (East County)–Watching “Anna and the King of Siam” is the closest I’ve come to visiting Thailand. But if dining at Basil Thai Bistro is a reflection of what Thailand is like – I wanna go. From exquisite food to exotic décor, Basil Thai is a true dining out adventure. The interior has
VIGIL COMMEMORATES ASSAULT ON GAY ACTIVIST IN LEMON GROVE, COMMUNITY LEADERS CALL FOR TOLERANCE
By Miriam Raftery June 28, 2009 (Lemon Grove) – Gay rights supporters from throughout San Diego County held a candlelight vigil Friday in Lemon Grove, denouncing the assault on San Diego Pride director Ron DeHarte during a gay rights rally in Lemon Grove earlier this month (http://www.eastcountymagazine.org/?q=node/1370). Leaders also cited a savage assault in San Diego that left a
APPLES ON PARADE IN JULIAN JULY FOURTH
June 8, 2009 (Julian)–The Julian Fourth of July parade joins the town’s Apple Centennial Celebration when it steps out on Main Street this year. The parade, an annual event for more than 15 years and dubbed by many as the "best little town parade in America," has adopted As American as Apple Pie as its theme. It celebrates the 100-year
LA MESA DENIES FUNDS TO HELP SAVE LAKE MURRAY FIREWORKS; BAKE SALE SATURDAY PLANNED IN HOPES OF RAISING $4,000 STILL NEEDED
June 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)—The City of La Mesa denied a request from Navajo Events to provide funding for the annual fireworks show at Lake Murray. “The 4th of July Fireworks Music Fest is just over $4,000 short of being a reality, so with all of our participation, we can make it happen!” Pam Melody of Navajo Events
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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