East County Magazine
Christmas with the wild animals at Lions Tigers & Bears
East County News Service Nov. 18, 2025 (Alpine) — Lions Tigers & Bears, San Diego County’s lone accredited animal sanctuary is getting ready for the winter holidays. The nonprofit organization is holding Christmas with the Animals Fundraiser in December at its 142-acre site in Alpine. The event will include gift-giving, holiday lights and music, and will support ongoing
Marinelli Brothers Circus brings big top shows to El Cajon Nov. 12 – Dec. 5
East County News Service November 6, 2025 (El Cajon) – A brand new circus is coming to San Diego’s East County. The Marinelli Brothers Circus brings its brand-new production titled “A New Experience”, bringing its signature mix of magic, heart-pounding excitement, and family fun to Parkway Plaza November 12 – December 5. An entertaining outing for families, the Marinelli
La Mesa Tree Lighting Ceremony Coming Nov. 7
East County News Service Nov. 4, 2025 (La Mesa) — La Mesa City Council member Laura Lothian and The Cohn Restaurant Group are partnering to transform a tree at a local downtown La Mesa restaurant into a Christmas tree with a special star on top. Casa Gabriela will be the site of the towering 80-foot tall Christmas tree,
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 impact on the lives of the unhoused in Lemon Grove. The club is asking for new sock donations to help local non-profits provide warmth and comfort during the cold winter months. The
Thousands of San Diegans receive emergency food assistance at Snapdragon Stadium amid federal shutdown
The Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank partners with the State of California, City of San Diego, and San Diego State University to provide relief for CalFresh recipients impacted by the federal benefit pause. East County News Service November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — In a powerful show of community partnership and coordination, the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego
San Diego-based International Relief Teams responds to Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica
East County News Service Photo via Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness on X November 3, 2025 (San Diego) — International Relief Teams (IRT) in San Diego is actively responding to the widespread devastation in Jamaica caused by Hurricane Melissa. Entire communities have been left without safe shelter, access to clean water, food, or basic medicines. A press release from the
Save a life, honor a Legend at Bill Walton Memorial Blood Drive on Nov. 5
Last year’s inaugural Bill Walton Memorial Blood Drive hosted by the San Diego Blood Bank was in Mission Valley. This year’s Nov. 5 drive will be at Grossmont Center, in Walton’s hometown. Photo by Karen Pearlman East County News Service Oct. 30, 2025 (La Mesa) — The San Diego Blood Bank is calling on the community to roll
Pala Band of Mission Indians invites community to honor local heroes at Veterans Day celebration
Source: Pala Band of Mission Indians October 29, 2025 (Pala) – The Pala Band of Mission Indians and Pala Veterans Program will honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans with a Veterans Day celebration on Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The event will start at 9:00 a.m. with the Presentation of Colors and remarks from guest speakers, followed by a community
Little Black Dress event at Goodwill starts in November
East County News Service Oct. 25, 2025 (San Diego County) — Goodwill Industries of San Diego County‘s Little Black Dress event featuring a custom gown by top designer Evan Hirsch is set to begin in November. Goodwill San Diego’s Little Black Dress (LBD) event is when stores in the region will showcase a wide selection of LBDs, shoes
Seven women honored at East County Chamber WILL event
East County News Service Oct. 23, 2025 (East County) — The San Diego Regional East County Chamber of Commerce awarded a group of top females from around the county last Friday at its 23rd annual Women in Leadership event. The Women in Leadership Luncheon, with more than 450 attendees at Sycuan Casino, honored seven women who excel professionally and as
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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
ARRIBA! CINCO DE MAYO FIESTA AT SAVANNA GRILL
April 29, 2009 (El Cajon)—No need to venture south of the border to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! The Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Cinco de Mayo grand opening party at Savanna Grill complete with music, mariachis, mariachis and Mexican-style food–and the public is welcome to join the fiesta. Savanna Grill is located at 3773 Willow Glen
NEW LIFE AFTER FIRES AT SILVERWOOD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
By Miriam Raftery House finch May 1, 2009 (Lakeside)—Towering wild lilacs line trails at Silverwood Wildlife Sanctuary in Lakeside, where signs of new life abound five and a half years after the Cedar Fire. New trunks sprout forth from charred oaks. Wildflowers abound—including monkey flowers and golden eardrops—species never seen here before the fire. Bluebirds, gold finches, juncos, house wrens
Circus Brings Smiles to Young and Old
BIG RIDE: Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce leader Valerie Harrison (front) joins East County Magazine Editor Miriam Raftery and Caroline Braun from Supervisor Dianne Jacob’s aboard an elephant at the Carson & Barnes Circus. May 3, 2009(San Diego’s East County)–Hosted by the Rancho San Diego-Jamul Chamber of Commerce, the world-renowned Carson & Barnes Circus presented a dazzling performance in
MONSIGNOR RECALLS HARROWING ESCAPE FROM IRAQ IN INTERVIEW AT CHALDEAN FESTIVAL
May 3, 2009 (El Cajon)—Over 1,000 people turned out to sample Middle Eastern cuisine, dancing and wine-tasting at the third annual Chaldean Food Festival . Held at St. Michael’s Chaldean Catholic church in El Cajon, the event celebrates the culture of San Diego County’s 15,000 to 20,000 Chaldean Christians. Most are refugees from war-torn Iraq—including Monsignor Polis Khammi, who escaped
GROSSMONT COLLEGE HONORS EL CAJON POLICE CHIEF IN WALK OF FAME
By Miriam Raftery May 2, 2009 (El Cajon)—El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco was inducted into the Grossmont College “Walk of Fame” yesterday at a ceremony in which he was honored by Congressman Duncan D. Hunter (photo) and other local leaders. Sprecco, a 1976 graduate of Grossmont, praised his fellow police officers, then revealed that he drew inspiration from his
WILD IN THE COUNTRY: MAY 9 AT LIONS, TIGERS & BEARS
May 3, 2009 (Alpine) –Looking for a truly wild night out? Dust off your boots for a hoedown with the Country Cats at Lions, Tigers & Bears, San Diego County’s only wild cat rescue facility. The event features a barbecue, visits with exotic big cats and other ranch animals, “Splash” performing artists, plus a silent and live auction hosted by
FREE PROM DRESSES! OPERATION FAIRY GODMOTHER TODAY, MAY 2
May 2, 2009 (San Diego)—It sounds too good to be true—but it’s real! Operation Fairy Godmother, a program offered by the Soroptomists International of Valle de Oro, will be giving away free prom dresses to all girls who present a valid high school I.D. card today. Now you can be like Cinderella. (Sorry, Prince Charming is not included.) The Soroptomists
ROCKOLA! BEATLES TRIBUTE BAND CONCERT OPENS SPRING FEST IN ALLIED GARDENS FRIDAY NIGHT
Allied Gardens (April 29, 2009) – Spring Fest, one of East County’s favorite community parties kicks off Friday night, May 1st at 6 p.m. with a concert by Rockola. Bring your dancing shoes! Enjoy classic rock ‘n’ roll music as well as food, a beer garden, and more. Known for their Beatles tributes, Rockola has concert clips you can view
GOOD BET: POKER FUNDRAISER & RIDE MAY 9; EVENT TO BENEFIT WARNER SPRINGS AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT
April 29, 2009 (Warner Springs)—Feeling lucky? Join a Poker Ride Fundraiser to benefit the Warner Springs Agriculture Department on May 9th. A $75 entry fee includes entry into a 7-card-stud poker tournament, tri-tip barbecue lunch at Lake Henshaw Resort, apple pie and ice cream from the Julian Café served up at Jess Martin Park in Julian, a $10 free slot
EL CAJON POLICE CHIEF JOINS GROSSMONT COLLEGE WALK OF FAME
April 28, 2009 (El Cajon)–On Friday, May 1, the Grossmont College Foundation will induct El Cajon Police Chief Pat Sprecco into their Walk of Fame for 2009. The public is cordially invited to attend the ceremonies honoring Chief Sprecco that will start at 9:00 a.m. at Grossmont College’s Main Quad area; this is following the conclusion of the San Diego
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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