East County Magazine
New blockbuster set in Borrego already a big hit in San Diego County
By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office Photo: Zach Pope, Youtube screenshot September 24, 2025 (San Diego) – It doesn’t arrive in theaters until Friday, but a new blockbuster movie generating Oscar buzz has already been a big financial hit for San Diego County. “One Battle After Another,” a new Warner Bros. movie starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Benicio del
Bonitafest melodrama “Here Comes the Sun” recalls ill-fated attempt to silence Southwestern’s student newspaper
Source: Bonitafest Photo: campus police officer threatens to arrest the newspaper faculty advisor for refusing to turn over students in the 48th annual Bonitafest Melodrama “Here Comes The Sun,” based on the true story of the 2010 South Bay Corruption Scandal story broken by Southwestern College journalism students. Pictured (l-r) Randy Phillips, Ella Aldridge, Dalia Candelario, Alec Zelaya, Kloie Blunt-Coleman, Sofia Petroulias
East County Eater: Happy Hour at Casa Gabriela features authentic Mexican cuisine, elevated
By Paul Levikow Photo, left: mural of talented chef Gabriela “Gaby” Lopez September 20, 2025 (La Mesa) – Casa Gabriela in the La Mesa Village has a first-rate, affordable Happy Hour that features unique, scrumptious food full of flavor, and a list of drink specials including both alcoholic and non-alcoholic varieties. The food is not just delicious, it’s presented well.
Newsom signs laws to resist Trump’s immigration crackdown; including ban on masks for ICE agents
By Cayla Mihalovich and Jeanne Kuang, CalMatters This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. September 20, 2025 (Sacramento) – Gov. Gavin Newsom today signed a set of bills meant to check the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration crackdown in California, including a first-in-the nation measure to prohibit officers from wearing masks and others that limit their
Destination East County: October outings
East County News Service September 17, 2025 (San Diego’s East County) — October brings Oktoberfest celebrations in La Mesa and El Cajon and Borrego Days in the desert, as well as an array of spooky events such as a haunted circus, haunted trails in county parks, a Day of the Dead celebration, Hauntfest on Main in El Cajon, a haunted
Top hat and tails is theme of La Mesa Chamber’s Salute to Local Heroes Oct. 8
September 19, 2025 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Chamber of Commerce announces its 15th annual Salute to Local Heroes, which will incorporate the theme “Top Hat & Tails” This night celebrates local heroes, recognizes the incoming Chamber Board of Directors, includes a silent auction, raffles and more. This event will be held on October 8 from 5:30 p.m. to
Adams Avenue Street Fair is this weekend
East County News Service Sept. 18, 2025 (San Diego) — The free two-day Adams Avenue Street Fair, considered San Diego’s favorite music festival, and attended by more than 50,000 people in Normal Heights, is happening this weekend, Saturday, Sept. 20 and Sunday, Sept. 21. Presented by San Diego Foundation, the 43rd annual Adams Avenue Street Fair features 75 musical acts
HauntFest Headed to El Cajon in October
East County News Service Sept. 18, 2025 (El Cajon) — Spooky fun is coming to downtown El Cajon with the annual HauntFest in October. The community-centered event that typically draws more than 20,000 people, is set for 4 to 9 p.m., Friday, Oct. 17. The city says that the annual free Halloween block party is the largest in
Lemon Fest coming to St. John of the Cross this weekend
East County News Service Sept. 17, 2025 (Lemon Grove) — The annual St. John of the Cross Catholic Parish Fall Festival, the Lemon Fest, is coming to the church on Broadway this weekend. The community event, from 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 20 and from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 21, will feature a car show and
Church hosts Compassion Experience Sept. 19-21 on global child poverty
East County News Service Photo: Compassion Experience participants step into the global mission field without leaving the country. September 17, 2025 (San Diego) — College Avenue Church in San Diego will host Compassion Experience, an immersive experience transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works on Sept. 19-21. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children
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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