
East County Magazine

Karnival of the Arts coming to DeAnza Springs April 30 through May 3
East County News Service March 24, 2026 (Jacumba Hot Springs) — Performance art and music will collide and combine in concert in the high desert…

Celebration of Olaf Wieghorst in downtown El Cajon on May 2
East County News Service April 23, 2026 (El Cajon) — The Olaf Wieghorst Museum is hosting a birthday remembrance next month, celebrating the life of its namesake artist widely regarded as the “Dean of Western Art.” The museum is hosting “Olaf Wieghorst Day,” from 3 to 6 p.m., Saturday, May 2, and will offer a deep dive into the history of the

Villa Musica expanding to East County for 20th anniversary
East County News Service April 22, 2026 (El Cajon) — For two decades, the halls of Villa Musica’s Sorrento Valley headquarters have been alive with a specific kind of beautiful chaos — the steady thumps on the drum, soaring scales of soprano singers and the first notes of student violinists. Now with Villa Musica is celebrating its 20th anniversary, the

Eight local women Honored at Soroptimist’s annual “Live Your Dream” Awards Celebration
Soroptimist International of Valley de Oro recognizes women overcoming extraordinary obstacles to build better lives through education By Henri Migala Photo: Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award winners. Seated (left to right): Dr. Peggy Fischer, DVM, Valley de Oro Club Chair; Tenisha Back row (left to right): Sue Bucheman (member); Nancy Waters (member); Kayleen; Susie Hoolihan (Club Treasurer); Metilde; Rasha; Flor;

Federal judge: Continued Border Patrol sweeps in California violated court order
By Wendy Fry and Sergio Olmos, CalMatters. This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Photo: a line of federal immigration agents and protesters stand-off near the Glass House Farms facility outside Camarillo on July 10, 2025. Protesters gathered after federal immigration agents conducted an immigration raid earlier in the day. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local April 18, 2026 (Sacramento)

How the fruit fly quarantine has impacted food donations — and how you can help
By Philicia Tonangoye Image: Tangerines, via Bing (cc) April 18, 2026 (San Diego’s East County) – The Mexican fruit fly quarantine has reduced donations of fresh produce to local food pantries, since organizations such as Produce Good mainly rely on backyard harvests to help community members in need. Home growers are not allowed to move their backyard products in the

Jamul Casino Resort gets two film awards
Water Sweet – The Story of Jamul” Earns Top Honors at AAF Reno ADDY Awards East County News Service April 1, 2026 (Jamul) – Jamul Casino Resort has been recognized with two prestigious ADDY Awards from AAF Reno, earning a Gold ADDY and Best of Show in the Corporate Social Responsibility category for “Water Sweet – The Story of

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 to Julian north from Ramona can oftentimes overlook two equally charming communities along the way. Some might even think Santa Ysabel, population around 600, and Wynola with about 200 residents,

Lionel’s Legacy hosting sleepover party and more in Lakeside April 18-19
East County News Service April 14, 2026 (Lakeside) — East County-based senior dog rescue group Lionel’s Legacy is holding a day of games, community and advocacy on Saturday, April 18 at the Rock House in Lakeside. The first-ever “Canine Carnival” is set for April 18 while a slumber party that starts that night will take visitors into more activities the morning and

Mountain Empire Art Show Debuts April 15 in Boulevard
East County News Service April 14, 2026 (Boulevard) — The Backcountry Resource Center in Boulevard will be busy this Wednesday, April 15 hosting the first-ever Mountain Empire Art Show 2026, opening at 4 p.m. and the Boulevard-Jacumba Town Hall Event at 6:30 p.m. The first annual Mountain Empire Art Show is an act of advocacy for the vibrant and sometimes hidden gem
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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.
SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS CONCERT: SUNDAY, APRIL 19 IN EL CAJON
By Miriam Raftery April 10, 2009 (El Cajon)—Grossmont Community Concert Association will present a Scholarship Winners Concert featuring performers honored by Music Scholarship Council. The concert will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 19th at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas in El Cajon. “Come to hear gifted young musicians and be inspired and uplifted,” the
SPRING EGGSTRAVAGANZA AT SANTEE LAKES
April 9, 2009 (Santee)—Carnival rides, a petting zoo, crafts, food, inflatables and pony rides are among the attractions planned for “Eggstravaganza at Santee Lakes” on Saturday, April 11th. Continuous egg hunts will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Egg hunts are limited to children eight and younger. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand—and “hoppy” to have
WILL POWER REPORT: A FISH STORY
Nothing but the Truth! By Will Power April 7, 2009 San Diego)–A tragic event happened on a Southern California fishing boat this week. A deckhand, hoping to amuse some children on an “Educational” Fishing Trip, stuck a live fish in his mouth. The fish logged in the man’s windpipe and he was suffocated. But it is the fish, not the
WILL POWER REPORT: A SKUNK IN A SACK!
Nothing But the Truth! By Will Power March 24, 2009 (San Diego–If the US Government has learned anything from the botched bail-out, it should be not to trust the bankers to clean up their old messes. Now comes the real can of worms. Somebody is going to have to take the putrid can of bad loans created by Wall Street,
FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER IS A MODEL OF SUCCESS FOR HEARTLAND LIONS CLUB
By Miriam Raftery Models Emily Withers-Roberts, Penny Shidner, Judy Godde, and Monica Zech March 28, 2009 (El Cajon)—Local celebrities including former TV and radio broadcaster Monica Zech strutted their stuff as runway models in the 21st annual Touch of Spring Fashion Show and Silent Auction to benefit the Heartland Lions Club. Held at the Elks Lodge in El Cajon, the
O’DUNN FINE ART GALLERY OPENS IN LA MESA
By Rachel Ford Hutman Photo by Tim Thomas Pastelist Molly Lipsher, oil painter Jack Jordan, Paul Henricksen, La Mesa Chamber CEO Mary England, gallery owner Shannon O’Dunn, Mayor Art Madrid, Miss La Mesa Stephanie Packard, and Miss La Mesa Teen Katrina Schweitzer. March 29, 2009 (La Mesa)—Art aficionados flocked to the grand opening of O’Dunn Fine Art Gallery Thursday evening
WILL POWER REPORT: HEALTHCARE–RESTRICTIONS MAY APPLY
COLUMN: THE WILL POWER REPORT: Nothing but the Truth! *Restrictions May Apply June 6, 2009 (San Diego)–The US Private Health Insurance companies have started their TV blitz to stop government health care. Do we have the political will to defy these clowns? There are many inherent problems with for-profit Health Care. Obviously, making a profit is the primary goal. To
DESERT DREAMS: LOOK WHAT’S NEW UNDER THE SUN AT ANZA-BORREGO
Wild horse sculptures By Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (Borrego)—Visitors to Anza-Borrego may be startled by the vision of life-sized metal sculptures of dinosaurs, mastodons and other prehistoric creatures rising from the desert floor like sentinels of a forgotten era. Other sculptures portray wild horses, birds of prey, tortoises, a saber-tooth tiger and Native American themes. The creations by sculptor
HOP TO GROSSMONT CENTER SATURDAY: EASTER BUNNY TO HIDE OVER 1500 EGGS AT LA MESA MALL
April 2, 2009 (La Mesa)—Grossmont Center is hosting an Easter egg hunt with treats for all visitors on april 11th from 9-10 a.m. in Macy’s Courtyard. The festivities include meeting the Easter bunny, prizes, giveaways and refreshments. Bring your own basket to hunt for over 1,500 colorfully decorated eggs. The event is free. The Easter bunny’s hut located in Macy’s
EDITORIAL: AN OPEN LETTER TO JANET NAPOLITANO, SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY, REGARDING ALAN BERSIN–A TOP CANDIDATE FOR U.S. CUSTOMS & BORDER PATROL TOP SLOT
By Ernie McRay Editor’s Note: Alan Bersin has served as Superintendent of Public Education in San Diego City Schools and was appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as California Secretary of Education. He is now in the running to head up the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol. Dear Secretary Napolitano: April 1, 2009(San Diego)–I write this letter because Alan Bersin is
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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.