
East County Magazine

Photos of the Week: Crest Celebrates Independence Day
July 6, 2026 (Crest, CA) – Paul Levikow sent in these photos from the 79th Crest Fourth of July Parade near Nancy Jane County Park. Parade watchers lined La Cresta Blvd. and Suncrest Blvd., to watch motorcycles, offroad vehicles, bicycles, classic cars, floats, and equestrians. The community event also included a live band, crafts, venders, food, and even
Alligator Alcatraz: A Florida ‘Concentration Camp’
By Alexander J Schorr July 4, 2025 (Everglades, FL) — Nearby President Trump’s Miami resort in the swamplands of the Florida Everglades sits a makeshift detention facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz,” the latest in his administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. Andrea Pitzer, author of One Long Night: A Global History of Concentration Camps, writes in an editorial published on MSNBC, “I visited four

Haute with Heart Fashion Show Aug. 2 Benefits St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center
By Heidi Hope July 4, 2025 (El Cajon) – You’re welcome to join in the spirit of London at the 47th annual Haute with Heart Fashion Show benefiting the nonprofit St. Madeleine Sophie’s Center in El Cajon. The event will celebrate British fashion and culture. This fashion show on Saturday, August 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A Lavender and Camel Oasis in Ramona
By Mimi Pollack July 4, 2025 (Ramona) — A nice place to retreat from the hustle and bustle of San Diego and escape to the countryside is Ramona, especially when you are walking around and enjoying the lavender fields at the new Camel Valley Lavender Farm on Old Julian Highway. It is next to the Oasis Camel Dairy and getting

Pizzabilities in Alpine Serves Up Build-Your-Own Pizza and Inclusive Opportunities for Employees
Pam Baker and her granddaughter Grace Baker at Pizzabilities in Alpine Story and photos by Karen Pearlman July 2, 2025 (Alpine) – Any way you slice it, Pizzabilities, Alpine’s newest addition to the culinary scene, is about to serve the community in some of the most delicious and unexpected ways. While Pizzabilities serves delicious pies, it is

Festive Fourth of July Events and Fireworks
By Karen Pearlman June 25, 2025 (San Diego County) – Independence Day in the USA is just days away, and across San Diego County, there are myriad events to be part of to celebrate. East County Magazine has compiled a list of various offerings to celebrate the Fourth of July, whatever part of the region you’re in.

Roaring ’20s Fashion Show Sept. 27 Benefits Lemon Grove Charities
East County News Service July 3, 2025 (Lemon Grove) – You’re invited to step into the splendor of the Jazz Age at a Roaring Twenties Fashion Show event benefitting the Lemon Grove Forward Club and the Southern District Women’s Club. The event on Saturday, September 27 will feature a glamourous day of style and community purpose featuring a luncheon and

“ICE Out” Marchers in El Cajon Take Stand for Immigrants as Concerns Over ICE Raids and Abuse of Detainees Grows
By Miriam Raftery Photos and videos by Shiloh Ireland “It’s my duty…to speak up for other people that currently are scared… I know what it feels like to be undocumented and having to be living in the shadows for fear of being deported.” – Carlos Gomez Perez, an Iraq War combat veteran who earned a Silver Star medal of valor.

McCann Concedes; Aguirre Wins Supervisor Seat
By Miriam Raftery July 2, 2025 (San Diego) – Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre has declared victory in the 1st Supervisorial district special election, after her opponent, Chula Vista Mayor John McCann, conceded the race. Aguirre issued this statement, “Whether you voted for me or not, I’m ready to work my heart out to bring down costs, protect our health,

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: RACCOONS IN SAN CARLOS
June 30, 2025 (San Diego) – Diana Rozenshteyn snapped this photos of masked intruders– a raccoon family– in the backyard of her San Carlos home near Cowles Mountain. You can view more of her work at her website, San Diego in Bloom | Nature Photography by Diana Rozenshteyn. Printer-friendly version
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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.
PUMPED UP: CHAPARRAL HIGH STUDENTS TAKE ON POLICE IN SHOW OF STRENGTH
Campus Supervisor Tim Wargo (left), Resource Officer Steve Paz, and Officer Joe Crawford spot student Brandon Lawtum-Grindle Annual bench-press competition fosters trust between El Cajon Police Officers and at-risk teens. By Gayle Early March 25, 2009 (El Cajon)—Twenty-three Chaparral Continuation High School students flexed their muscles last week during a weight-lifting competition with members of the El Cajon Police Department
TAKING ROOT: VICTORY GARDENS SPROUT IN SAN DIEGO
April 2, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego Roots, in coordination with several grassroots food and gardening groups, announces the formation of Victory Gardens San Diego. The group’s mission is to encourage and assist in the development of sustainable, healthy, Earth-friendly home, community and school food gardens throughout the San Diego area. The movement aims to foster appreciation for the taste of
ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STILL BLOOMING IN HIGHER ELEVATIONS
Wildflower Hike Planned April 16. April 1, 2009 (Borrego Springs) – It’s not too late to see Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in bloom. As we move past the peak flower time, the show is moving from the desert floor to canyons and higher elevations, where there are a wide variety of plants just beginning to bloom. Anza-Borrego Institute will offer
EAST COUNTY EATER – THE VINE WINE BAR & BISTRO: VINTAGE CHARM IN ALPINE
2502 Alpine Blvd., Alpine CA 91901 (619)722-7046 www.visitthevine.net April 1, 2009 (Alpine) — Let me recommend a sure-fire place to unwind. The Vine Wine Bar & Bistro in Alpine is situated in a cozy wooden building with hand-hewn beams and split-rail trim, reminiscent of places sure to be found in the back-closets of our memories. Places surrounded by trees

REMINDER! JOIN THE FUN TONIGHT AT A “HOT TIME AT HOOLEYS” WITH EAST COUNTY MAGAZINE!
August 12, 2009 – We sold out — but had a handful of cancellations so there are just a few tickets left for tonight’s "Have a Hot Time at Hooleys with East County Magazine." Festivities are from 6-9 p.m. at Hooleys Irish Pub & Grill in Grossmont Center. Tickets cost $25 or $20 for Chamber of Commerce members or members of sponsoring organizations. Printer-friendly
APRIL 2009 FESTIVALS OF THE MONTH: PARTIES, A PARADE, RODEO, RIVER BLITZ AND MUCH MORE
By Miriam Raftery April 1, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–Aloha! Viejas teams up with El Cajon to host a brand new festival on Saturday, April 4. The new "It’s 5’clock Somewhere Party" includes transformation of a downtown warehouse into an inland "beach" paradise complete with tiki bar, Hawaiian food and music by Shipwrecked, a Jimmy Buffet-style band. Also this weekend,
JESSE LAMONACA HEADLINES AT CUYAMACA COLLEGE COYOTE MUSIC FESTIVAL MAY 1
Jesse LaMonaca April 1,2009 (El Cajon) — The Cuyamaca College Music Industry Studies program is proud to announce the Coyote Music Festival on May 1, 2009 on the grand lawn of Cuyamaca College. The event will feature 6 San Diego acts playing original music during the late afternoon concert: Jesse Lamonaca, Regina Leonard, Silent Lune, Goodnight Caulfield, Rhythm and the
LOCAL GROUP HELPS WOMEN IN SUDAN: MARCH 29 WALK FOR DARFUR PLANNED HERE
By Miriam Raftery March 26, 2009 (San Diego)–Horrified to learn that women in Darfur were being attacked by soldiers when they would go out to gather wood for cooking, San Diego-based Voices of Women started raising funds to send solar-powered stoves to the women of Darfur. "They can keep a pot boiling 24/7," VOW founder Jenni Prisk said of the
LA MESA VILLAGE ANTIQUE STREET FAIRE
March 26, 2009 (La Mesa)–”Step back in time in La Mesa’s downtown village on Sunday, March 29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Antique Street Faire. During the annual event,, La Mesa Boulevard is closed and antique dealers from far and wide set out their wares. Reminiscent of an old fashioned Midwest flea market, the event features live
SPRING BREAK! WHERE TO HAVE FUN IF YOU’RE STAYING IN TOWN
March 26, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) — With the economy in the tank, many college students are staying in San Diego over spring break. So after you get sunburned at the beach, what’s there to do for the rest of the week? Check out our guide to the coolest spots to have fun in San Diego’s eastern region. IT’S
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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.