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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THIS WEEK IN EAST COUNTY: DESERT IN BLOOM & MUCH MORE
March 19, 2009 (San Diego’s East County)–What’s up this weekend and next week? Plenty! Flowers are still in bloom in portions of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Stop by the visitor center for info on best viewing areas to view wildflowers; also ask for tips on where to spot bighorn sheep, including young lambs. There’s lots more coming up in East
ALL ABOARD! SD LAS HERMANAS HOSTS CASINO FUNDRAISER ON RIVERBOAT
March 17, 2009 (San Diego)–San Diego Las Hermanas, a group of East County women who raise money for East County charities, is hosting Casino Night with the San Diego Las Hermanas Riverboat Queens on Friday, March 27. The spring fundraiser is being held aboard the William D. Evans Riverboat, launching from the Bahia Hotel in Mission Bay. The San
OLAF WIEGHORST HISTORICAL HOME TO OPEN MARCH 19
Story and photos by Miriam Raftery Olaf Wieghorst historic home March 11, 2009 (El Cajon) — Recently designated a historic site by the City of El Cajon, the long-time home of famed western artist Olaf Wieghorst will open to the public on Thursday, March 19th at 4 p.m. In an exclusive interview with East County Magazine, the artist’s son,
EL CAJON’S ANNUAL DANCE RECITAL IS BACK: MARCH 22 EVENT AT ECPAC INVOLVES THE YOUNG & YOUNG AT HEART
March 12, 2009 (El Cajon)–The City of El Cajon Recreation Department will hold its much anticipated Annual Dance and Tumbling Recital at the East County Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 22, 2009, from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This event has been a highlight in the City for over 20 years. This year’s recital, "Dance And Tumble–Through The Decades!"
SDSU STUDENTS ORGANIZE ART RELIEF EVENT MARCH 14 TO BENEFIT KATRINA VICTIMS; PLAN TRIP TO NEW ORLEANS MARCH 28-APRIL 4.
By Matt Schauer March 8, 2009 (San Diego) — An Art Relief Auction on March 14th will raise funds to benefit College Students for New Orleans, a non-profit organization intent on rebuilding homes in New Orleans and restoring lives of people affected by Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Katrina. We travel to Louisiana four times a year with groups as small
NEW ORLEANS JUST MIGHT BE THE PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT
By Maia Neubig Maia Neubig is an SDSU senior who traveled to New Orleans on two separate occasions as part of the Art Relief effort. The best part about the trips are the people down there, they are some of the nicest, most caring people I have ever met in my life. They truly love and appreciate every one of
MISS LA MESA AND MISS SANTEE QUEENS CROWNED
Santee Mayor, Randy Voepel presenting Sierra Billock and Nicole Ehlke La Mesa Mayor, Art Madrid presenting Stephanie Packard and Katarina Schweitzer March 10, 2009 (Santee) — Cheers and tears of joy greeted the crowning of Miss La Mesa and Miss Santee on Friday, March 6, 2009. The pageants have been a tradition in the two cities since the late 1960’s,
EIGHT YEARS AFTER SANTANA AND GRANITE HILLS SHOOTINGS, PEACE PATROL PROGRAM TEACHES NONVIOLENCE; ROTARY AWARDS PEACEMAKER AWARD TO STUDENT EVY PONCE
By Miriam Raftery Evelyn Ponce, 9, receives Peace Award from La Mesa-Sunrise Rotary Club President David Roberts (Miriam Raftery) March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — The La Mesa Sunrise Rotary chapter has presented its Peacemaker of the Year Award to Evelyn (Evy) Ponce, a nine-year-old student at Lexington Elementary School in El Cajon to honor her “outstanding work” with Peace
COCONUTS SPA BRINGS TOUCH OF TROPICS TO LA MESA
By Miriam Raftery Bob Lyon and his wife, Deedee March 8, 2009 (La Mesa) — Luau foods, seashell leis, and other touches of the tropics greeted guests at the grand opening of Coconuts Salon & Day Spa in La Mesa this weekend. Located behind the Brigantine Restaurant at 9340 Fuerte Drive, the salon formerly known as Transformations has been transformed
SANTREE FEST AND EARTH DAY CELEBRATION MARCH 14
March 10, 2009 (Santee)–Santee invites the public to participate in "SanTree Fest," an Earth Day celebration from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 14th at Mast Park, located at 9125 Carlton Hills Blvd. Festivities begin at 9:45 with a nature walk departing from a trail entrance at the northwest side of the Wal-Mart parking lot. A community tree
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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